Easy Apple Cranberry Crisp Recipe

Introduction

This Easy Apple Cranberry Crisp is a comforting dessert that combines tart cranberries with sweet, tender apples under a crunchy oat topping. Perfect for autumn or any time you want a cozy, fruit-filled treat.

Ingredients

• 8 cups apples (about 9 medium-sized), peeled and sliced into 1/4″ slices
• 2 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen (if using frozen, do not thaw)
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 2 teaspoons orange zest
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 8 ounces unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into cubes
• 1 and 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples and cranberries. Toss with orange juice and orange zest until evenly coated.
3. Step 3: Sprinkle the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom over the fruit. Toss well to coat all the fruit pieces.
4. Step 4: Pour the fruit mixture into the prepared baking dish and set aside.
5. Step 5: For the topping, mix the oats, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour in a large bowl. Add the cubed butter and use two forks or a pastry blender to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
6. Step 6: Evenly sprinkle the oat topping over the fruit in the baking dish.
7. Step 7: Bake uncovered for 55 to 60 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling.
8. Step 8: Remove from oven and let cool on a rack. Serve warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Tips & Variations

• Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for a more complex flavor.
• If you prefer a nutty crunch, add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the topping.
• For extra warmth, increase the cinnamon and ginger slightly or add a pinch of nutmeg.
• Substitute the cranberries with fresh or frozen blueberries or raspberries if desired.

Storage

Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or warm the whole dish gently in the oven at 350°F until heated through. This crisp also freezes well; cover tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cranberries in this recipe?

Yes, frozen cranberries work well. Use them directly from the freezer without thawing to prevent the fruit mixture from becoming too watery.

How do I know when the crisp is done baking?

The topping should be golden brown and the fruit filling should be bubbly around the edges. If the topping browns too quickly, you can cover it loosely with foil and continue baking until the fruit is tender.

Easy Apple Cranberry Crisp Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 136 reviews

This Easy Apple Cranberry Crisp is a delightful and comforting dessert featuring a warmly spiced apple and cranberry filling topped with a buttery, crunchy oatmeal crumble. It combines fresh, tart cranberries and sweet apples with a fragrant blend of cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom, baked to golden perfection. Perfect for cozy evenings or holiday gatherings, this classic crisp is delicious served warm with a scoop of ice cream.

• Author: Lena
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Apple Cranberry Filling

• 8 cups apples (about 9 medium-sized apples), peeled and sliced into 1/4″ slices
• 2 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen (If using frozen, do not thaw)
• 2 Tablespoons orange juice
• 2 teaspoons orange zest
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom

Oatmeal Crisp Topping

• 8 ounces unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into cubes
• 1 and 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter to prevent sticking.
2. Mix the Fruit Filling: In a large bowl, combine the peeled and sliced apples with fresh or frozen cranberries. Add the orange juice and orange zest, then toss everything together.
3. Coat the Fruit: Sprinkle the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom evenly over the fruit mixture. Toss again to fully coat the apples and cranberries.
4. Assemble the Filling: Pour the fruit mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
5. Make the Oatmeal Crisp Topping: In another large bowl, combine the old fashioned oats, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and all-purpose flour. Add the cubed butter, then use two forks or a pastry blender to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
6. Top the Fruit: Evenly sprinkle the oatmeal crisp topping over the fruit filling in the baking dish.
7. Bake the Crisp: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit is bubbly and cooked through.
8. Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and set the dish on a cooling rack. Serve the crisp warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

Notes

• Frozen cranberries can be used directly without thawing to avoid extra moisture.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
• You can add chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans to the topping for added texture and flavor.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
• To make ahead, assemble the crisp in the baking dish, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

Keywords: apple crisp, cranberry dessert, fall dessert, oatmeal topping, baked fruit dessert, easy dessert recipe, holiday dessert