Caramel Apple Crisp: The Ultimate Fall Dessert 🍏🍂
Warm, buttery, and brimming with cinnamon-spiced apples, this Caramel Apple Crisp is the perfect dessert for cozy autumn nights. Topped with a crunchy oat streusel and drizzled with rich caramel, it’s irresistibly delicious—especially when served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Easy to Make – Just layer, bake, and enjoy!
✔ Perfect Fall Flavors – Cinnamon, caramel, and tender apples.
✔ Crowd-Pleasing – A hit at holiday gatherings and weeknight desserts alike.
✔ Customizable – Add nuts, swap syrups, or make it gluten-free!
Ingredients
Serves 6-8
For the Apple Filling:
- 5 cups apples, peeled & sliced (use Granny Smith + Honeycrisp)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (prevents browning)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup caramel sauce (+ extra for drizzling)
For the Crisp Topping:
- ¾ cup old-fashioned oats
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Prep & Preheat
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.
2️⃣ Make the Apple Filling
- In a large bowl, toss apples, sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, vanilla, and caramel sauce.
- Spread evenly in the baking dish.
3️⃣ Prepare the Crisp Topping
- In a separate bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Pour in melted butter and stir until crumbly.
- Sprinkle over the apples.
4️⃣ Bake to Perfection
- Bake 35-40 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Let cool 10 minutes before serving.
5️⃣ Serve & Enjoy!
- Drizzle with extra caramel sauce.
- Top with vanilla ice cream for the ultimate treat!
Pro Tips
🍎 Best Apples for Baking – Use Granny Smith (tart) + Honeycrisp (sweet) for balance.
🧈 Crisp Topping Trick – Don’t overmix—keep it crumbly for maximum crunch.
⏳ Make Ahead – Assemble and refrigerate overnight, then bake when ready.
Delicious Variations
🌰 Nutty Version – Add ½ cup chopped pecans to the topping.
🍁 Maple Twist – Replace caramel with pure maple syrup.
🥃 Bourbon Kick – Stir 1 tbsp bourbon into the apple filling.
🌾 Gluten-Free – Use GF flour or almond flour.
Serving Suggestions
🍦 À la Mode – Vanilla ice cream is a must!
☕ With Coffee or Cider – Perfect for chilly evenings.
🎃 Holiday Touch – Serve at Thanksgiving or Halloween parties.
Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Keeps for 3 days (cover tightly).
- Freezer: Freeze baked crisp for 1 month (reheat at 350°F).
- Reheat: Warm in oven or microwave before serving.
Final Thoughts
This Caramel Apple Crisp is autumn in a dish—warm, spiced, and loaded with gooey caramel goodness. Whether you’re craving a simple weeknight dessert or a showstopping holiday treat, this recipe delivers!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Bake Time: 35-40 mins
Total Time: 50-55 mins
Calories: ~320 per serving
Tag your creations with #CaramelAppleCrisp! 🍏🍯
