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Easy Wholesome Brown Butter Apple Crisp: Best with Oat Streusel

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A quick and easy apple crisp with a nutty brown butter oat streusel topping, made with simple ingredients and perfect for fall gatherings. This happy accident turned into a beloved dessert that’s both wholesome and indulgent.

Ingredients

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

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Position a rack in the center of the oven. Grease your baking dish lightly with butter or cooking spray.
  2. Brown the butter: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon. It will foam and turn from yellow to a golden amber color with brown specks at the bottom. This takes about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat immediately when it smells nutty and is the color of a hazelnut. Pour into a heatproof bowl to stop cooking.
  3. Prepare the apples: In a large mixing bowl, toss the sliced apples with maple syrup, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. Let sit while making the streusel.
  4. Make the oat streusel: In a medium mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour the slightly cooled brown butter over the dry ingredients and stir until moistened and clumping together. Fold in nuts if using.
  5. Assemble the crisp: Spread the apple mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the oat streusel over the top, covering the apples completely. Do not press down.
  6. Bake: Place the dish on a baking sheet. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until topping is golden brown and apples are bubbling around the edges. If topping browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes.
  7. Cool and serve: Let the crisp cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes. Serve warm, preferably with vanilla ice cream or Greek yogurt.

Notes

Don’t skip browning the butter; it adds a nutty depth. Use a mix of apples for best texture. Watch the butter closely to avoid burning. Let the crisp rest for 15-20 minutes before serving to thicken juices. Double the streusel topping if desired.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://elaraeats.com/easy-wholesome-brown-butter-apple-crisp-best-with-oat-streusel/