Some of the best family recipes are the ones that fill the entire house with the scent of warm cinnamon and baking fruit. This comforting scratch-made dessert is a direct tribute to Aunt Becky.
Aunt Becky’s Apple Crisp
A from-scratch heritage dessert featuring 5 cups of apples and a satisfying oat crumble. This budget-friendly recipe is a true pantry staple favorite, passed down through the family. This recipe is exactly half of the original family recipe, scaled perfectly for a 2-quart baking dish to yield 6 servings.
Ingredients
For the Apple Base
- 5 cups Apples Peeled cored, and sliced (about 5 medium Granny Smith apples)
- 1/2 cup White Sugar
- 1/2 tbsp All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
- 1/4 cup Water
For the Oat Crumble Topping
- 1/2 cup Rolled Oats
- 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar packed
- 1/8 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/8 tsp Baking Soda
- 1/4 cup Butter melted exactly half a stick
Equipment
- 1 8×8 or 7×11 inch 2 quart baking dish
- 1 Mixing Bowl Set
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Measuring Cups
- 1 Measuring Spoons
- 1 Wooden Spoon Set
- 1 Rubber Spatula
Method
Prep the Oven and Fruit
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your 2-quart glass baking dish.. Arrange the 5 cups of prepared apple slices evenly into the bottom of the dish.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the 1/2 cup white sugar, 1/2 tbsp flour, and 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the apples in the dish, then toss them gently with a wooden spoon to coat the slices. Pour the 1/4 cup of water evenly over the spiced apples.
Create the Crumble Topping
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine the 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1/8 tsp baking powder, and 1/8 tsp baking soda. Pour in the 1/4 cup of melted butter. Use a fork or rubber spatula to stir the mixture until it forms pea-sized, moist crumbles.
Bake to Golden Perfection
- Scatter the oat crumble mixture evenly over the top of the apple layer, covering it completely. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. The crisp is done when the fruit is bubbling at the edges, the apples are completely tender when pierced with a fork, and the oat topping is deeply golden-brown. Serve warm.
Nutrition
Serving: 1squareCalories: 295kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 2.5gFat: 8.5gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2.2gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 95mgPotassium: 165mgFiber: 3.5gSugar: 36gVitamin A: 260IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 1mg
Notes
The Apple Choice:
For the best results, use a firm, tart apple like Granny Smith. They hold their shape perfectly during the 45-minute bake and provide a sharp contrast to the sweetness of the brown sugar crumble.
The Slicing Technique:
Slice the apples to a uniform 1/4-inch thickness. Consistent slicing ensures that the entire 5-cup base cooks at the exact same rate, preventing a mix of crunchy and mushy pieces.
The Crumb Texture:
When mixing the melted butter into the dry topping ingredients, stir just until small clumps form. Do not over-mix, or the heat from the butter will turn the topping into a heavy paste instead of a light, crunchy crisp.
The Glass Dish Advantage:
Using an 8×8 glass dish allows you to monitor the sides and bottom of the crisp. You want to see the clear apple juices bubbling actively before removing it from the oven, which signals that the natural starches have thickened into a syrup.
Make-Ahead Best Practice:
You can prep the apple base and the dry crumble mixture up to 24 hours in advance, keeping them stored in separate airtight containers in the fridge. Do not combine the topping with the wet apples until the exact moment you are ready to bake to ensure the oats stay completely crisp.
