Warm Apple Cranberry Crisp

Table of Contents

why make this recipe

Warm Apple Cranberry Crisp is a perfect dessert to brighten your holiday gatherings. It combines the sweet taste of apples with the tartness of cranberries, providing a delightful balance that everyone will love. The crispy topping adds a great texture that makes each bite so satisfying. This recipe is not just delicious; it’s also easy to make and can be prepared in advance. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to create a cozy dessert that will impress your family and friends.

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:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples and cranberries. Add the orange juice, orange zest, and 3 tablespoons of flour. Toss well to coat.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom. Sprinkle this mixture over the fruit and stir until well combined. Pour the fruit mixture into a baking dish.
  4. For the topping, in another bowl, mix 1 1/4 cups of flour, 3/4 cup of granulated sugar, 3/4 cup of brown sugar, and 3/4 teaspoon of cinnamon. Add in the cubes of butter and oats. Use your fingers to mix until crumbly.
  5. Sprinkle the topping over the apple-cranberry mixture in the baking dish.
  6. Bake for about 45-50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit is bubbly.
  7. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.

how to serve Warm Apple Cranberry Crisp

Serve your Warm Apple Cranberry Crisp straight from the oven. It’s best enjoyed warm, so consider serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top. This dessert is great for family gatherings or holiday parties and is sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face.

how to store Warm Apple Cranberry Crisp

To store any leftovers, allow the crisp to cool completely. Then, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving again.

tips to make Warm Apple Cranberry Crisp

  • Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for the best flavor.
  • Adjust the sugar levels based on your taste preference and the tartness of the cranberries.
  • For added crunch, consider mixing in some chopped nuts, like walnuts or pecans, into the topping.
  • If you like spices, feel free to add nutmeg or cloves for extra warmth.

variation (if any)

You can customize this recipe by using different fruits, such as pears or blueberries, instead of cranberries. You can also try adding a touch of maple syrup for extra sweetness or switch the oats for crushed graham crackers for a different texture.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen apples instead of fresh apples?
Yes, you can use frozen apples, but they may change the texture slightly when baked. It’s best to keep them frozen until you are ready to use them.

2. Is this recipe gluten-free?
To make it gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend in both the filling and topping. Ensure all other ingredients are also gluten-free.

3. Can I prepare this dish in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the fruit filling and topping separately a day before. Just store them in the fridge and assemble before baking on the day you plan to serve it.

Warm Apple Cranberry Crisp

A delightful dessert that combines sweet apples and tart cranberries with a crispy topping, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 400

Ingredients
  

Fruit Filling
  • 8 cups Apples, peeled and sliced into 1/4″ slices Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for best flavor.
  • 2 cups Cranberries, fresh or frozen If using frozen, do not thaw.
  • 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.
Crisp Topping
  • 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.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples and cranberries. Add the orange juice, orange zest, and 3 tablespoons of flour. Toss well to coat.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom. Sprinkle this mixture over the fruit and stir until well combined. Pour the fruit mixture into a baking dish.
Topping
  1. In another bowl, mix 1 1/4 cups of flour, 3/4 cup of granulated sugar, 3/4 cup of brown sugar, and 3/4 teaspoon of cinnamon. Add in the cubes of butter and oats. Use your fingers to mix until crumbly.
  2. Sprinkle the topping over the apple-cranberry mixture in the baking dish.
Baking
  1. Bake for about 45-50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit is bubbly.
  2. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.

Notes

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.