Warm New England Apple Crisp
Warm New England Apple Crisp is everything comforting and wonderful about Fall. Cinnamon, apples, sugar, oats and butter star in a dessert that comes together very easily and is decadent, yet light and fresh.
There is something beautiful and special in the air this time of year in New England. New England is famous for all of the fall activities and things to do. Visiting a farm, apple picking, pumpkin carving, baking or walking around Salem or Plymouth, Massachusetts. There is a crispness in the air that lets you know the leaves will be changing and that sweater weather is upon us. Now, button up your best cardigan, put on your riding boots, throw on a toasty scarf and let’s get baking!
The flavors that every New Englander looks forward to for Autumn are apple and pumpkin. Pumpkin Muffins with Eggnog Glaze embody the tastes of Fall perfectly. Ask the Google Gods and they will let you know that there are tens of thousands (or maybe even more) recipes that deliver these flavors. Warm New England Apple Crisp is a very easy-to-follow recipe that is the quickest way to get you enjoying a wicked delicious dessert.. or breakfast (no judgement). Apple crisp is best served with a dollop of whipped cream or some vanilla bean ice cream.
Apple and pumpkin compliment the warm spices that are associated with Fall recipes. Ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon all send apple and pumpkin flavor over-the-top. Though I love a delicious apple pie, apple crisp is my favorite. I love the crumbly oat, cinnamon and sugar topping so much. This recipe makes a very generous amount of the topping. You can choose to use as little or as much as you would like. But, life is short so I say, use it all and don’t feel guilty about it.
Food can recreate so many feelings and memories for us all. This is the time of the year when I bust out my favorite comfort food recipes. Warm apple crisp is my favorite dessert to serve on a chilly day after a nice hot plate of comfort food like 5-Alarm Chili, American Chop Suey (New England Style) or Wicked Good Corn Chowder Casserole.
Things like that really do warm your soul from the inside out. And we definitely need that here in Massachusetts since the temperatures are plummeting faster than my will to watch what I’m eating and exercise. I’m sure that people from other parts of the country and world probably roll their eyes at the thought of seasonal depression. We change our clocks and it gets dark so early during the cold and gray winter months so it definitely affects the moods of everyone that I know. Recipes like this that can put a smile on your face and that come together easily are so important to utilize this time of year.
Things have been hectic here lately with all of the kids and all of the other tasks of day-to-day life. Also, the holidays are approaching and we have recently welcomed a new member of our family. We have a 10-week-old handsome puppy named Toby and we love him so much. But he is definitely lots of work and our first family dog so it’s been a big adjustment and learning curve. I’m looking ahead and looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas. And bonding further as a family with the new pup. Hopefully, my beloved cat Priscilla (aged 15) and Toby will come to some common ground as some sort of holiday miracle. *Fingers crossed*
Toby, the newest addition to the Spice and Sugar Mama household. 
Aidan and Toby 
Dylan and Toby 
Vivianna and Toby
Why do you use lemon juice in the apple mixture?
The lemon juice in the apple mixture not only ensures that the apples do not brown, but it also serves to add a delicious extra hint of citrus. You can use lime if you do not have a lemon on hand.
My apples are taking a little longer to cook. What should I do?
If your apples are maybe cut a little too thick or perhaps you tossed in a few extra apples, then no problem at all. Loosely cover with some aluminum foil. It will allow your apples to finish baking and you won’t begin browning or burning your crisp topping.
Should I peel my apples?
Whether or not you peel your apples, is totally up to you. Personally, I enjoy them peeled. I have also made this apple crisp recipe with half of the apples peeled, which is delicious and adds a little more texture.
What other ingredients can I add to or mix into Warm New England Apple Crisp?
-Nutmeg
-Ground ginger
-Craisins, cranberries or raisins
-Plums
-Peaches
-Granola
-Chocolate chips
-Butterscotch chips
-Caramel bits
-Toffee bits
Variations
Apples: You can use any variation of apple that you prefer. You could also use pears in place of apples or a scrumptious combination of the two.
Flour: You may use different flours in place of traditional flour or you can use it in place of a portion of the flour. Hazelnut flour, coconut flour or almond flour are great alternatives.
Walnuts: Instead of walnuts in the crisp topping, almonds, pecans or cashews are delicious.
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Peel and slice 3-4 pounds of apples. Slice the apple into ⅛ inch thick slices and add to a large mixing bowl. Add flour, sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice and salt. Stir to combine well and add to a pan sprayed baking pan.
In a medium mixing bowl, add old fashioned oats, chopped walnuts, brown sugar, sugar, flour, cinnamon and salt. Melt a stick of a butter for about 30 seconds in the microwave and drizzle into the Crisp Topping dry ingredients while stirring until moistened through. Add the Crisp Topping generously over the top of the apples in the baking pan. Bake for 45 minutes. Allow to cool and serve with a dollop of vanilla bean ice cream.
Let me know in the comments below what your favorite Fall treat is. And let me know what your favorite things to do with your family during this time of year are. As always, I very much appreciate you supporting Spice and Sugar Mama!
Warm New England Apple Crisp
Ingredients
- 3-4 Pounds apples, peeled and sliced into ⅛ thick slices
- ½ Cup flour
- ⅓ Cup sugar
- 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ Teaspoon salt
Crisp Topping
- 1 Cup old fashioned oats
- ¾ Cup chopped walnuts
- ⅓ Cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ Cup sugar
- ⅛ Cup flour
- ½ Tablespoon cinnamon
- ¼ Teaspoon salt
- 1 Stick butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Peel and slice 3-4 pounds of apples. Slice the apple into ⅛ inch thick slices and add to a large mixing bowl. Add flour, sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice and salt. Stir to combine well and add to a pan sprayed baking pan.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add old fashioned oats, chopped walnuts, brown sugar, sugar, flour, cinnamon and salt. Melt a stick of a butter for about 30 seconds in the microwave and drizzle into the Crisp Topping dry ingredients while stirring until moistened through. Add the Crisp Topping generously over the top of the apples in the baking pan. Bake for 45 minutes. Allow to cool and serve with a dollop of vanilla bean ice cream.
Notes
- If your apples need a little longer in the oven, cover baking pan loosely with aluminum foil so that the topping does not burn.
Looks delicious! Thanks for sharing 🙂