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Cozy Brown Butter Apple Crisp with Oat Streusel

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A cozy, easy-to-make apple crisp with a nutty brown butter oat streusel topping. This accidental dessert has become a fall favorite, perfect for gatherings or a simple weeknight treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (about 6 cups) — a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp recommended
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Position a rack in the center of the oven.
  2. Make the brown butter: Place the 1/2 cup unsalted butter in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Let it melt completely, then swirl the pan occasionally. After about 3-4 minutes, the butter will start to foam and turn golden. Once you see little brown specks forming at the bottom and it smells nutty and toasty, remove it from the heat immediately. Pour the brown butter into a heatproof bowl to stop the cooking process. Let it cool slightly.
  3. Prepare the apples: Peel, core, and slice your 6 apples into 1/4-inch thick slices. Toss the slices into a large mixing bowl. Add the 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Stir everything together until the apples are evenly coated.
  4. Make the oat streusel: In a medium bowl, combine 3/4 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. If using nuts, add the 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts now. Pour the slightly cooled brown butter over the dry ingredients. Stir with a fork or your fingers until the mixture looks like wet sand with some clumps.
  5. Assemble the crisp: Spread the apple mixture evenly into an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the oat streusel evenly over the top, covering all the apples. Do not press it down.
  6. Bake: Place the dish on the center rack and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly around the edges and the topping is deep golden brown. If the streusel is browning too quickly (around the 25-minute mark), tent the dish loosely with aluminum foil for the remaining time. The apples should be tender when pierced with a fork.
  7. Cool and serve: Let the crisp cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm, with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of heavy cream if desired.

Notes

For best results, use a mix of firm and soft apples (e.g., Granny Smith and Honeycrisp). Brown butter can burn quickly—watch it carefully. Let the crisp rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set. You can assemble the crisp (without baking) up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate; add about 10 minutes to the baking time if starting from cold.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple crisp, brown butter, oat streusel, fall dessert, easy apple dessert, cozy dessert

Find it online: https://evabake.com/cozy-brown-butter-apple-crisp-with-oat-streusel/