Baked Apple Cinnamon Crisp ~ Betsi's World

Baked Apple Cinnamon Crisp

Fall has arrived and with it all the tastes, smells, and delicious Fall food! We love apples – fresh, cooked, in cobblers…..apples are just one of our favorites, and our home is filled with them. This baked apple cinnamon crisp is one of our Fall favorites, and it is so easy to make!

The crisp tinge to the air is the perfect time for baking apple crisps, and this recipe is so easy that your family will be clamoring for more! With the perfect balance of sweet and tart, your clan will love this apple dessert.

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One taste of this delicious dessert and you’ve won’t believe it is both gluten and refined sugar-free. The addition of fresh thyme adds a subtle savory note to the otherwise sweet flavor profile of this classic recipe.

Baked Apple Cinnamon Crisp is so easy to make, and it just creates such a sensory experience throughout your house!

The Best Apples to Use for Baked Apple Cinnamon Crisp

Using a firm apple with a bit of tartness is ideal for this dessert. Granny Smith, Pink Lady, or even Honey Crisp apples will hold up well during baking.

red apples spilling out of a rustic basket on a black background

What You Need to Make Baked Apple Cinnamon Crisp

Apples – again choose a firm apple. The top choice in our home is the Pink Lady.

Lemon Juice – You can juice your own lemon, or I love shortcuts, and always keep Nellie & Joe’s Key West Lemon Juice on hand.

Real Maple Syrup – there is nothing better than natural maple syrup! And we love Vermont Maple syrup.

Apple Juice – look for sugar-free apple juice that is 100% natural apple juice.

Ground cinnamon – this spice lends such a festive flavor to anything, but it especially highlights the apple flavor in this dish.

Allspice – Allspice is a traditional spice used in many apple dishes.

Salt – salt is used to enhance and bring to the forefront some of the more subtle flavors of this dish.

Fresh Thyme Leaves – this lends a fresh twist on an old favorite dish.

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 45-50 minutes
Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

6 large apples, cored, peeled, and sliced
1 T. fresh lemon juice
1/3 c. real maple syrup
2 T. 100% apple juice (sugar free)
1 t. ground cinnamon
½ t. ground allspice
1½ t. fresh thyme leaves
¼ t. salt

Topping Ingredients:

1 c. old-fashioned rolled oats
1/3 c. almond flour
1/3 c. almonds, sliced
1/3 c. honey, preferably local
3 T. unsalted butter, melted

Directions:

Place the top oven rack in the center position and pre-heat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8” x 8” baking dish and set aside.
Place apples in a large non-reactive bowl and toss with fresh lemon juice. Add maple syrup, apple juice, cinnamon, allspice, thyme leaves, and salt. Toss to combine and set aside.
Combine topping ingredients in a separate bowl and stir until oats are thoroughly coated and all ingredients are well combined. Set aside.
Pour apple mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer. Spread the topping evenly across the top in a uniform layer, as well.
Place into a preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. If the top layer is nicely browned, cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning. Continue baking for another 15-20 minutes or until the apple crisp is nice and bubbling. Remove from oven and set aside to cool for 5-10 minutes.
Serve warm with some vanilla bean iced cream or freshly whipped cream, if desired. Enjoy!