There’s something magical about the combination of apples and cranberries — the cozy sweetness of baked apples balanced by the tangy burst of tart cranberries. Together, they create a dessert that’s bright, warm, and irresistibly comforting. This Apple Cranberry Crisp brings those flavors together under a buttery oat topping that bakes up golden, crunchy, and fragrant with cinnamon.
It’s a dessert that feels classic yet refreshing — perfect for cozy autumn dinners, Thanksgiving feasts, or even a simple Sunday treat. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you’ve got a dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Sweet & Tart Balance: The apples’ mellow sweetness and cranberries’ tang make the perfect pairing.
- Golden, Crunchy Topping: Buttery oats and brown sugar form a crisp, caramelized layer.
- No Pie Crust Needed: All the flavor of a pie with half the effort.
- Simple Ingredients: Everything comes together with basic pantry staples.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Bake in advance and reheat before serving — great for gatherings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Fruit Filling
- 5–6 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (about 6 cups)
- 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot powder
For the Crisp Topping
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch (or similar) baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
Step 2: Make the Filling
In a large bowl, combine the apples, cranberries, brown sugar, maple syrup, lemon juice, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch. Toss until the fruit is evenly coated and glossy. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
Step 3: Prepare the Topping
In another bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Add the cold butter and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to rub it into the dry ingredients until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Stir in the chopped nuts, if using.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake
Sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the fruit mixture. Place the dish on a baking sheet (to catch any bubbling juices) and bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling at the edges.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Let the crisp cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to thicken slightly. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Flavor and Texture Profile
This Apple Cranberry Crisp offers an incredible contrast of textures and flavors:
- The fruit layer is juicy and jammy, combining the sweetness of baked apples with the tart brightness of cranberries.
- The topping is buttery, crisp, and slightly caramelized, with a hint of cinnamon spice.
- Every bite is a perfect blend of tangy, sweet, and crunchy — comforting but with a refreshing twist.
The cranberries cut through the richness, keeping the dessert lively and balanced.
Choosing the Best Apples
Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for the best flavor and texture. Great options include:
- Sweet varieties: Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala.
- Tart varieties: Granny Smith or Braeburn.
Mixing them ensures the filling is flavorful without being too sweet or too sour.
Tips for Success
- Balance the sweetness: Cranberries are tart — taste your filling before baking and adjust the sugar to your liking.
- Don’t overmix the topping: Keep it crumbly for the best texture.
- Bake until bubbly: The filling should bubble at the edges to ensure the cornstarch has activated and thickened.
- Let it rest: Cooling slightly allows the juices to set for cleaner serving.
- Add zest: A little orange zest in the filling adds a bright citrus note that complements the cranberries beautifully.
Variations and Add-Ons
- Ginger Apple Cranberry Crisp: Add 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger or ½ teaspoon ground ginger to the filling.
- Maple Pecan Version: Use chopped pecans and replace the sugar in the topping with maple syrup for a richer flavor.
- Cranberry-Only Crisp: Use all cranberries and increase the sugar slightly for a more tart-forward dessert.
- Vegan Option: Use coconut oil or plant-based butter for the topping.
- Gluten-Free: Swap the flour for almond or oat flour and make sure the oats are certified gluten-free.
Serving Ideas
This crisp shines in every season, but it’s especially festive in fall and winter. Serve it:
- Warm with vanilla ice cream for contrast and creaminess.
- With cinnamon whipped cream for extra spice.
- At brunch alongside yogurt or oatmeal for a sweet treat.
- Cold from the fridge for a next-day indulgence — it’s just as good chilled.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
- Make Ahead: Assemble the crisp (without baking) up to 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Warm in a 325°F (160°C) oven for 10–15 minutes to re-crisp the topping.
- Freeze: Freeze baked crisp for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat before serving.
Nutritional Snapshot
Each serving (based on 8 servings) contains approximately:
- Calories: 310
- Fat: 11g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 30g
Made with fruit, oats, and nuts, it’s a dessert that feels indulgent but still has wholesome elements — comforting and nourishing all at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh or frozen?
Yes, but soak them in warm water or apple juice for 10 minutes first to rehydrate before using.
Can I use other fruits?
Absolutely. Try substituting part of the apples with pears or mixing in blueberries or raspberries.
How do I keep the topping crisp?
Cool the crisp uncovered and reheat in the oven rather than the microwave, which softens the topping.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes! Use a 9×13-inch pan and bake for about 50–55 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
Can I make it sugar-free?
You can use a sugar substitute like coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener, though the texture may vary slightly.
Apple Cranberry Crisp
Equipment
- 9×9 inch baking dish
- Mixing bowls
- Pastry cutter or fork
- spoons/spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheet for catching drips
Ingredients
- 5–6 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (about 6 cups)
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 2 tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot powder
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (for topping)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon (for topping)
- 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch (or similar) baking dish with butter or spray.
- In a large bowl, mix apples, cranberries, brown sugar, maple syrup, lemon juice, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch. Toss until evenly coated. Pour into prepared dish.
- In another bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Add cold butter and use your fingers or pastry cutter to form crumbs. Stir in nuts if using.
- Sprinkle topping evenly over fruit. Place baking dish on a baking sheet and bake 40–45 minutes, until topping is golden and filling is bubbling.
- Let cool at least 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with ice cream, whipped cream, or caramel drizzle.
Notes
Nutrition
Final Thoughts
Apple Cranberry Crisp is the kind of dessert that feels both nostalgic and fresh — a beautiful balance of old-fashioned comfort and vibrant flavor. The tart cranberries brighten the sweetness of the apples, while the buttery oat topping adds the perfect crunch.
It’s simple enough for a weekday dessert but special enough for your holiday table. Warm, fragrant, and full of color, this crisp is the essence of fall — and the kind of dessert that keeps people coming back for seconds.
