Spiced Apple Crisp

Featured in: Weekend Basil-Style Treats

This comforting dish features tender, cinnamon-spiced apples layered beneath a soft, buttery crumb topping made from oats and brown sugar. Baked until golden and bubbling, it offers a warm, inviting texture perfect for chilly evenings or satisfying sweet cravings. Optional additions like chopped nuts add extra crunch and flavor, while pears can substitute the apples for a different twist. Serve slightly cooled, alone or with ice cream, for an easy, delightful treat.

Updated on Sat, 06 Dec 2025 14:13:00 GMT
Golden-brown spiced apple crisp, a comforting dessert with a soft, buttery crumb topping. Save to Pinterest
Golden-brown spiced apple crisp, a comforting dessert with a soft, buttery crumb topping. | mossbasil.com

A warm, homey dessert featuring tender spiced apples beneath a buttery soft crumb topping—perfect for cozy evenings or simple sweet cravings.

This dessert has become a family favorite during chilly nights, reminding me of cozy gatherings and warm memories.

Ingredients

  • Apples: 6 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced with 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • Filling: 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 2 tbsp light brown sugar, 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/8 tsp ground cloves, 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • Soft Crumb Topping: 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

Preheat Oven:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly butter a 9-inch baking dish.
Prepare Apples:
In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice. Add sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and flour. Toss until evenly coated.
Assemble:
Spread the apple mixture evenly in the prepared dish.
Make Topping:
In another bowl, combine flour, oats, butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and salt. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to blend until soft, moist crumbs form.
Top Apples:
Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the apples.
Bake:
Bake for 40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbling and tender.
Serve:
Cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm, optionally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Steaming-hot Soft Crumb Apple Crisp, featuring bubbly apples perfect for serving with vanilla ice cream. Save to Pinterest
Steaming-hot Soft Crumb Apple Crisp, featuring bubbly apples perfect for serving with vanilla ice cream. | mossbasil.com

This dessert always brings smiles at family dinners and is perfect for sharing stories around the table.

Required Tools

9-inch baking dish, mixing bowls, peeler and corer, knife and cutting board, pastry cutter or fork

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten) and dairy (butter). Oats may be cross-contaminated with gluten—use certified gluten-free oats if required. Double-check labels for allergens if using pre-packaged ingredients.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: Calories 340, Total Fat 13 g, Carbohydrates 56 g, Protein 3 g

Freshly baked Soft Crumb Comfort Dessert: Spiced Apple Crisp, a delicious sweet treat for any occasion. Save to Pinterest
Freshly baked Soft Crumb Comfort Dessert: Spiced Apple Crisp, a delicious sweet treat for any occasion. | mossbasil.com

This spiced apple crisp is a delightful treat that embodies cozy comfort and simple elegance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of apples work best?

Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples offer a good balance of tartness and sweetness, holding their shape well during baking.

Can I substitute pears for apples?

Yes, pears provide a softer texture and subtle sweetness, making a lovely alternative to apples in this dish.

How do I achieve a soft crumb topping?

Using a combination of softened butter, rolled oats, brown sugar, and flour, gently blend until moist crumbs form before sprinkling evenly over the filling.

What spices enhance the flavor?

Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves bring warmth and depth, perfectly complementing the apples' natural sweetness.

Are there suggested add-ins to vary the texture?

Chopped walnuts or pecans folded into the topping add a pleasant crunch and extra nutty flavor.

Spiced Apple Crisp

Tender spiced apples baked with a buttery soft crumb topping for a cozy, sweet treat.

Prep Time
20 minutes
Time to Cook
40 minutes
Overall Time
60 minutes
Created by Aiden Coleman


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Makes 6 Portions

Special Diet Info Meat-Free

What You Need

Apples

01 6 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced
02 2 tbsp lemon juice

Filling

01 1/3 cup granulated sugar
02 2 tbsp light brown sugar
03 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
04 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
05 1/8 tsp ground cloves
06 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

Soft Crumb Topping

01 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
03 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
04 1/2 cup light brown sugar
05 1/4 cup granulated sugar
06 1/4 tsp salt

Directions

Instruction 01

Preheat oven and prepare baking dish: Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly butter a 9-inch baking dish.

Instruction 02

Prepare apple filling: In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with lemon juice. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and flour. Mix until apples are evenly coated.

Instruction 03

Layer apple mixture: Spread the apple mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.

Instruction 04

Make crumb topping: Combine flour, oats, softened butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and salt in a separate bowl. Blend with fingers or pastry cutter until soft crumbs form.

Instruction 05

Top the apples: Evenly sprinkle the crumb topping over the apple layer in the dish.

Instruction 06

Bake the crisp: Bake for 40 minutes until topping is golden and apples are tender and bubbling.

Instruction 07

Serve warm: Allow to cool slightly before serving. Serve warm and optionally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Gear Needed

  • 9-inch baking dish
  • Mixing bowls
  • Peeler and corer
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Pastry cutter or fork

Allergy Notice

Review all components for allergens and consult a healthcare provider if unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten) and dairy (butter). Oats may be cross-contaminated with gluten; use certified gluten-free oats as needed.

Nutrition Details (per portion)

Nutritional details are for general reference and not a replacement for professional health advice.
  • Calorie Count: 340
  • Fat content: 13 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 56 grams
  • Proteins: 3 grams