The Best Easy Apple Butter Apple Crisp: Your Ultimate Fall Dessert Guide
There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of warm, spiced apples baking in the oven. For many, that scent instantly signals the arrival of autumn, bringing with it a longing for cozy evenings and delicious, homemade desserts. And when it comes to fall treats, apple crisp reigns supreme. But what if we told you there’s a way to elevate this classic to new heights of flavor and tenderness? Enter the Easy Apple Butter Apple Crisp – a dessert that takes everything you love about traditional apple crisp and infuses it with the rich, deep, and subtly sweet magic of apple butter.
This recipe isn’t just easy; it’s a celebration of fall flavors, made even more autumnal with the addition of smooth apple butter and crunchy pecans. I adore apple crisp for several reasons: first, it’s incredibly simple to prepare, making it a perfect last-minute dessert for guests or a weeknight treat. Second, the heavenly scent that wafts from the oven as it bakes is an experience in itself – a warm, inviting perfume that fills your home. And third, perhaps the most important reason of all, is its phenomenal taste, especially when served with a generous scoop of cold vanilla ice cream!
Honestly, it’s pretty hard to beat the sensation of cold, melting ice cream cascading over a bowl of softly spiced, tender apples crowned with a perfectly crunchy oat topping. Are you drooling yet? Because I certainly am!
The Undeniable Charm of Apple Crisp as a Fall Dessert
Apple crisp holds a special place in the pantheon of fall desserts. Unlike pies, which can be intimidating with their delicate crusts, crisps are wonderfully forgiving and require minimal fuss. The beauty of an apple crisp lies in its simplicity and the delightful contrast of textures: the soft, cooked fruit filling and the crumbly, buttery streusel topping. It’s rustic, comforting, and quintessentially autumnal, making it the ideal dish to share with loved ones on a chilly evening. This particular recipe takes that inherent charm and amplifies it, making it an absolute must-try for anyone who loves apples and fall.
Why Apple Butter Is the Secret Ingredient You Need
The star player that truly sets this apple crisp apart is apple butter. If you’ve never baked with apple butter before, prepare to be amazed. This concentrated apple spread, cooked down until it’s thick and richly flavored with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, adds an incredible depth and complexity that simple fresh apples alone can’t achieve. It infuses the apple filling with an extra layer of sweetness, a hint of spice, and a luscious, almost jam-like consistency that makes every bite truly unforgettable. The apple butter not only contributes to the flavor profile but also helps to create a wonderfully tender and moist apple layer beneath the crisp topping, ensuring your dessert is never dry.
Choosing the Right Apples for Your Crisp
The foundation of any great apple crisp is, of course, the apples themselves. For this recipe, I recommend using tart apples. Their natural acidity provides a wonderful balance to the sweetness of the apple butter and the brown sugar in the topping. Granny Smith apples are a classic choice, offering a firm texture that holds up well during baking and a distinctly tart flavor. Other excellent options include Honeycrisp (for a balance of sweet and tart), Braeburn, or even a mix of different varieties to create a more complex flavor profile. No matter which you choose, ensure they are firm and free of blemishes.
I opted to peel my apples for this crisp, as I prefer the smooth texture of the cooked fruit. However, if you don’t mind the texture of apple skins or simply want to save some time, feel free to leave them on! Just be sure to slice your apples thinly – about 1/4 inch thick – so the skin can soften adequately during baking and blend seamlessly into the tender filling.
Crafting the Perfect Crunchy Oat Topping
The topping is just as important as the filling in an apple crisp. This recipe features a classic oat topping that delivers the ideal crunch and a rich, buttery flavor. Old-fashioned oats provide a hearty texture, while all-purpose flour and brown sugar create the perfect crumbly base. A hint of cinnamon ties all the flavors together beautifully, enhancing the spiced notes from the apple butter. I’ve also included chopped pecans in my topping, which add a delightful nutty flavor and an extra layer of crunch. However, if pecans aren’t your favorite, or if you have nut allergies, feel free to omit them entirely. The crisp will still be incredibly delicious!
The key to a good streusel topping is using cold butter, cut into small cubes. This ensures that when you cut the butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry blender or two knives, you create coarse crumbs rather than a uniform dough. These coarse crumbs are what melt and bake into that signature golden, crunchy texture that we all crave in an apple crisp.
Tips for Success: Achieving Apple Crisp Perfection
- Pan Choice: While a 10-inch cast iron skillet is fantastic for achieving a beautifully even bake and a rustic presentation, don’t worry if you don’t have one. A 9×9 inch baking dish or a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate will work just as wonderfully. Just ensure your chosen pan is oven-safe and greased well.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Spread your sliced apples evenly in the pan. This allows for even cooking and ensures every apple slice becomes tender.
- Golden and Bubbly: Bake until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is visibly bubbling around the edges. This indicates that the apples are cooked through and the sugars are caramelized.
- Resting Time: It’s tempting to dive straight in, but allowing the crisp to stand for 10-15 minutes after baking is crucial. This helps the filling set slightly and prevents it from being too runny when you serve it.
Serving Suggestions for Your Delicious Apple Butter Apple Crisp
While this Easy Apple Butter Apple Crisp is a delightful standalone dessert, it truly shines when paired with certain accompaniments:
- Vanilla Ice Cream: This is arguably the most classic and popular pairing. The cold, creamy ice cream melting into the warm, spiced crisp creates a magical contrast of temperatures and textures.
- Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a light and airy touch, complementing the richness of the crisp.
- Caramel Sauce: For an extra layer of decadence, drizzle warm caramel sauce over each serving. The buttery, sweet notes of caramel perfectly enhance the apple and spice flavors.
- A Sprinkle of Cinnamon: A final dusting of cinnamon just before serving can add an extra aromatic touch.
Storage and Reheating
Should you be lucky enough to have leftovers, this apple crisp stores well! Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can either warm individual servings in the microwave for a quick treat, or for a crispier topping, place the entire dish (if made in an oven-safe dish) in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through and the topping is re-crisped.
This Easy Apple Butter Apple Crisp is more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to savor the flavors of fall, to gather around the table, and to enjoy a truly heartwarming dessert. Its ease of preparation and unforgettable taste make it a staple for any autumn occasion. So, preheat your oven and get ready to fill your home with the most incredible fall aromas!
Easy Apple Butter Apple Crisp
Ingredients
- 5 cups peeled and thinly sliced tart apples
- 1 cup apple butter
- 3/4 cup old fashioned oats
- 2/3 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2/3 cup cold butter cubed
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 10 inch cast iron skillet, set aside.
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Spread sliced apples in prepared pan. Spread apple butter over the apples and set aside.
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In a medium bowl combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, pecans and cinnamon. Using a pastry blender or two knives cut in the cold butter until coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over the top of the apple butter. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Let stand 10-15 minutes before serving.
Notes
