Description
This Deep Dish Apple Crisp is a comforting, classic dessert featuring tender, cinnamon-spiced apples baked in a buttery pie crust, topped with a crunchy oat and brown sugar crumble, and finished with a luscious drizzle of caramel sauce. It’s perfect for cozy gatherings and easy to serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
Scale
Pie Crust and Apple Filling
- 1 (9 inch) pastry for a single crust pie
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 medium red delicious apples, peeled then chopped
Crisp Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup salted butter (softened)
Additional
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce
- Extra caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pie Crust: Roll the pastry to fit a 9-inch deep dish pie plate. Fold under or flute the edges neatly to create an even crust that will hold the apple filling.
- Mix the Apple Filling: In a medium bowl, combine granulated sugar, flour, and ground cinnamon. Add peeled, chopped apples to the mixture and toss well to coat all pieces evenly with the sugar and spice blend.
- Assemble the Filling: Arrange the coated apples evenly over the pie crust, spreading them out to cover the base completely.
- Prepare the Crisp Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, light brown sugar, rolled oats, and cinnamon. Add softened salted butter and mix until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.
- Top the Apples: Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the layer of apples, covering them completely.
- Bake the Apple Crisp: Place the pie plate in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C). Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown. To avoid burning the crust, lay a piece of foil over the top during the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Add Caramel Sauce: Immediately after removing from the oven, drizzle the caramel sauce evenly over the hot apple crisp.
- Rest and Serve: Let the apple crisp stand for 15 minutes before slicing to allow the filling to set. Serve warm with extra caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream if desired.
Notes
- For best results, use firm apples like Red Delicious or Granny Smith to maintain texture during baking.
- You can substitute the pie pastry with homemade or store-bought pie crust according to your preference.
- Oats in the topping add a wonderful crunch but you can use chopped nuts if preferred.
- Laying foil on top during the last part of baking prevents the crust from over-browning while the apples finish cooking.
- Allowing the crisp to rest before serving helps the filling thicken slightly, making it easier to slice.
- Serve alongside vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an indulgent dessert experience.
