This Brown Butter Apple Crisp is a warm and comforting dessert that’s hard to resist! It combines sweet apples with a buttery, crunchy topping that makes every bite delicious.
The best part? That brown butter adds a nutty flavor that takes this simple dish to the next level. I love serving it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top—pure happiness!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Apples: Granny Smith apples are great for their tartness that balances the sweetness, while Honeycrisp adds extra juiciness. If you’re in a pinch, any tart apple like Braeburn or Jonagold will do just fine!
Lemon Juice: This adds brightness to the apples and prevents browning. If you don’t have fresh lemons, you could use bottled lemon juice, but it’s best with fresh for flavor.
Brown Butter: The star ingredient! Brown butter gives a wonderful depth of flavor. If you’re short on time, regular melted butter works, but you might miss that nutty taste.
Oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats create a nice texture. If you prefer a gluten-free version, try certified gluten-free oats.
Nuts: I love adding chopped walnuts for a bit of crunch, but if nuts aren’t your thing or if allergies are a concern, feel free to skip this ingredient altogether!
How Do I Get the Perfect Brown Butter?
Getting brown butter just right takes a little patience. The key is to melt the butter slowly. Here’s how to do it:
- Use a light-colored saucepan. This helps you see the color change.
- Start on medium heat and stir often. This keeps the butter moving and prevents burning.
- Watch closely! Once it turns a golden brown and smells nutty, turn off the heat immediately.
Remember, the residual heat will continue to cook it a bit more, so don’t leave it unattended!
Why Should I Let It Cool Before Serving?
Letting your Brown Butter Apple Crisp cool for a few minutes helps the juices thicken a bit more and makes it easier to serve. Plus, it’s so good warm, but not piping hot—this way the ice cream won’t melt too quickly when you add it on top!
Brown Butter Apple Crisp
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Apple Filling:
- 4 large apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (to toss with the apples)
For the Topping:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
For Serving:
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful Brown Butter Apple Crisp takes about 15 minutes of prep time and 40-45 minutes to bake. That’s a total of about an hour for a delicious dessert that’s sure to impress!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Oven and Baking Dish:
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s warming up, lightly grease an 8-inch square baking dish or similar-sized dish with butter or non-stick spray. This will help your crisp come out easily later.
2. Create the Apple Mixture:
In a large bowl, toss together the sliced apples with the lemon juice, granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, and 2 tablespoons of flour. Make sure all the apple slices are well coated in the mixture. Then, set the apple mixture aside to soak in those flavors!
3. Brown the Butter:
Now, let’s get to that delicious brown butter! In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, stirring it frequently. Keep watching until it turns a golden brown and starts to smell nutty—this should take about 4-5 minutes. Once it’s done, remove it from heat right away to avoid burning.
4. Prepare the Topping:
In a medium bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, salt, and any nuts if you’re using them. Pour the warm brown butter over this mixture and stir until everything is evenly combined and crumbly.
5. Assemble the Crisp:
Take your prepared baking dish and pour in the apple mixture, spreading it out evenly. Then, sprinkle the brown butter oat topping generously over the apples, making sure to cover them well.
6. Bake to Perfection:
Pop the dish into your preheated oven and bake for about 40-45 minutes. You’re looking for the topping to be golden brown and the apples to be bubbly and tender. The aroma will fill your kitchen and make your mouth water!
7. Cool Down Before Serving:
Once it’s done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly. This helps the juices thicken and makes it easier to serve.
8. Serve and Enjoy:
Serve your warm Brown Butter Apple Crisp with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top. Enjoy every comforting bite of this delicious dessert!
Can I Use Other Fruits Instead of Apples?
Absolutely! You can substitute the apples with other fruits like pears, peaches, or mixed berries. Just keep in mind that different fruits have varying levels of sweetness and moisture, so you may want to adjust the sugar or flour accordingly.
What Should I Do If I Don’t Have Brown Sugar?
If you don’t have brown sugar on hand, you can easily substitute it with white sugar, but it may lack that deep flavor. To mimic brown sugar, you can mix white sugar with a bit of molasses (1 tablespoon of molasses for every cup of sugar) for a similar taste and moisture.
Can I Make This Recipe Gluten-Free?
Yes! To make it gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and ensure your oats are certified gluten-free. This way, you can enjoy the crisp without any gluten issues!
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop it in the microwave or warm it in the oven until heated through. It’s also delicious served cold!