Description
This rustic apple crisp captures the essence of a cozy autumn afternoon. Featuring tart Granny Smith apples tossed in a warm, cinnamon-spiced glaze, this dessert is finished with a rich, buttery oat crumble. The secret lies in using a cast iron skillet for unparalleled heat conduction, resulting in a perfectly bubbling base and a golden, crunchy topping that feels sophisticated yet profoundly comforting for any gathering.
Ingredients
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons water
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for the sauce)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon non-alcoholic bourbon extract
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon unsalted butter (to grease the skillet)
6 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into 1-inch pieces
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for the apples)
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup cold unsalted butter (cubed, for the topping)
1 cup light brown sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup rolled oats
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a cast iron skillet with 1 tablespoon of butter.
In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and turns a deep amber caramel color.
Slowly whisk in the heavy cream, 2 tablespoons of butter, vanilla, non-alcoholic bourbon extract, and salt until smooth; set aside to cool slightly.
In a large bowl, toss the chopped apples with the cinnamon and lemon juice.
In another bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and oats, then cut in the cold cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Place the apples in the skillet, drizzle the caramel sauce evenly over them, and top with the oat crumble mixture.
Bake for 30-35 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling.
Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Ensure the apples are chopped into uniform 1-inch pieces for even cooking. For a crispier topping, place the skillet under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 42g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg