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Apple Cranberry Crisp

Featured in Sweet Treats and Baked Favorites.

This fall dessert combines sweet apples and tart cranberries with a buttery pecan crumble topping. Ready in an hour, it's perfect served warm with vanilla ice cream.
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Aisha
Updated on Fri, 17 Jan 2025 00:22:58 GMT
A baked fruit dessert featuring slices of apple and whole cranberries topped with a crumbly oat topping in a white dish. Pin it
A baked fruit dessert featuring slices of apple and whole cranberries topped with a crumbly oat topping in a white dish. | www.cookingflavor.com

The moment this Apple Cranberry Crisp starts baking my whole house fills with the most incredible aroma of warm spices and fruit. I've been perfecting this recipe for years and the combination of sweet apples with tart cranberries creates pure magic. That buttery pecan topping gets so perfectly golden and crispy it's impossible to resist sneaking a bite right out of the oven.

Why You'll Love This Dessert

What makes this crisp so special is how the tart cranberries balance out the sweet apples while that buttery topping adds the perfect crunch. Every time I make it guests ask for the recipe. It's become my go-to dessert for fall gatherings because it's so easy yet feels special especially when served warm with melting vanilla ice cream on top.

Ingredients You'll Need

  • For the Filling: 6 large baking apples (peeled and sliced), 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp orange juice, 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • For the Topping: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup cold unsalted butter (cubed), 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 tbsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, 1 cup chopped pecans
  • For Serving: Vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Filling
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, toss sliced apples and cranberries with sugar, flour, orange juice, and vanilla. Spread evenly in a greased 9x13 baking dish.
Make the Topping
In a separate bowl, combine flour, sugars, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in cold butter with a pastry cutter or fingers until crumbly. Stir in chopped pecans.
Assemble and Bake
Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the fruit mixture. Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the fruit is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
Cool and Serve
Let the crisp rest for 15 minutes before serving. Top with vanilla ice cream and drizzle with caramel sauce, if desired.
A baked dish featuring a crumbly topping over a mixture of apples and cranberries. Pin it
A baked dish featuring a crumbly topping over a mixture of apples and cranberries. | www.cookingflavor.com

Pro Tips for Success

After countless crisps I've learned that using really cold butter makes all the difference in getting that perfect crumbly topping. I love using Granny Smith apples for their tartness but Honeycrisp work beautifully too. That little bit of orange juice in the filling brightens all the flavors and keeps the apples from browning.

Serving Suggestions

Nothing beats this crisp served warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream slowly melting over the top. Sometimes I'll drizzle caramel sauce for extra indulgence. When I'm hosting I'll make individual portions in ramekins it looks so elegant and everyone loves having their own little dessert.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

The leftovers keep beautifully in the fridge and honestly sometimes I think they taste even better the next day. I often prep everything ahead when I'm entertaining and just pop it in the oven while we're having dinner. It freezes surprisingly well too just remember to wrap it tightly.

Customization Ideas

Sometimes I'll swap in walnuts for the pecans or add oats to the topping for extra texture. A handful of raisins mixed into the filling adds lovely bursts of sweetness. When I'm feeling adventurous I'll add cardamom or nutmeg to the spice mix it creates such wonderful warmth.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Cranberry Crisp has brought so much joy to my kitchen especially during fall gatherings. There's something magical about the way it brings people together whether we're celebrating a holiday or just enjoying a cozy evening at home. That moment when the ice cream starts melting into the warm crisp it's pure comfort in a bowl.

A baked fruit crumble dish featuring slices of apple and cranberries topped with a golden, crumbly topping. Pin it
A baked fruit crumble dish featuring slices of apple and cranberries topped with a golden, crumbly topping. | www.cookingflavor.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What kind of apples work best?
Firm, tart-sweet apples like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Braeburn work best as they hold their shape while baking and balance the sweetness of the topping.
→ Can I make this ahead?
You can prepare the fruit filling and topping separately up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge and assemble just before baking. The baked crisp reheats well.
→ Why is my topping not crispy?
Make sure your butter is cold when mixing the topping and don't pack it down too much when adding it to the fruit. This helps create that perfect crispy texture.
→ Can I use dried cranberries?
Fresh or frozen cranberries work best as they provide moisture and tartness. Dried cranberries will be too sweet and change the texture of the filling.
→ How do I store leftovers?
Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven until warm to restore the crispy topping.

Fall Fruit Crisp

Sweet apples and tart cranberries baked under a crunchy brown sugar and pecan topping. Perfect for fall and holiday desserts.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Total Time
60 Minutes
By: Aicha

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (1 9x13 baking dish)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 4 large apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
02 12 ounce cranberries (fresh or frozen).
03 1/2 cup granulated sugar.
04 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour.
05 1 teaspoon vanilla.
06 1 tablespoons orange juice.
07 1/4 cup all-purpose flour.
08 1/4 cup brown sugar.
09 3 tablespoons granulated sugar.
10 1/2 cup chopped pecans.
11 1 teaspoons cinnamon.
12 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold, cut into cubes.
13 Vanilla ice cream (optional, for serving).

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Coat 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Step 02

In large bowl, combine apples, cranberries, sugar, flour, vanilla, and orange juice; toss well. Transfer to prepared baking dish.

Step 03

In same bowl, combine flour, both sugars, pecans and cinnamon. Cut in butter with hands until crumbly; sprinkle over fruit mixture.

Step 04

Bake until fruit is tender, topping is browned, and juices are bubbling around edges, about 45 minutes. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.

Step 05

Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Top with ice cream if desired.

Notes

  1. Can use fresh or frozen cranberries.
  2. Tent with foil if topping browns too quickly.
  3. Allow to cool before serving.

Tools You'll Need

  • 9x13 baking dish.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Tree nuts (pecans).
  • Dairy (butter).
  • Wheat (flour).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 280
  • Total Fat: 12 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 45 g
  • Protein: 3 g