The Best Old Fashioned Cinnamon Apple Crisp Recipe Ever Made

Grandma’s cherished cinnamon apple crisp recipe brings warmth to any kitchen table.

Sweet memories flood back with each spoonful of this classic dessert.

crisp autumn days call for something comforting and deliciously nostalgic.

Fragrant apples mingle with a buttery, crumbly topping that melts in your mouth.

Sitting by the window, watching leaves dance outside while savoring this homemade treat.

Generations of bakers have perfected this simple yet incredible dessert.

This recipe promises to become your new favorite fall tradition – perfect for sharing and creating delightful moments together.

Why Old Fashioned Cinnamon Apple Crisp Feels So Cozy

• Savor Layers of Comfort: This Old Fashioned Cinnamon Apple Crisp delivers a heartwarming blend of soft, tender apples beneath a crunchy, buttery crumble that creates delightful textural contrast in every single bite.
• Whip Up Seasonal Simplicity: With just basic pantry ingredients and minimal prep work, this recipe transforms ordinary apples into an extraordinary dessert that celebrates fall flavors without complicated techniques or expensive components.
• Create Quick Family-Friendly Happiness: Ready in under an hour, this dessert brings everyone together with its irresistible aroma and nostalgic taste, making it perfect for casual weeknight treats or weekend gatherings that spark joy and connection.
• Customize with Delicious Ease: The recipe welcomes personal touches like swapping different apple varieties, adding nuts to the topping, or experimenting with spice levels, allowing home cooks to make the dessert uniquely their own without complex modifications.

What You’ll Need For Old Fashioned Cinnamon Apple Crisp

• Apples: Sweet and tender fruit that provides the main flavor and texture of the dessert. Choose firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best results.
• Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and prevents apple browning. Fresh lemon juice works best.

• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweeten the apple filling and create caramelization. Brown sugar adds deeper flavor complexity.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Warm spices that enhance the apple's natural sweetness. Ground spices provide the most consistent flavor.

• Flour, Oats: Create the crisp, crunchy topping with different textures. Use old-fashioned rolled oats for best results.
• Butter: Binds the crumble and provides rich, golden flavor. Unsalted butter allows better control of salt content.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

How To Bake Old Fashioned Cinnamon Apple Crisp

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank up your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a quick spray of cooking oil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Apple Magic

• Sliced crisp apples
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Nutmeg (optional but recommended)
• Fresh lemon juice
• All-purpose flour

Gently mix everything so each apple slice gets a delicious coating. Spread this golden mixture evenly across your prepared baking dish.

Step 3: Craft the Crunchy Topping

• All-purpose flour
• Rolled oats
• Brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Pour in melted butter and mix until the ingredients transform into a delightful, crumbly texture.

Step 4: Layer and Bake

Sprinkle the crumbly topping generously over the apple mixture. Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top turns a gorgeous golden brown and the apples become tender and bubbling.

Step 5: Indulge and Enjoy

Let the crisp cool for a few minutes to allow the flavors to mingle. Serve while still warm, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra decadence.

Tips To Get Old Fashioned Cinnamon Apple Crisp Just Right

• Select Apple Variety Wisely: Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and balanced sweetness in your crisp.
• Prevent Apple Browning: Toss sliced apples with lemon juice immediately to stop oxidation and maintain fresh, bright color.
• Achieve Perfect Crumble Texture: Mix dry crumble ingredients before adding melted butter, ensuring a crunchy, well-distributed topping that doesn't become soggy.
• Control Sweetness Levels: Adjust sugar quantities based on apple tartness and personal preference, allowing flexibility for different taste profiles.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Consider adding a pinch of ground ginger or nutmeg to the apple mixture for subtle, complex warming notes that complement the cinnamon.

How To Store And Reheat Old Fashioned Cinnamon Apple Crisp

• Refrigerate: Store leftover apple crisp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover with plastic wrap or a tight-fitting lid to maintain freshness and prevent the topping from getting soggy.
• Reheat Oven Method: Warm individual servings at 350F for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the topping from burning while ensuring the crisp stays moist.
• Microwave Option: Quickly reheat small portions for 30-45 seconds on medium power. The crisp might lose some crunchiness, but it will still taste delicious.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap the completely cooled crisp tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Best Pairings For Old Fashioned Cinnamon Apple Crisp

• Pair with Warm Vanilla Bourbon: Complement the cinnamon apple crisp with a smooth bourbon cocktail infused with vanilla, which echoes the dessert's warm spices and enhances its rich apple flavors.
• Match with Creamy Vanilla Gelato: Top the crisp with a scoop of smooth, cold vanilla gelato that creates a delightful temperature contrast and adds luxurious creaminess to the warm, spiced dessert.
• Serve alongside Spiced Chai Tea: Brew a hot, fragrant chai tea with its warming blend of cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger to perfectly mirror the dessert's comforting autumn-inspired profile.
• Enhance with Salted Caramel Drizzle: Drizzle a homemade salted caramel sauce over the crisp to intensify its sweetness and add a sophisticated depth that complements the apple and cinnamon notes.

