This apple cranberry crisp merges tart, fresh berries with sweet apples beneath a golden, buttery oat topping. It’s the ultimate effortless dessert for a gathering!
As an avid admirer of apple crisp, I’ve discovered a dessert that may just take the lead: apple cranberry crisp! The tartness of fresh berries blends seamlessly with sweet, cozy crisp apples in a cinnamon-spiced fruit base.
The berries introduce a vibrant flavor and a bright red hue to the fruit layer, which is crowned with golden buttery crisp crumbles. This apple cranberry crisp has solidified its place in my fall and winter baking repertoire. It feels festive enough for a Thanksgiving or Christmas spread, yet is simple enough for a cozy night at home.
Why This Recipe Works
Incorporating cranberries into your apple crisp or apple crumble elevates the flavor, akin to a strawberry rhubarb pie. Here’s why this variation has carved out a permanent space in my recipe collection:
– Zesty sweet-tart profile: While apples are sweet, baking them with cranberries results in a sweet-tart intricacy.
– Ideal crumble texture: The fruit filling reduces to a jammy compote that juxtaposes with the crunch of the rolled oats and butter topping.
– Adaptability: It performs wonderfully with either fresh or frozen cranberries, making it a versatile choice throughout the year.
Ingredient Spotlight: What You Need
This apple cranberry crisp is a twist on the traditional apple dessert with a handful of fresh cranberries mixed in. Here’s what you’ll need:
– Apples: Opt for firm, crisp, sweet-tart cooking apples. Pink Lady and Honeycrisp are my top picks for baking as they retain their shape, but Granny Smith or Golden Delicious are also great alternatives.
– Cranberries: This works with fresh or frozen berries. It’s a fantastic way to use up leftover fresh cranberries from cranberry sauce or buy a bag to use the remainder in bread, muffins, or smoothies.
– Orange Zest: Don’t skip this! Orange introduces a floral aroma that enhances the flavor of the filling beautifully.
– Cornstarch: This thickens the juices released by the fruit, keeping the bottom layer from becoming soupy.
– Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: These add the traditional chew and rustic appearance. I steer clear of quick oats here as they may become overly mushy.
– Butter: Chilled butter is crucial for achieving those distinct, crumbly topping bits.
– Sugars: I blend granulated sugar for the fruit with brown sugar for the topping. (Maple syrup or honey aren’t suitable sweeteners as they result in soggy crumbs.)
How to Make Apple Cranberry Crisp
This recipe comes together swiftly, which is why it ranks among my top Thanksgiving desserts. Here are my suggestions for nailing it every time:
1. Prep the Fruit
I prefer cutting my apples into ½-inch chunks instead of slices. I find that chunks make the crisp simpler to scoop and enjoy. Toss the apples and cranberries with the sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and orange zest directly in the baking dish to limit the washing of an extra bowl.
2. Incorporate the Butter
In a medium bowl, whisk your dry ingredients (flour, oats, sugar, spices). Then, cut the chilled butter into small pieces. I utilize a fork or a pastry cutter to mix the butter into the flour blend until it resembles coarse crumbs (by the end, I often combine it with my fingers).
3. Bake Until Bubbling
Distribute the topping evenly over the fruit. Bake at 350°F for about 45 to 50 minutes. The visual indicator is the fruit filling bubbling around the edges and the topping achieving a deep golden brown.
Serving Suggestions
Apple cranberry crisp is the quintessential fall or winter dessert, perfect for serving as a Thanksgiving dessert, during Christmas, or for any meal. Like many crisps, the ideal topping is vanilla ice cream. The contrast of rich cream with the sweet-tart cranberries is divine! Alternatively, consider one of these toppings:
– A La Mode: A scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream is the benchmark. The melting cream blending with the warm spiced fruit is unbeatable.
– Whipped Cream: A dollop of Homemade Whipped Cream or my favorite Yogurt Whipped Cream provides a lighter, tangy finish.
– Breakfast: I won’t tell if you enjoy the leftovers for breakfast! It surprisingly pairs well with a scoop of Greek yogurt and a hot cup of coffee.
Leftover Storage
Cranberry apple crisp tastes best on the day it’s made, but it stores quite well! The crisp texture endures over time. Here are the best practices for storing a crisp:
– Keep it loosely covered at room temperature for 1 to 2 days. Loosely covering helps maintain the crumbly texture.
– Refrigerate for up to 3 days. It holds up nicely in the fridge, and tastes even better.