There is something irresistibly heartwarming about a good Cranberry Apple Crisp Recipe that brings the best of autumn flavors right to your table. This dessert perfectly balances tart cranberries with sweet, tender apples and pears, all nestled beneath a crunchy, buttery topping studded with pecans and oats. Every bite offers a delightful contrast of textures and flavors that feels like a cozy hug on a plate. Whether you’re serving it for a family gathering or craving a comforting treat at home, this crisp completes the moment with its simple ingredients and straightforward preparation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these ingredients is easy, and each one plays a vital role in making this Cranberry Apple Crisp Recipe taste so wonderful. From the crisp fruit filling to the crumbly, nutty topping, every element adds texture, color, and flavor to the dish.
- Light brown sugar: Adds a rich sweetness and moisture to the topping.
- Rolled oats: Give the crisp topping a lovely chewiness and wholesome texture.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure to both the filling and the topping.
- Chopped pecan nuts: Bring a toasty crunch that contrasts beautifully with soft fruit.
- Cinnamon: Adds warm, spicy notes that are perfect for fall desserts.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Cold butter (diced): Creates that irresistible crumbly texture in the topping.
- Apples: The star fruit, diced for sweet, tender bites.
- Pears: Offer a juicy, slightly softer counterpart to the apples and a subtle floral sweetness.
- Fresh cranberries: Their tartness gives the filling a vibrant pop and seasonal charm.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the fruit filling just enough without overpowering.
How to Make Cranberry Apple Crisp Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dish
Start by heating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly greasing a deep 7×11 inch baking dish. This simple preparation ensures the crisp won’t stick and will cook evenly, setting the stage for all those delicious layers to come together beautifully.
Step 2: Create the Topping
In a medium bowl, mix together the light brown sugar, oats, flour, chopped pecans, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Then cut in the cold diced butter using your hands—not a pastry cutter since the nuts make it tricky—until you achieve lovely crumbly clumps. Place this mixture in the fridge to chill while you prepare the filling, which helps it stay flaky and crisp after baking.
Step 3: Make the Fruit Filling
Combine the diced apples, pears, halved fresh cranberries, granulated sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Stir everything gently but thoroughly so the sugar and flour coat the fruit evenly. This simple step ensures a luscious, thickened filling that bursts with sweet-tart flavor in every bite.
Step 4: Assemble Your Crisp
Transfer the fruit filling to your prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Then generously sprinkle the chilled crumbly topping over the fruit to cover it completely. The contrast between the juicy fruit underneath and the golden topping is what makes this Cranberry Apple Crisp Recipe so irresistible.
Step 5: Bake Until Golden and Bubbling
Bake the crisp for 35 to 40 minutes, keeping an eye on the top so it doesn’t get too brown. If it does, just loosely cover it with foil. You’ll know it’s done when the topping is golden and the filling is bubbling at the edges. Let it rest on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes to allow all those exquisite juices to set slightly before serving.
How to Serve Cranberry Apple Crisp Recipe
Garnishes
The perfect Cranberry Apple Crisp deserves a lovely finishing touch. A scoop of vanilla ice cream melting gently over the warm crisp is a classic favorite, but whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce can elevate it even more. Fresh mint leaves or a dusting of powdered sugar add a pretty pop that makes serving a joy.
Side Dishes
This crisp shines most as a stand-alone dessert, but if you’re serving it as part of a larger meal, try pairing it with spiced cider or a creamy latte. Its cozy, rustic flavors also harmonize well alongside roasted meats or a simple green salad if you want to add a sweet finish to your dinner.
Creative Ways to Present
For a charming twist, serve portions in individual ramekins or mini mason jars, perfect for sharing at parties or potlucks. You can also layer the filling and topping in a clear glass trifle bowl to show off all those colorful layers. Either way, presentation adds a bit of fun to enjoying the Cranberry Apple Crisp Recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your crisp, cover any leftovers tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and flavorful for up to 3 days, making for a wonderful ready-to-eat treat whenever you fancy a little sweetness.
Freezing
This Cranberry Apple Crisp Recipe freezes beautifully. Once cooled, cover the crisp tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. It can be frozen for up to 2 months and baked from frozen or thawed overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To bring the crisp back to life, heat it in a 350°F oven for about 15-20 minutes until warmed through and the topping is crisp again. Avoid microwaving if possible since it can make the topping soggy, but it works in a pinch if you’re hungry and short on time!
FAQs
Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh?
Yes, frozen cranberries work well in this recipe. Just be sure to thaw and drain excess liquid before mixing them with the other fruits to prevent the filling from becoming too watery.
What apples are best for this crisp?
Varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji are ideal as they hold their shape well during baking and provide a nice balance of tartness and sweetness.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Absolutely! Simply replace the butter with a vegan butter or coconut oil. The rest of the ingredients are naturally plant-based and will keep the crisp delicious.
How can I make the topping gluten-free?
Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend, and make sure your oats are certified gluten-free. This way, everyone can enjoy the wonderful flavors without worries.
Is it necessary to peel the fruits?
Peeling is recommended for a smoother texture and to prevent the crisp from becoming too tough, but if you prefer extra fiber and a rustic feel, leaving the skins on can add lovely color and nutrients.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to cozy up your kitchen with the ultimate autumn dessert, you can’t go wrong with this Cranberry Apple Crisp Recipe. It’s straightforward, packed with incredible flavors and textures, and perfect for sharing with loved ones. Give it a try, and I promise it will quickly become one of your favorite treats to bake again and again.
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Cranberry Apple Crisp Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Cranberry Apple Crisp is a delightful autumn dessert featuring a spiced fruit filling of apples, pears, and fresh cranberries, topped with a buttery pecan oat crumble. Baked until golden and bubbling, it offers a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness with a crunchy topping, ideal for cozy gatherings or a comforting treat.
Ingredients
Topping
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup chopped pecan nuts
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup cold butter, diced
Filling
- 3 medium apples, peeled, cored and diced
- 2 medium pears, peeled, cored and diced (or substitute with more apples)
- 1 cup fresh cranberries, large ones halved
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar (or more to taste)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a deep 7×11 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Make topping: In a medium bowl, combine the light brown sugar, rolled oats, flour, chopped pecans, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Add the cold diced butter and use your hands to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until crumbly. Refrigerate the topping while you prepare the filling.
- Make filling: In a large bowl, mix the diced apples, diced pears, fresh cranberries, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, and cinnamon. Stir thoroughly to coat the fruit evenly with sugar and flour, which helps thicken the filling as it bakes.
- Assemble: Transfer the fruit filling into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the chilled topping over the fruit layer, covering it completely.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If the topping browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil to prevent burning. After baking, let the crisp rest on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, omit the pecans or substitute with seeds or additional oats.
- Adjust sugar amounts to taste depending on the tartness of the fruit.
- Serving this crisp warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream enhances its flavor.
- Make ahead tip: Prepare the topping and filling separately and refrigerate; assemble and bake when ready.