Ways To Switch Up Old Fashioned Cinnamon Apple Crisp

• Harvest Berry Blend: Swap apples with a mix of seasonal berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries for a vibrant summer-inspired crisp.
• Caramel Pecan Upgrade: Add chopped pecans to the topping and drizzle caramel sauce over the finished crisp for extra richness and crunch.
• Tropical Mango Escape: Replace apples with ripe mangoes and add a sprinkle of coconut flakes to the crumble for a tropical flavor profile.
• Spiced Pear Comfort: Use ripe pears instead of apples and enhance the topping with ground ginger and cardamom for a warm, aromatic variation.

Old Fashioned Cinnamon Apple Crisp FAQ

• What makes an old fashioned apple crisp different from other apple desserts?

An old fashioned apple crisp focuses on simple, classic ingredients and a rustic preparation method. Unlike pies or tarts, it uses a crumbly oat-based topping that gives a delightful crunchy texture over softened, spiced apples.

• Can I use different types of apples for this recipe?

Absolutely! Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Braeburn are excellent choices. Mix two varieties for a more complex flavor. Avoid very soft apples like Red Delicious, as they can turn mushy during baking.

• Is this dessert considered healthy?

While not a health food, this apple crisp offers some nutritional benefits. Apples provide fiber and vitamins, and oats contribute whole grains. The dessert is a better option compared to many heavily processed sweets, especially when enjoyed in moderation.

• How do I know when the apple crisp is perfectly baked?

Look for a golden-brown crumble topping and bubbling edges. The apples should be tender when pierced with a fork, and you’ll smell a warm, cinnamon-rich aroma filling your kitchen.

Old Fashioned Cinnamon Apple Crisp Recipe

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4.8 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Homemade Cinnamon Apple Crisp whispers comfort from Midwestern kitchens, blending sweet orchard apples with buttery crumble. Warm spices and golden oat topping invite you to savor this classic dessert that speaks directly to cherished family memories.

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Ingredients

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Apple Filling:

• 6 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix)
• ⅓ cup (65 grams) granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup (65 grams) light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

Crumble Topping:

• 1 cup (125 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (100 grams) old-fashioned oats
• ⅔ cup (135 grams) light brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup (115 grams / 4 ounces) unsalted butter, melted

Preparation Ingredients:

• Peeled and cored apples
• Sliced apples

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Instructions

1. Position an oven rack in the middle position and warm the oven to 350F (175C). Thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
2. Slice apples into uniform, thin wedges to ensure even cooking. Gently combine the apple slices with sugars, aromatic spices, lemon juice, and flour in a spacious mixing bowl. Carefully tumble the ingredients to create an even, glossy coating on each apple slice.
3. Transfer the spiced apple mixture into the prepared baking dish, pressing the fruit into an even layer that reaches all corners of the pan. Use a spatula to distribute the filling uniformly.
4. Create the crisp topping by blending flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a separate container. Pour melted butter over the dry ingredients and mix using a fork until the mixture resembles coarse, crumbly pebbles.
5. Generously scatter the crumbly topping across the apple filling, ensuring complete coverage. Use fingertips to gently press the topping, helping it adhere and create delightful textural peaks.
6. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. Watch for a golden-brown topping and bubbling fruit edges, indicating the crisp is perfectly cooked.
7. Remove from the oven and allow the dessert to rest for 15 minutes, which helps the filling set and intensifies the flavors. Serve warm, accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent finish.

Notes

• Choose crisp, firm apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the best texture and balanced tartness.
• Slice apples uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent softness throughout the dish.
• Adjust sugar levels based on apple sweetness to prevent overly sugary or bland results.
• Consider adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the crumble topping for extra crunch and depth of flavor.
• Experiment with alternative flour options like gluten-free flour blend for those with dietary restrictions.
• Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the topping before baking to enhance the overall flavor complexity.
• Store leftovers in the refrigerator and reheat gently in the oven to maintain the crisp topping’s texture.
• Use coconut oil as a dairy-free butter substitute for a vegan-friendly version of the recipe.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg