Description
This Cranberry Apple Crisp with Sweet Cinnamon Streusel brings warm, tart-sweet flavors. A simple, comforting dessert for any cozy gathering.
Ingredients
- Apple Filling Essentials:
- Apples (6-7 medium)
- Fresh or Frozen Cranberries (1 cup)
- All-Purpose Flour (2 tbsp)
- Granulated Sugar (1/2 cup)
- Lemon Juice (1 tbsp)
- Ground Cinnamon (1 tsp)
- Sweet Cinnamon Streusel Topping:
- All-Purpose Flour (1 cup)
- Rolled Oats (1/2 cup)
- Brown Sugar (1/2 cup, packed)
- Cold Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup / 1 stick, cubed)
- Ground Cinnamon (1/2 tsp)
- Pinch of Salt
- Serving Enhancements:
- Vanilla bean ice cream (optional)
- Freshly whipped cream (optional)
- Caramel sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Prep Your Fruit: First things first, get those apples ready! Peel, core, and slice them into roughly 1/2-inch thick pieces. I like them a little chunky, so they hold their shape during baking. Toss them into a big bowl with your cranberries. Then, sprinkle in the flour, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Give it a good, gentle mix until everything looks coated. You want those apples glistening with all that yummy spice. This is where the kitchen starts smelling incredible, honestly.
- Whip Up the Streusel: Now for the best part—the streusel! In a separate medium bowl, combine your flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and that tiny pinch of salt. Give it a whisk to mix it all up. Then, add your *cold*, cubed butter. This is key, friend! Use your fingers, a pastry cutter, or even a fork to cut the butter into the dry ingredients. You’re looking for a crumbly mixture with pea-sized pieces of butter. Don’t overmix, or it’ll get gummy. I learned that the hard way, trust me!
- Assemble Your Cranberry Apple Crisp with Sweet Cinnamon Streusel: Grab a 9×13 inch baking dish. If you’re using a smaller one, you might have to adjust baking time or fill it a bit higher, but honestly, a 9×13 is pretty standard. Pour your prepared apple and cranberry mixture into the dish, spreading it out evenly. It’s okay if it looks a little heaped; the apples will cook down. Then, generously sprinkle that beautiful streusel topping all over the fruit. Make sure you get good coverage! I like to give it a little pat down, but not too much. This is where the magic starts to look real, you know?
- Bake Your Cranberry Apple Crisp: Pop that dish into your preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). Bake for about 40-50 minutes. You’re looking for those apples to be tender when poked with a fork, and the streusel topping should be a gorgeous golden brown and bubbly around the edges. If your streusel starts getting too dark too fast, you can loosely tent it with foil. I’ve definitely had a few slightly-too-toasty streusels in my day, it still tasted good, but golden is the goal!
- Cool and Serve: Once it’s out of the oven, the hardest part begins: waiting! Let your **Cranberry Apple Crisp with Sweet Cinnamon Streusel** cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This lets the filling set up a bit and prevents you from burning your tongue (which I’ve done more times than I care to admit). The aroma filling your kitchen right now? That’s success, hon. It’s warm, comforting, and smells like pure happiness.
- Enjoy This Cranberry Apple Crisp with Sweet Cinnamon Streusel: Scoop out generous portions of your warm, bubbly crisp. The apples will be soft, the cranberries will have burst, and that streusel will be perfectly crunchy. It should look like a rustic, inviting dessert that just begs to be eaten. The combination of tart fruit and sweet, buttery topping is just divine. This dish truly shines when it’s still warm, making it the perfect end to any meal or even a delightful afternoon treat. Don’t forget the ice cream!