The origins of the apple crisp recipe can be traced back to North America, particularly to regions where apples are abundant. While the exact origins are unclear, apple crisp is believed to have developed as a variation of other apple-based desserts that were popular in European cuisines, such as apple pie and apple crumble.
The concept of baking fruit with a topping made of butter, flour, sugar, and spices can be found in various traditional desserts across different cultures. As settlers from Europe migrated to North America, they brought their culinary traditions with them and adapted their recipes based on the ingredients available in the new land.
Apples were widely grown in North America, and settlers began incorporating them into their desserts. Apple crisp likely emerged as a simplified and more rustic alternative to apple pie, as it requires less time and effort to prepare.
The basic apple crisp recipe typically involves layering sliced apples in a baking dish and covering them with a crumbly topping made of butter, flour, oats, sugar, and spices such as cinnamon. The dish is then baked until the apples are tender and the topping becomes golden and crispy.
Over time, variations of the apple crisp recipe have emerged, incorporating different spices, nuts, or even additions like raisins or cranberries. Today, apple crisp remains a popular dessert, particularly during the fall season, and is enjoyed in many households across North America and beyond.
Apple crisp
Ingredients
filling
- 6 Large apples peeled, cored and thinly sliced
- 1/2 Cup sugar
- 2 Tbsp flour
- 1 Tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 Tsp nutmeg
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- zest of 1 lemon
for the crisp topping
- 1 Cup flour
- 1 Cup rolled oats
- 1 Cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ Tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 Tsp salt
- 1/2 Cup unsalted butter cold and diced
for serving
- vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
Instructions
- 1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish or individual ramekins.2. In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Toss until the apples are evenly coated. Transfer the apple mixture to the prepared baking dish or divide it among the ramekins, filling them up to the top.3. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the crisp topping. Add the cold diced butter and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to blend the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.4. Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the apple filling, covering it completely.5. Place the baking dish or ramekins on a baking sheet (to catch any drips) and bake in the preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly.6. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Serve the apple crisp warm, either on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or dollop of whipped cream, if desired.This gourmet apple crisp is sure to impress with its perfectly spiced apple filling and crunchy, buttery topping. Enjoy!
