Tender apples, delicate spices, buttery bites of crumble, and the perfect sweetness create the perfect plate of dessert. This Spiced Apple Crisp Recipe is the only one that you will ever need. I promise you that much. All you need is a big scoop of vanilla ice cream to go along with it.
I don't believe that I will ever be able to select one dessert to be the "superior" favorite for me. I get asked frequently what my favorite dessert is. However, I can never answer just ONE dessert.
For valid reasons, I think my answers will stay that way. However, I simply cannot get enough of a fresh fruit crisp - whether, apple, peach, blueberry, cherry, etc. I love them all. I am pretty sure the ice cream that slowly melts into the dessert just makes it the most heavenly bite.
I especially love the crumble topping. Growing up, I would help my mom make all of our fruit crisps, and I would just stand in the kitchen with the bowl and eat the crumble by the handful. The actual fruit crisp never got as much as it was originally destined to have, because this little girl with blonde hair and green eyes couldn't keep her hands out of the crumble. I have zero regrets.
It is the best part, and that's why I always doubled it for every recipe. I promise you that this recipe is sufficient enough for your crumble needs. Trust me.
What You'll Need to Make Perfectly Spiced Apple Crisp:
I am very ready for fall and apple season. We have had such a hot, miserable summer, here in North Carolina. I am ready for some cooler evenings, brisk air, and the leaves to begin changing. I am ready to enjoy being outdoors again. So, to help me get even more excited for fall, I decided to perfect one of my favorite desserts. THE APPLE CRISP !
Apple season will begin in just a few weeks around here, and I can't tell you how excited I am. I will be making these crisps constantly until halloween. Trust me!
What is Cardamom?
Cardamom is a spice that originated in India. It grows in a pod, and the seeds are ground up to create this beloved spice. It adds such a unique but lovely flavor to all desserts. It is most commonly used in chai teas, but it is a wonderful addition to this crisp. Trust me on this one!
Cardamom has a slight floral taste, but it certainly does not taste of a flower bouquet. It is a touch like a mild and every day lavender, to me. But, it pairs so well with cinnamon and every other warm spice. However, it is so delicious on its own, too. I especially love to pair cardamom with fruit. It makes fruit flavors sing.
You can find it at most grocery stores in the spice aisle, and it comes in two forms - whole pods or ground. For this recipe, you'll need ground cardamom. I certainly think it is worth having around. I use it for a lot of recipes. It adds a lot of depth and dimension to dishes, baked goods, and other treats.
If your grocery store spice aisle doesn't have it, be sure to check the International foods aisle, an Indian market, or other International food stores. World Market even sells it. I've purchased it on Amazon and even Thrive Market before, also.
This apple crisp contains cinnamon and sugared apples and is topped with a sweet, crunchy streusel crumble. It is gluten free, because it uses oat flour. I promise that no one will be able to tell the difference. I shared some with some of my gluten-eating family, and they devoured it happily. Not a word was said about if it was gluten free or not... that's a good sign.
I can't wait to hear your thoughts on this perfect crisp. My whole family fell head over heels for this one. and, I assure you... it's perfect.
Oh, and don't forget the ice cream!

The Most Perfectly Spiced Apple Crisp (Gluten Free)
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Wash, peel (optional), and slice or cube your apples and add them to a greased baking dish. I used an 8 inch square pan. I recommend using a 8 or 9 inch baking dish.
- Toss the apples with brown sugar and cinnamon and set aside.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, spices, salt, and butter. Use a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingers to mix the butter in, breaking it into pea-sized pieces.
- Once your topping has been mixed together and butter has been "cut" in, place your topping over the cinnamon sugared apples in the baking dish.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until it is golden brown, bubbly, and the apples are tender.
- Let cool for a few minutes, top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and enjoy.
Notes
I used all Gala apples in this recipe, but I definitely prefer a mix of Granny Smith and Gala. I love the tartness that Granny Smith provide. Use whatever you prefer or have on hand. If you use all Granny Smith apples - I would recommend adding a little more brown sugar in with them before baking.
- Don't mind unpeeled apples in your crisp? Don't bother with peeling them. I personally don't love the peel's texture, but you. do. you!
- (*) If you are not in need of a gluten free dessert, just swap out equal amounts of oat flour for regular All Purpose flour.
With love & buttercream,
Hannah Catherine
Adapted From and With Thanks to Barefeet in the Kitchen
Did I just so happen to get all the ingredients at the grocery store today? Yes, yes I did.
ReplyDelete“When it’s meant to be, it’s destiny calling”