Caramel Apple Crisp with Buttery Oat Topping
Tender cinnamon-spiced apples baked with gooey caramel under a golden buttery oat crumble, then finished with a warm caramel drizzle.
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Resting Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 275 kcal
Apple Filling
- 2 pounds firm baking apples about 5 medium-large apples; peel, core, and slice 1/4 inch thick to yield about 6 cups or 725 grams prepared apples
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon fine salt
- 1/2 cup thick caramel topping divided; use 6 tablespoons in the filling and reserve 2 tablespoons for finishing
Oat Topping
- 3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats 60 grams
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 60 grams
- 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar 71 grams
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
- 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter 85 grams, cut into small cubes
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking dish. Peel and core the apples, then slice them about 1/4 inch thick. You should have about 6 cups of prepared apples.
Place the apples in a large bowl. Add the lemon juice, 1 tablespoon flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Toss evenly. Add 6 tablespoons of the caramel topping, toss gently again, and spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
Combine the rolled oats, 1/2 cup flour, brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add the cold cubed butter and work it into the mixture with a pastry cutter, fork, or fingertips until moist crumbs form with a few pea-size pieces. Scatter evenly over the apples without pressing it down.
Bake at 375°F for 45 minutes. Begin checking at 40 minutes. The crisp is done when the topping is golden brown, the filling is bubbling around the edges and toward the center, and a thin knife slides easily into an apple slice. If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover it with foil for the remaining baking time.
Remove the crisp from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes. Drizzle the reserved 2 tablespoons caramel topping over the warm crisp just before serving.
- For balanced flavor and texture, use a mixture of firm tart and sweet baking apples such as Granny Smith and Honeycrisp.
- Keep the butter cold until the topping is mixed.
- Do not press the oat topping onto the apples.
- Allow the crisp to rest for the full 15 minutes before serving so the filling can thicken.
- Store cooled leftovers covered in the refrigerator and use within 3 to 4 days.
- Reheat refrigerated portions uncovered at 350°F for about 10 to 15 minutes for the best topping texture.
- Nutrition information is an estimate per serving and may vary depending on apple size, caramel brand, ingredient brands, and exact serving size.
Serving: 11/8 of the crisp, approximately 3/4 cupCalories: 275kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 2gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.6gMonounsaturated Fat: 2.4gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 165mgPotassium: 145mgFiber: 2gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 300IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 0.9mg
Keyword apple crisp with caramel, caramel apple crisp, fall apple dessert, oat crumble