Apple Cranberry Crisp Recipe

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Festive apple cranberry crisp is a delectably easy dessert with a gooey fruit filling under a crispy oat topping. A scoop of ice cream makes it even better!

Why you'll love apple cranberry crisp

Apple cranberry crisp is the perfect baked dessert for holiday dinners and family meals during apple and cranberry season. Like apple crisp, this sweet fruit crisp is an ideal way to get the comfort of baked pie with minimal effort. Even beginners will crush this recipe.

The method is as simple as prepping the filling ingredients, then the topping ingredients, combining the two and putting them into the oven. You end up with a warm and gooey fruit filling with crispy topping that everyone loves, especially with a scoop of ice cream.

I can't think of an easier dessert to complement your turkey or spiral ham dinner during the holidays. It's truly a walk in the park.

Ingredients you'll need

For the filling

• Apples - Use your seasonal favorite! Granny Smith, Honey Crisp, Jonathan, Gala, and Fuji apples are widely available and perfect for this recipe.
• Pears - Adds texture, flavor, and volume. You'll want them to be ripe and juicy. If they're not available, substitute them with apples.
• Fresh cranberries - Use fresh or frozen whole cranberries for this recipe.
• Orange juice - Adds the perfect citrus flavor in the same way it flavors cranberry orange sauce.
• Brown sugar - Helps caramelize the fruit filling and the crispy oat topping.
• Cornstarch - This is the magical ingredient that thickens the fruit filling. I've included a substitute in the 'recipe variations' section and in the recipe card.
• Cinnamon - This ties all the flavors together in this recipe.

For the topping

• Rolled oats - Use quick-cooking oats or old-fashioned rolled oats.
• Oat flour - If you don't have this on hand, you can blend rolled oats into a powder using any high-speed blender.
• Walnuts - Adds crunch and rich flavor to the topping.
• Brown sugar - This adds depth to the sweetness. Use any sugar in its place.
• Oil - I prefer olive oil, but any oil will work for this recipe.
• Salt - Ties flavors together for balance and satisfaction.

How to make apple cranberry crisp

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a baking dish with cooking spray. To make the topping, stir together rolled oats, oat flour, walnuts, brown sugar, salt, and oil in a mixing bowl. The texture should be coarse and crumbly.

Next, mix the filling ingredients by tossing the fruit, orange juice, brown sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon in a mixing bowl until it's evenly coated.

Now, transfer the fruit filling to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the topping mixture over the surface.

Bake the crisp uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes, until the filling is bubbling and the topping is golden brown. Transfer to a cooling rack and rest for 10 minutes at room temperature. Serve warm with your favorite ice cream!

Apple cranberry crisp is a great way to use seasonal fall and winter produce. During the summer, try a blueberry crisp or juicy peach crisp and be wowed in a warm weather way.

Recipe tips and variations

• If using frozen whole cranberries for this recipe, they can be used frozen or thawed for assembly and baking.
• If cornstarch isn't an option, substitute it with two teaspoons of arrowroot powder.
• Make oat flour on the spot by blending oats into a fine powder. It helps thicken the fruit filling, so it's the perfect substitute for all-purpose flour.
• Once it's baked, I recommend serving immediately after the 10-minute resting stage so the topping is still crispy and the fruit filling is warm.
• To make ahead, work through recipe steps 1 through 4. Refrigerate the filling and store the topping at room temperature. Continue with the recipe when ready to bake.

More cranberry recipes

• Cranberry Walnut Bread
• Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice
• Turkey Cranberry Salad
• Pomegranate Cranberry Relish

📖 Recipe