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why make this recipe
Warm Apple Cranberry Crisp is a delightful dish that brings a cozy touch to your holiday gatherings. Its sweet and tart flavors make it a perfect dessert to serve after a festive meal. The combination of tender apples and juicy cranberries topped with a crunchy, buttery oatmeal crisp is simply irresistible. It’s easy to make and fills your kitchen with a wonderful aroma, making it ideal for family get-togethers or holiday celebrations.
how to make Warm Apple Cranberry Crisp
Ingredients:
- 8 cups Apples (Peeled and sliced into 1/4″ slices)
- 2 cups Cranberries (Fresh or frozen, do not thaw if frozen)
- 2 tablespoons Orange Juice (Fresh is best, but bottled is fine)
- 2 teaspoons Orange Zest (Can substitute with lemon zest)
- 3 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour (Substitute with gluten-free flour blend if needed)
- 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar (Adjust based on tartness of cranberries and apples)
- 1/4 cup Light Brown Sugar (Packed; dark brown can be used for richer flavor)
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon (Nutmeg can be added for extra spice)
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Ginger (Fresh ginger can be substituted)
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cardamom (Omit if unavailable or substitute with nutmeg)
- 1 1/4 cups All-Purpose Flour (Use a gluten-free blend to adapt if needed)
- 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar (Adjust based on personal taste preferences)
- 3/4 cup Light Brown Sugar (Tightly packed; dark brown can be swapped in)
- 3/4 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon (Feel free to mix in other spices)
- 8 ounces Unsalted Butter (Room temperature, cut into cubes)
- 1 1/2 cups Old Fashioned Oats (Instant oats can be used, but texture may vary)
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the fruit: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples and cranberries. Stir in orange juice, orange zest, 3 tablespoons of flour, and 3/4 cup granulated sugar. Mix well and set aside.
- Make the topping: In another bowl, mix together 1 1/4 cups of flour, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 3/4 cup light brown sugar, and 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Add the cubed butter and mix until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the oats.
- Assemble the crisp: Pour the fruit mixture into a greased baking dish. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the fruit.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the fruit is bubbly.
- Cool for a few minutes, then serve warm.
how to serve Warm Apple Cranberry Crisp
Serve the crisp warm from the oven, either on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on top. Adding a sprinkle of extra cinnamon can enhance the flavor. It’s the perfect dessert to enjoy with family and friends during the holidays!
how to store Warm Apple Cranberry Crisp
If you have leftovers, let the crisp cool completely. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through. You can also microwave individual servings for a quick treat.
tips to make Warm Apple Cranberry Crisp
- Use a mix of apples: For the best flavor, use a combination of sweet and tart apples, such as Granny Smith and Honeycrisp.
- Adjust sugars: Depending on your preference for sweetness and the tartness of your fruit, feel free to adjust the amount of sugar in the recipe.
- Top with nuts: For added crunch, consider mixing in some chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans in the topping.
variation
For a fun twist, you could add nuts or substitute different fruits, like peaches or cherries, for some or all of the apples and cranberries. This can give a unique flavor to the dish!
FAQs
Can I use frozen apples?
You can use frozen apples, but fresh apples work best for texture. If using frozen, make sure to adjust the baking time.
Can I make this ahead?
Yes! You can prepare the fruit mixture and topping ahead of time. Assemble just before baking for the best results.
Is it gluten-free?
To make the recipe gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend in both the fruit mixture and the topping.

Warm Apple Cranberry Crisp
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples and cranberries. Stir in orange juice, orange zest, 3 tablespoons of flour, and 3/4 cup granulated sugar. Mix well and set aside.
- In another bowl, mix together 1 1/4 cups of flour, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 3/4 cup light brown sugar, and 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Add the cubed butter and mix until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the oats.
- Pour the fruit mixture into a greased baking dish. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the fruit.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the fruit is bubbly.
- Cool for a few minutes, then serve warm.