The Best Caramel Apple Crisp Recipe: A Cozy Fall Treat

Sweet caramel apple crisp crafts ordinary desserts into extraordinary culinary experiences that dance across taste buds.

Autumnal flavors burst with warmth and nostalgia, inviting memories of cozy kitchen gatherings.

crisp textures mingle with soft, yielding fruit beneath a golden-brown crumbly topping that promises comfort and indulgence.

Seasonal ingredients merge seamlessly, creating a harmonious blend of rich sweetness and subtle spice.

Each carefully crafted bite tells a story of tradition and homemade delight, connecting generations through a simple yet remarkable dessert.

Home bakers can easily master this classic treat that celebrates the best of harvest bounty.

The magic happens when humble ingredients unite in a symphony of flavor and texture.

Why Caramel Apple Crisp Is a Cozy Favorite

• Craft Irresistible Comfort: This caramel apple crisp transforms simple ingredients into a warm, soul-hugging dessert that delivers pure autumn happiness with every spoonful.
• Texture Explosion: Enjoy the perfect blend of soft, tender apples, crunchy oat topping, and silky caramel sauce creating a delightful contrast that dances on your taste buds.
• Quick Weekend Delight: Whip up this dessert in under an hour, making it an ideal treat for lazy weekends, family gatherings, or spontaneous sweet cravings without requiring professional baking skills.
• Versatile Seasonal Charm: Celebrate fall flavors or enjoy year-round comfort with this adaptable dessert that pairs beautifully with vanilla ice cream and works as a crowd-pleasing potluck or holiday dessert.

Ingredients in Caramel Apple Crisp You’ll Love

• Apples: Sweet and tart variety works best, choose firm apples that hold shape during baking like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
• Lemon Juice: Prevents apple browning and adds bright acidity to the filling.

• Caramels, Milk: Creates rich, smooth caramel sauce with creamy texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Enhances natural apple sweetness and helps create syrupy consistency.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep, molasses-like flavor to the crisp topping.

• All-Purpose Flour: Thickens apple filling and helps create crumbly topping texture.
• Rolled Oats: Provides hearty, nutty element to the crisp topping.
• Ground Cinnamon: Warm spice that complements apple and caramel flavors.
• Unsalted Butter: Binds topping ingredients and adds rich, buttery taste.

• Vanilla Ice Cream: Creamy, cold contrast to warm apple crisp.

Caramel Apple Crisp Instructions Made Simple

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank up your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and give it a quick spritz of cooking spray or butter rub.

Step 2: Slice and Dress the Apples

• Granulated sugar
• All-purpose flour
• Ground cinnamon

Ensure every apple slice gets a cozy coating of the sweet mixture. Spread the apple mixture evenly across the prepared baking pan.

Step 3: Create Liquid Gold Caramel

• Soft caramel candies
• Whole milk

Zap the mixture in 30-second bursts, stirring between each interval. Keep going until the caramels transform into a silky, smooth sauce. Drizzle about half the caramel over the apple layer.

Step 4: Craft the Crunchy Topping

• All-purpose flour
• Brown sugar
• Rolled oats
• Room temperature butter
• Ground cinnamon

Mix until the ingredients form a delightful, crumbly texture. Sprinkle this golden topping evenly across the caramel-kissed apples.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 45 minutes, watching for a golden-brown topping and tender apples that yield easily when poked with a fork.

Step 6: Serve with Indulgence

Scoop the warm apple crisp into bowls. Crown each serving with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. Finish by drizzling the remaining caramel sauce for an extra touch of decadence.

Baking Tips for Caramel Apple Crisp That Melts in Your Mouth

• Choose Crisp Apples: Select firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape during baking and provide a perfect balance to the sweet caramel.
• Prevent Apple Browning: Toss sliced apples with a splash of lemon juice to keep them fresh and prevent discoloration before adding other ingredients.
• Create Perfect Crumble Topping: Use cold butter and work it into the dry ingredients with your fingertips for a light, crispy texture that doesn't become dense or tough.
• Layer Caramel Strategically: Drizzle caramel sauce between apple layers and on top for maximum flavor distribution and beautiful presentation.
• Customize Texture: For extra crunch, add chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping mixture to enhance the crisp's nutty dimension.

