Cozy Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Recipe for Fall Comfort
Desserts that spark joy often emerge from simple, heartwarming ingredients like this delectable cinnamon-spiced apple delight recipe that dances between comfort and elegance.
Ripe, juicy apples blend seamlessly with warm spices, creating a symphony of flavors.
Sweet aromas fill the kitchen, promising a delightful culinary experience.
Each bite carries the essence of cozy autumn afternoons and cherished memories.
The recipe balances traditional techniques with modern flair, ensuring a memorable treat.
Subtle hints of cinnamon weave through tender apple layers, tempting even the most discerning palate.
Dive into this irresistible dessert and let its magic transform your next gathering.
Serve Warm, Serve Cold — It Works Either Way
Cozy Comfort Companions
Serve this warm apple crisp with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream that slowly melts into the crumbly topping, creating a dreamy contrast of temperatures and textures.
Sweet Breakfast Transformation
Transform leftovers into a delightful morning treat by pairing a slice with Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of extra cinnamon, turning dessert into a satisfying breakfast option.
Rustic Entertaining Approach
Present the apple crisp in individual ramekins for an elegant dinner party dessert, garnishing with a light dusting of powdered sugar and a few fresh mint leaves for a sophisticated touch.
Wholesome Nutty Enhancement
Elevate the dish by topping with chopped toasted pecans or walnuts just before serving, adding a delightful crunch and nutty depth to the already rich and comforting dessert.
Storing Apple to Keep It Tender
Fridge Fresh Technique: Store leftover apple crisp in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
Quick Reheating Method: Warm individual servings in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or reheat the entire dish in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes. Add a small splash of water to help restore the crisp's original texture and prevent the topping from becoming too dry.
Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap the cooled dessert securely in freezer-safe plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to enjoy the same delicious flavors.
Portion Control Trick: Divide the apple crisp into individual serving containers before refrigerating or freezing. This approach makes it easier to grab a quick dessert and helps maintain the dish's quality when reheating smaller portions.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Calories: 380 kcal
Servings: 9
Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Ingredient Guide
For Fruit Base:
Apples: Crisp, sweet-tart varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith provide perfect texture and balanced flavor for baking, ensuring a delightful filling with natural sweetness.
For Spice and Sweetener Blend:
Brown Sugar, White Sugar: Caramel-like brown sugar and refined white sugar create deep, complex sweetness while helping to thicken the apple mixture.
Cornstarch: Magical thickening agent that transforms liquid into a silky, glossy sauce without making the dessert feel heavy.
Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves: Warm, aromatic spices that infuse the dessert with cozy, nostalgic flavors reminiscent of autumn harvests.
Salt: Subtle flavor enhancer that balances and brightens the sweet and spicy notes.
For Crumble Topping:
Rolled Oats: Hearty, textural element that adds rustic crunch and nutty undertones to the dessert.
All-Purpose Flour: Binds the crumble together, creating a tender, slightly crisp topping.
Butter: Rich, creamy ingredient that helps the topping achieve golden-brown, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Tools That Bring Out the Spice and Sweetness
9 x 13 inch baking pan: Essential for creating the perfect apple dessert base.
Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining sugars, spices, and preparing the apple mixture.
Medium mixing bowl: Needed for creating the crumbly, delicious topping.
Pastry cutter or fingers: Great for breaking butter into the topping mixture.
Sharp knife: Crucial for peeling and slicing apples evenly.
Measuring cups and spoons: Precise tools for getting ingredient quantities just right.
Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for preparing apples.
Making Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Simple
Apple Cinnamon Comfort
Oven Preparation Warm up your kitchen by setting the oven to a cozy 375°F. Grab a baking dish and give it a light butter massage to prevent sticking.
Spice Blend Magic Create a flavor explosion by mixing sugars, a whisper of cornstarch, and warm spices in a large mixing bowl. Let the aromas dance together.
Apple Adventure Lovingly peel and slice your apples into delicate pieces. Toss them gently in the spice mixture, making sure each slice gets a flavor hug. Spread these glistening apple slices across your buttered baking dish.
