Caramel Apple Crisp

Caramel and apples go together like peanut butter and jelly. So instead of making a plain apple crisp, we leveled up and added caramel to make this delicious and impressive caramel apple crisp. In addition to pantry ingredients, this dessert comes together quickly using a package of caramels and your farmers market peck of apples. It’s easy enough for weeknight desserts, and tasty enough to delight dinner guests or picnic goers.

Caramel Apple Crisp Ingredients

• Apples: Apple desserts are classic and delicious, but which apple should you use? When you’re picking out the best apples for a crisp, go for something that has balanced tartness and sweetness. You also don’t want it to completely fall apart in the oven—try Granny Smiths or Jonagolds.
• Oats: Oats set apart this crisp from other cobbler and crumble recipes. Use old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats instead of harder steel-cut oats.
• Flour: Use all-purpose flour for a light topping that’s both chewy and crispy.
• Brown sugar: Brown sugar lends a slightly more caramelized result to the crisp topping.
• Cinnamon: Don’t skip the cinnamon! It is a classic spice in all cobblers, crumbles, crisps and buckles.
• Butter: Cold butter is essential for a crisp topping. The butter helps everything hold together before cooking and then melts to create that classic crisp texture.
• Caramels: Using store-bought caramels makes for a much quicker dessert with fewer dishes!
• Apple cider: Apple cider isn’t just a delicious drink, it’s also a great liquid to use in desserts and even savory dishes. Here, the apple cider creates some steam in the crisp so the apples get tender while cooking.

Directions

Step 1: Assemble the crisp

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, mix the oats, flour, brown sugar and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture is crumbly and about the size of peas. Press half the mixture into a greased 13×9-inch baking dish. Layer half of each of the following: apples, caramels and the remaining oat mixture. Repeat the layers, and then drizzle 1/2 cup of cider over top.

Step 2: Bake the crisp

Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Drizzle with the remaining cider, then bake again until the apples are tender, 15 to 20 minutes longer. Allow the crisp to set for at least 20 minutes before enjoying.

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Recipe Variations

• Use salted caramel: Instead of using store-bought caramel, try your hand at making your salted caramel sauce. It adds another step, but it’s so worth it!
• Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free flour and oats to make this crisp entirely gluten-free.
• Go vegan: This crisp can easily be made vegan by substituting vegan butter.
• Add extra crisp goodies: For a little added texture and flavor, add to your crisp topping some chopped nuts, coconut flakes or sesame seeds.

How to Store Caramel Apple Crisp

Store your caramel apple crisp covered in the fridge for up to five days. You can reheat it in the oven until the apples are bubbling up into the crisp topping.

Can you freeze caramel apple crisp?

Yes! To freeze, let your apple crisp cool entirely before wrapping it thoroughly in plastic and freezing. Allow it to thaw before reheating it in the oven and enjoying it again.

Can you make caramel apple crisp ahead of time?

You can make a crisp ahead of time either fully or in parts. The crisp topping itself can be stored in the fridge for up to a month. Or you can assemble and cook off the entire caramel apple crisp and serve it later in the day or the following day.

Caramel Apple Crisp Tips

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What type of apples are best for caramel apple crisp?

The best apples for crisps and crumbles are sweet, and tart and don’t completely fall apart with heat. Instead, they hold their shape a bit and cook down gently under the crisp topping. I love to use Pink Lady, Jazz, and Honeycrisp apples for baking.

Do you need to peel apples for an apple crisp?

Lots of people peel apples for crisps, but I don’t find it necessary. Since the peels of apples have lots of nutrition, I try to keep them on whenever possible. So it’s up to personal preference!

How do you serve caramel apple crisp?

Serve this caramel apple crisp with some store-bought vanilla ice cream, or whipped cream. The cream goes wonderfully with the crisp and adds another texture. You can even make your own homemade vanilla ice cream.

Can you make these in individual portions?

Mini caramel apple crisps are not just adorable, they also make a delicious and impressive dessert. Use small ramekins and make several crisps instead of one big one. You can bake them at the same time, but be sure to check them after 20 minutes to make sure the crisp tops aren’t overbaking.