Storing and Reheating Caramel Apple Crisp Like a Pro

• Refrigerate: Store cooled Caramel Apple Crisp in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid to prevent moisture loss.
• Reheat in Oven: Warm individual servings at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent topping from burning. This method helps restore the crispy texture.
• Microwave Option: Quickly reheat single portions for 30-45 seconds, but note the topping might become slightly softer compared to oven reheating.

Pair Caramel Apple Crisp with These Options

• Scoop Up Creamy Companions: Pair this warm caramel apple crisp with a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, letting the cold, smooth texture contrast beautifully with the warm, crunchy dessert.
• Pour Rich Beverages: Complement the dessert with a hot cup of cinnamon-spiced chai tea or a smooth caramel macchiato, which will enhance the warm, sweet flavors of the crisp.
• Match with Warming Spirits: Elevate the dessert experience by serving a small glass of bourbon or spiced rum on the side, whose subtle oak and caramel notes will dance perfectly with the apple and caramel elements.
• Cheese and Crisp Harmony: Consider adding a small plate of aged cheddar or gouda alongside the dessert, as the sharp, tangy cheese will provide a delightful counterpoint to the sweet, rich caramel apple crisp.

Variations of Caramel Apple Crisp to Experiment With

• Nutty Caramel Apple Delight: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping for extra crunch and rich, nutty flavor. Sprinkle nuts before baking to enhance the crisp's texture and depth.
• Spiced Autumn Version: Incorporate ground ginger, nutmeg, and a pinch of cloves into the apple mixture. These warm spices will create a cozy, seasonal profile that complements the caramel perfectly.
• Berry Caramel Fusion: Mix fresh raspberries or blueberries with the apple slices before adding caramel. The berries will add bright, tangy notes that contrast beautifully with the sweet caramel sauce.
• Salted Caramel Crunch: Sprinkle sea salt over the caramel layer before adding the topping. The salt will intensify the caramel's richness and create a sophisticated sweet-savory balance.

Caramel Apple Crisp Recipe

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Caramel apple crisp brings autumn’s warmth to your dessert table with layers of spiced apples and buttery crumble. Sweet caramel notes mingle with tender fruit and crisp topping, promising a delightful experience that connects you to seasonal comfort.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 8 cups (1.9 liters) sliced apples
• 14 ounces (397 grams) caramels
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) brown sugar
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) oats
• 1¼ cup (150 grams) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (170 grams) butter, softened

Spices and Binding Agents:

• 2 tablespoons (30 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon (15 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

Liquid Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoons (90 milliliters) milk

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking vessel with grease, ensuring complete surface coverage.
2. Carefully peel and slice apples into thin, uniform pieces, maximizing their surface area for optimal flavor absorption.
3. Combine apple slices with sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a spacious mixing bowl, gently tumbling ingredients to create an even, glossy coating.
4. Transfer the seasoned apple mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading them in a harmonious, level layer.
5. Create a luscious caramel sauce by melting caramels with milk in a microwave-safe container, stirring between brief heating intervals until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
6. Generously cascade approximately half the caramel sauce over the apple layer, allowing it to weave between fruit slices.
7. Craft the crisp topping by blending flour, brown sugar, oats, softened butter, and cinnamon in a separate bowl until achieving a delicate, crumbly texture.
8. Distribute the crumbly topping evenly across the caramel-glazed apples, ensuring complete coverage.
9. Place the assembled dessert in the preheated oven, baking for roughly 45 minutes until the topping transforms into a golden-brown crust and apples become tender.
10. Remove from oven and let cool briefly before serving alongside vanilla ice cream, finishing with a final drizzle of remaining caramel sauce for decadent presentation.

Notes

• Slice apples thinly and evenly to ensure consistent cooking and a beautiful presentation.
• Microwave caramels in short bursts to prevent burning and achieve a smooth, silky sauce.
• Use cold butter when mixing the topping to create a perfectly crumbly and textured crisp.
• Check doneness by testing apple tenderness with a fork and looking for a golden-brown topping.
• Serve immediately for the best texture, with vanilla ice cream melting over the warm dessert.
• Store leftovers in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven to maintain the crisp’s crunchiness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 35g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 59g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 50mg