Name: Classic Apple Crisp
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 7 cups golden delicious apples, (peeled and thinly sliced (see Notes)); 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar; 1 tsp. ground cinnamon; 2 tsp. lemon juice; 1 cup light brown sugar; 3/4 cup all-purpose flour; 3/4 cup old fashioned oats; 1 tsp. ground cinnamon; 1/4 tsp. salt; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, (cold (diced into small cubes or grated))

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Warm, cozy, and perfectly spiced — this Classic Apple Crisp recipe is the ultimate fall dessert! Made with sweet Golden Delicious apples, brown sugar, and a buttery oat topping, it’s a simple, crowd-pleasing recipe that fills your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of cinnamon and baked apples. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you’ve got dessert perfection.

Classic Apple Crisp is the ultimate fall dessert with tender cinnamon apples and a buttery, crispy, chewy topping.

Why You’ll Love This Classic Apple Crisp

Simple ingredients: Pantry staples come together for big flavor.
Golden Delicious apples: Naturally sweet and tender.
Perfect texture: Soft, cinnamon-spiced apples under a golden, crispy oat topping.
Great for gatherings: Easily doubles for a larger crowd and travels well for potlucks or holidays.

Cinnamon-spiced apples topped with chewy oats, brown sugar, and butter.

Making a Classic Apple Crisp

First, preheat your oven to 350°F, then, lightly grease an 8 x 11-inch or 9 x 9-inch baking dish with butter, Crisco, or non-stick spray. I prefer butter, because I love me some BUTTER!

Prepare the apples:
In a large bowl, toss sliced Golden Delicious apples with sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Spread evenly in your prepared baking dish. You can also use Gala or Honey Crisp apples.

Make the crisp topping:
In another bowl, mix brown sugar, flour, oats, cinnamon, and salt. Then, grate the cold butter over the dry mixture in batches, stirring often so the grated butter gets coated with the dry mixture and doesn’t stick to itself. Also, make sure that the butter is very cold. You can even put it in the freezer for a few minutes before you get to this part.

Alternatively, you can add the cubed cold butter pieces and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work it in until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.

Assemble:
Next, sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the apples. Oh! This is going to be so good!

Bake:
Place (uncovered) in the preheated oven and bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the apples are bubbly and the topping is golden brown.

Cool slightly:
Let it rest for 10–15 minutes before serving to allow the juices to thicken.

Classic Apple Crisp has tender cinnamon-spiced apples with a crispy, buttery topping.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your apple crisp warm with:

A scoop of vanilla ice cream.
A dollop of whipped cream.
Or a drizzle of salted caramel sauce for extra indulgence.

Storage Tips

Refrigerate: Cover leftovers and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 30 – 45 seconds.
Freeze: Apple crisp freezes beautifully! Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months, then defrost in the refrigerator over night.

The perfect fall dessert to serve warm with a scoop of ice cream on top.

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Classic Apple Crisp

This Classic Apple Crisp is the kind of dessert that never goes out of style — simple, rustic, and bursting with comforting fall flavor. Whether you make it for Thanksgiving, a cozy weekend treat, or just because you have extra apples on hand, it’s guaranteed to become a go-to favorite.

Prep Time15

Cook Time45

Total Time1

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: 9 x 9″, comfort food, holiday favorite, old fashioned

Servings:

Calories: 352kcal

Author: Sweet Ordeal

Ingredients

Apples: (bottom layer)

7 cups golden delicious apples, peeled and thinly sliced (see Notes)
2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tsp. lemon juice

Crisp: (top layer)

1 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup old fashioned oats
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold (diced into small cubes or grated)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350° and lightly grease an 8 x 11" or 9 x 9" baking dish.

Apples: (bottom layer)

In large bowl, stir together the sliced apples, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Spread evenly in your prepared baking dish.

Crisp: (top layer)

In large bowl, stir together the brown sugar, flour, oats, cinnamon, and salt. Grate the cold butter in batches over the dry mixture, stirring often to coat the butter so it doesn't stick to itself.
Spread the topping over the apples in an even layer. Bake uncovered for 45 – 50 minutes, or until apples are bubbling and top is golden brown.
Cool slightly, then serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of ice cream, or a drizzle of salted caramel sauce. Enjoy!

Notes

If you’d like, you can adjust the recipe quantities for a larger crowd (say 12–16 servings, perfect for a 9×13-inch pan). Just click on “Servings” (above) and adjust the number.

For 7 cups sliced apples, use about 3 large or 6 small apples. You want 6 to 7 cups at least.

If you can’t find Golden Delicious, you can also use Gala or Honey Crisp.

Nutrition

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Classic Apple Crisp

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