Cozy Apple Crisp with Vanilla Ice Cream
Thanks to modern supermarkets, we don’t have to wait for apple season to enjoy this delicious classic Apple Crisp with Vanilla Ice Cream. Apple crisp is one of those desserts that feels like a hug in a bowl—sweet, tender apples tucked under a buttery, golden oat topping, finished off with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream that melts into every bite.
This recipe strikes that perfect balance between sweet and tart thanks to a blend of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples. The oat topping is just the right amount of crunchy and buttery, and the subtle spices create a nostalgic flavor that feels like fall, no matter the time of year. Whether you’re looking for a comforting dessert to follow a weeknight dinner or planning something crowd-pleasing for a holiday gathering, this apple crisp won’t let you down.
Ingredients
For the Filling
- Apples (Granny Smith and Honeycrisp)
- Sugar
- Light brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground nutmeg
- Ground allspice
- Fresh lemon juice
- Cornstarch
For the Topping
- Old-fashioned oats
- All-purpose flour
- Light brown sugar
- Sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Salt
- Unsalted butter, cubed
- Chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
To Serve
- Vanilla ice cream
- Caramel sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish or a similarly sized oven-safe dish.
- Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Mix until the apples are well coated. Pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- Make the topping: In a medium bowl, combine the oats, flour, both sugars, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Stir in the chopped nuts if using.
- Assemble and bake: Sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the apples. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apples are tender.
- Cool slightly and serve: Let the crisp rest for about 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Scoop into bowls and top each serving with vanilla ice cream. A drizzle of caramel sauce takes it to the next level.
Tips
For best results, slice the apples thin and evenly—this ensures they cook through fully and soften beautifully without turning mushy. Using a pastry cutter (or your fingers) to blend the butter into the topping helps create those irresistible crunchy crumbles. And don’t skip the lemon juice—it keeps the apples bright and balances the sweetness!
Apple Crisp with Vanilla Ice Cream
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 6 medium apples mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For the Topping
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter cold and cubed
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts optional
To Serve
- Vanilla ice cream
- Caramel sauce
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish or similar-sized oven-safe dish.
- Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Toss until the apples are evenly coated. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Make the Topping: In a medium bowl, mix together the oats, flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold butter cubes and, using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the chopped nuts if using.
- Assemble: Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apple mixture.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the crisp from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes to allow the juices to settle.
- Serve: Scoop warm apple crisp into bowls and top with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. Drizzle with caramel sauce if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
The only thing better than smelling this apple crisp bake in the oven is digging into a warm bowl topped with melting vanilla ice cream. If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment, share it with your friends, or save it to Pinterest for later—especially if you’re always on the lookout for an easy, comforting dessert that never fails.
