Welcome to a warm and cozy dessert that perfectly captures the essence of fall: Autumn Maple Apple Crisp. This recipe is a delightful blend of tart apples and rich, maple-flavored oats, making it an ideal treat for chilly evenings or festive gatherings.
The star of this dish is, of course, the tart apples. They provide a juicy base that contrasts beautifully with the sweet topping. Granulated sugar helps to enhance the natural sweetness of the apples, while all-purpose flour thickens the filling, giving it just the right consistency. A touch of ground cinnamon and nutmeg add warmth and depth, reminiscent of autumn spices. Maple syrup is the secret ingredient that elevates this crisp from ordinary to extraordinary, infusing the dessert with its rich, caramel-like flavor.
The topping features rolled oats for a hearty crunch, and brown sugar for a hint of molasses sweetness. All-purpose flour is used again to bind the ingredients together, while unsalted butter gives a rich, buttery finish. Chopped pecans add a nutty crunch, and a pinch of salt enhances all the flavors, balancing sweetness and highlighting the other ingredients.
This apple crisp is delightful on its own, but for a truly indulgent experience, serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. The cool creaminess complements the warm, spiced apples beautifully. If you’re feeling adventurous, try a drizzle of additional maple syrup over the top just before serving.
To begin, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your crisp bakes evenly. Next, grab a large bowl and combine your sliced apples, granulated sugar, 1/4 cup flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and maple syrup. Toss everything gently until the apples are well-coated. You want each slice to be covered in this fragrant mixture.
Once mixed, spread the apple mixture evenly in a 9x13-inch baking dish. This size dish allows the apples to cook evenly without overcrowding. In another bowl, prepare the topping by stirring together the oats, brown sugar, 1/3 cup flour, melted butter, pecans, and salt. Mix until you have a crumbly texture — this will become the irresistible topping for your crisp.
Sprinkle the oat mixture evenly over the apples, ensuring that it covers the entire surface. This ensures that every bite has a perfect balance of crispy topping and tender apples. Place the dish in your preheated oven and bake for about 45 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the topping turns a beautiful golden brown and the apples are tender.
Allow the crisp to cool slightly before serving it warm. This helps the flavors meld together and makes serving easier, as the filling sets a bit as it cools.
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