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Irresistible Salted Caramel Apple Crisp – Easy & Cozy

Salted caramel apple crisp - featured image
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A simple and honest dessert featuring soft, jammy apples with a crunchy oat-pecan topping and a ribbon of salted caramel running through the middle. Perfect for cozy fall evenings and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 medium Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced into 1/4-inch thick pieces
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for caramel)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces (for caramel)
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream, at room temperature (for caramel)
  • 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt (for caramel, plus more for finishing)
  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for topping)
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes (for topping)
  • 3/4 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for topping)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Make the Salted Caramel: In a small saucepan over medium heat, add 1/2 cup granulated sugar. Let it melt undisturbed for about 3-4 minutes, swirling the pan occasionally, until it turns a deep amber color. Add the butter pieces (the mixture will bubble up) and whisk until fully melted and incorporated. Slowly pour in the heavy cream while whisking constantly. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt. Set aside to cool slightly.
  2. Prep the Apples: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Peel, core, and slice apples into even 1/4-inch thick pieces. In a large mixing bowl, toss the sliced apples with 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Let sit for about 5 minutes.
  3. Make the Oat Pecan Topping: In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add the cold cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work it into the dry ingredients until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs with some larger clumps. Stir in 3/4 cup chopped pecans.
  4. Assemble the Crisp: Spread the apple mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Drizzle about half of the salted caramel over the apples. Sprinkle the oat pecan topping evenly over the top, covering the apples completely.
  5. Bake: Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling up around the edges. If the topping browns too quickly, tent the dish with foil for the last 10 minutes.
  6. Finish and Rest: Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes. Drizzle the remaining salted caramel over the top and sprinkle with an extra pinch of flaky sea salt before serving.

Notes

Don’t skip the lemon juice; it brightens the apples and prevents browning. Watch the caramel closely as sugar can burn quickly. Let the crisp rest for 15 minutes after baking to allow the filling to set. Use cold butter for the topping to achieve crispy clusters. Toast pecans first for deeper flavor if time allows.

Nutrition

Keywords: salted caramel apple crisp, apple crisp, fall dessert, easy apple dessert, oat pecan topping, homemade caramel

Find it online: https://leilameals.com/irresistible-salted-caramel-apple-crisp-easy-and-cozy/