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In this post, we will discuss the basics of making this apple cranberry crisp, including the ingredients and equipment necessary. This recipe involves juicy fruits and a buttery crumb topping and only needs a mixing bowl and a baking dish! The fruits can easily be substituted for your favorites! If this sounds like something you want to dip your fork into, then keep reading!
What You Will Need
- Fresh or frozen cranberries
- Apples
- Maple syrup or granulated sugar
- Lemon Juice
- Butter (unsalted)
- Whole wheat and all-purpose flour
- Brown Sugar
- Rolled Oats
- Spices (cinnamon, allspice or nutmeg)
- Nuts or Seeds
- Baking pan or pie dish
- Mixing Bowl
How to Make Apple Cranberry Crisp:
Prior to baking the crisp, the apples need to be pre-cooked. In this recipe, I sauteed the apples in butter for several minutes. This keeps the texture of the crisp from getting too mushy and the apples to be evenly cooked. I think the flavor game is also up a notch with buttery-cooked apples!
Once the apples are cooled, you will want to coat them and the cranberries in the maple syrup (or sugar), lemon juice, and cornstarch. The cornstarch gives a nice thickness to the crisp. This mixture can then be transferred to the baking dish or pie pan you plan to use.
For the oat mixture, you will want to combine all of the ingredients and use a pastry cutter to cut in the cold butter to the flour mixture to make a crumbly texture. I have also heard of melted butter used successfully in fruit crisp for an even coating of the crumb topping. If you don't have a pastry cutter, you can also use two forks (or butter knives), a food processor, or even your hands.
The oat mixture is then transferred on top of the fruit mixture in the pan. Then bake the dish until the fruits are bubbling and the topping is a nice golden brown.
Fruit crisps can be refrigerated for up to a few days and frozen in an airtight container for a few months.
For more on the basics of fruit crisp visit The Kitchn for excellent tips!
Variations
Not a fan of tart cranberries? Substitute options are endless! Try different spices and flavors with apples, such as ginger. Or try adding other berries or stone fruits, such as peaches or plums.
Are you gluten-sensitive? Substitute a gluten-free flour such as the 1:1 Baking Flour by Bob's Red Mill for the whole wheat and all-purpose flour.
Prefer a vegan alternative to this baked cranberry crisp? Coconut oil can be substituted for the butter.
As you can see, fruit crisp is incredibly simple to bake and versatile! If you tried this recipe or have any questions, let me know in the comments! Happy Fall to you all!
PrintSimply Delicious Apple Cranberry Crisp
Simple and delicious baked apple cranberry crisp is sweet, buttery, and tart! Filled with warm spices of cinnamon and allspice!
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 45
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
3-4 medium apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into 1" pieces
1 12-ounce package of fresh cranberries (about 3 cups), thawed if frozen
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ cup pure maple syrup (or ⅓ cup granulated sugar)
2 tablespoons cornstarch
½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed, plus 1 tablespoon for cooking the apples
½ cup dark brown sugar
¼ cup whole wheat flour
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon salt
¼ cup chopped pecans
1 ¼ cup rolled oats
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Set aside a 9x9 baking pan or pie pan lightly greased.
In a large non-stick pan, heat 1 tablespoon butter on medium heat. Saute the apples until soft, about 7-8 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent excess browning. Set aside and let cool.
In a small bowl, whisk together 4 tablespoons of water with the cornstarch to create a slurry, and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Toss the cranberries and apples with the slurry, then add the lemon juice, and maple syrup (or sugar). Stir well to coat evenly. Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, stir to combine the remaining ingredients except the butter. Using a pastry cutter, cut in the butter with the oat mixture until a crumbly mixture forms. Can also use a food processor or two forks to achieve this oat mixture.
Pour the mixture evenly on top of the cranberry-apple mixture in the prepared pan.
Bake for 45-50 minutes or once the fruit is bubbling the and topping is golden brown in color.
Serve with your favorite vanilla ice cream or some creamy yogurt!
Notes
If you prefer less tart cranberries, add more maple syrup or sugar with the cranberry apple mixture based on your desired level of sweetness. I prefer less sugar in my recipes.
Pre-cooked apples will improve the texture of this crisp! If you prefer instead of sauteing, try boiling or baking the apples.
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