Description
Craving a classic dessert that captures the essence of fall? Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp, inspired by Ina Garten’s recipe, combines juicy, spiced apples with a buttery, oatmeal-crumb topping for a warm, comforting treat
Ingredients
Filling
- 5 pounds McIntosh or Macoun apples: Sweet-tart and tender when baked.
- Grated zest of 1 orange: Adds bright, citrusy depth.
- Grated zest of 1 lemon: Enhances with tangy notes.
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice: Brightens the apples.
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice: Balances sweetness.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the filling.
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon: Adds warm spice.
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg: Provides earthy warmth.
Topping
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour: Forms the crumble’s base.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the topping.
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed: Adds caramel-like depth.
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt: Balances sweetness.
- 1 cup old-fashioned oatmeal: Adds hearty texture.
- ½ pound (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, diced: Creates a rich, crumbly topping.
Why These Ingredients Matter
- Apples: McIntosh or Macoun break down slightly for a soft, juicy filling.
- Citrus Zest and Juice: Enhance fruit flavors and add brightness.
- Spices: Cinnamon and nutmeg bring cozy, warm notes.
- Oatmeal Topping: Combines with butter and sugars for a crunchy contrast to the soft apples.
Substitutions and Variations
- Apples: Swap with Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for a tarter or firmer texture; adjust sugar if needed.
- Flour: Use gluten-free 1:1 flour for gluten-free.
- Sugar: Replace granulated sugar with coconut sugar or reduce to ⅓ cup for less sweetness.
- Butter: Use plant-based butter for vegan or reduce to 1 ½ sticks for a lighter topping.
- Oatmeal: Substitute with rolled oats or gluten-free oats; avoid instant oats.
- Citrus Zest/Juice: Omit zest and increase juice by 1 tablespoon, or use lime for a twist.
- Vegan Option: Use plant-based butter and ensure sugars are vegan-friendly.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour and oats; ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Flavor Variations:
- Spiced Apple Crisp: Add ½ teaspoon ground ginger or cardamom to the filling.
- Nutty Apple Crisp: Mix ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts into the topping.
- Berry Apple Crisp: Add 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries or blueberries to the filling.
- Maple Apple Crisp: Replace granulated sugar in the filling with ⅓ cup maple syrup.
- Caramel Apple Crisp: Drizzle with ¼ cup caramel sauce before serving.
Instructions
Step 1: Gather and Prep
- Gather all ingredients: 5 pounds McIntosh or Macoun apples, zest and juice of 1 orange and 1 lemon, ½ cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1 teaspoon nutmeg; for topping, 1 ½ cups flour, ¾ cup granulated sugar, ¾ cup light brown sugar, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 1 cup oatmeal, ½ pound cold butter.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Butter a 9x14x2-inch oval baking dish.
- Peel, core, and cut apples into large wedges (about 1-inch pieces).
- Grate orange and lemon zest; squeeze fresh juices.
Tip: Soak apple wedges in lemon water to prevent browning; butter the dish generously to avoid sticking.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
- In a large bowl, combine apple wedges, orange zest, lemon zest, 2 tablespoons orange juice, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, ½ cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon nutmeg.
- Toss until apples are evenly coated.
- Pour the mixture into the buttered baking dish.
Tip: Toss gently to coat evenly; spread apples evenly in the dish for consistent baking.
Step 3: Make the Topping
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine 1 ½ cups flour, ¾ cup granulated sugar, ¾ cup light brown sugar, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 1 cup oatmeal, and ½ pound diced cold butter.
- Mix on low speed until the mixture is crumbly and the butter is pea-sized (about 1-2 minutes).
Tip: Keep butter cold for a crumbly texture; if no mixer, use a pastry cutter or fingers to blend until crumbly.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake
- Scatter the crumble topping evenly over the apples, covering them completely.
- Place the baking dish on a sheet pan to catch drips.
- Bake for 1 hour, until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbly.
Tip: Check at 50 minutes to avoid over-browning; cover with foil if the topping browns too quickly.
Step 5: Serve
- Serve warm, about ¾-1 cup per serving, optionally with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or custard.
- Pair with holiday dishes like herb-roasted turkey breast, creamy garlic mashed potatoes, or hot spinach and artichoke dip.
Tip: Let cool for 5-10 minutes for easier serving; scoop generously to include both filling and topping.