Crumbly Topping Wonderland Combine oats, flour, and a sprinkle of sweetness in a bowl. Work the butter into the dry ingredients with your fingers until it looks like delightful, rustic crumbs. Shower this golden topping over your apples like a tasty blanket.
Baking Bliss Slide the dish into the oven. Start at 375°F for 10 minutes, then lower the temperature to 350°F. Let it bake for another 35 minutes until the top turns golden and the apples bubble with joy.
Add-Ons That Take It Up a Notch
Spice-Smart Swaps: Experiment with ground ginger or cardamom for a unique twist on the classic cinnamon flavor profile.
Apple Variety Magic: Mix Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Golden Delicious apples to create a more complex, layered taste with varying textures and sweetness levels.
Make-Ahead Brilliance: Prepare the entire dessert up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, then bake just before serving for maximum convenience and fresh-baked taste.
Dietary Flex Points: Replace regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version, and swap butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free alternative that maintains the crispy, golden topping.
Creamy cinnamon-spiced apple delight elevates classic dessert traditions with rich, comforting flavors from European orchards. Sweet notes and warm spices create a memorable culinary experience you’ll savor to the last delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
6 large apples (mix of 3 Granny Smith and 3 Honeycrisp)
1 tablespoon (15 mL) ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon (15 mL) ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon (1.25 mL) ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon (0.625 mL) ground cloves
¾ cup (170 g / 6 oz) butter, cut into cubes
1 ½ cups (180 g / 6.35 oz) flour
1 ⅓ cups (120 g / 4.23 oz) old-fashioned oats
½ cup (100 g / 3.53 oz) light brown sugar
½ cup (100 g / 3.53 oz) granulated sugar
¼ cup (50 g / 1.76 oz) light brown sugar
¼ cup (50 g / 1.76 oz) granulated sugar
3 tablespoons (24 g / 0.85 oz) cornstarch
¾ teaspoon (4 g / 0.14 oz) salt
¼ teaspoon (1.25 g / 0.04 oz) salt
Instructions
Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a rectangular baking dish, setting the stage for a delectable dessert.
Spice Fusion: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, cornstarch, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt to create a fragrant spice mixture.
Apple Transformation: Peel and core the apples, then slice them uniformly. Gently toss the apple pieces in the prepared spice blend, ensuring each slice is thoroughly coated with the aromatic mixture.
Layering: Spread the spiced apple slices evenly across the prepared baking pan, creating a tantalizing fruit foundation.
Crumble Topping: In a separate bowl, combine rolled oats, all-purpose flour, additional sugars, salt, and ground cinnamon. Incorporate cold butter using fingertips to create a crumbly, sandy texture.
Assembly and Baking: Sprinkle the crumble topping generously over the apple layer, completely covering the fruit. Place in the preheated oven and bake initially at 375°F for 10 minutes, then reduce temperature to 350°F. Continue baking for approximately 35 minutes, or until the surface turns golden brown and apple juices begin to bubble enthusiastically.
Notes
Slice Apples Uniformly: Cut apples into consistent, thin slices to ensure even cooking and balanced flavor distribution throughout the dessert.
Butter Temperature Matters: Use cold butter when creating the crumble topping to achieve a perfectly flaky, crisp texture that melts delightfully in your mouth.
Spice Intensity Control: Adjust ground spices according to personal preference, but maintain the core balance to preserve the recipe’s signature warmth and depth.
Prevent Fruit Browning: Toss apple slices with a splash of lemon juice while preparing to maintain their fresh appearance and prevent oxidation.
Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography, Seasonal and Local Ingredients, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Culinary Education
Education
Portland Community College
Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and food safety. Gained hands-on experience in preparing diverse cuisines and understanding flavor profiles
Oregon Culinary Institute
Program: Baking and Pastry Certificate
Focus: Specialized education in baking fundamentals, pastry arts, and dessert presentation. Emphasized creativity and precision in crafting baked goods.
Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking.
Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes.
Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.
Jessica Martin
Recipe Developer & Food Writer
Expertise
Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography, Seasonal and Local Ingredients, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Culinary Education
Education
Portland Community College
Oregon Culinary Institute
Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking.
Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes.
Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.