Easy Apple Cranberry Crisp: The Perfect Autumn & Holiday Dessert with a Buttery Topping
As the leaves begin to turn and a crisp chill fills the air, there’s nothing quite as comforting and inviting as a warm, homemade dessert. This **Apple Cranberry Crisp** is the epitome of fall and holiday baking, combining the nostalgic flavors of apple pie with the vibrant, tart burst of fresh cranberries. Topped with an irresistible, buttery, and spiced crisp, it practically begs for a generous scoop of melting vanilla ice cream. Forget complicated recipes; this delightful dessert is designed for ease and maximum flavor, making it a perfect addition to your autumn and winter entertaining arsenal.
Whether you’re hosting a grand Thanksgiving feast, a cozy Christmas dinner, or simply looking for a comforting treat on a chilly weeknight, this Apple Cranberry Crisp stands out. Its vibrant colors and balanced sweet-tart profile are sure to impress your guests and warm the hearts of your loved ones. Alongside my beloved crockpot apple cobbler, this recipe truly rounds out my collection of essential fall desserts!
The Appeal of Apple Cranberry Crisp: A Must-Have Holiday Dessert
As the festive season approaches, every home cook needs a repertoire of show-stopping desserts that are both delicious and manageable. This Apple Cranberry Crisp effortlessly ticks both boxes. It’s a wonderful alternative to traditional pies, offering a lighter, crumbly texture that’s equally satisfying. The combination of sweet, tender apples from the pie filling and the bright, tangy pop of cranberries creates a dynamic flavor profile that is truly irresistible.
The beauty of a crisp lies in its simplicity and rustic charm. Unlike a pie, there’s no fussing with a perfect crust. Instead, a golden, streusel-like topping provides a delightful contrast to the soft fruit underneath. This makes it an ideal choice for busy holiday schedules, allowing you to whip up a gourmet-tasting dessert without the stress. Serve it warm straight from the oven, and don’t forget to have plenty of vanilla ice cream or freshly whipped cream on hand – it’s the ultimate pairing that transforms this simple crisp into an extraordinary treat.
Essential Baking Tips & Tricks for the Perfect Apple Cranberry Crisp
Achieving a perfectly golden, bubbly, and flavorful crisp is simpler than you might think. Here are some pro tips to ensure your Apple Cranberry Crisp turns out flawlessly every time:
- No Fancy Equipment Needed: For mixing the batter, a hand-held mixer is perfectly adequate. There’s no need to lug out a heavy stand mixer, keeping cleanup minimal and the process quick.
- Evaporated Milk vs. Sweetened Condensed Milk: It’s crucial to distinguish between these two. Evaporated milk is unsweetened and has a thicker consistency due to reduced water content. Sweetened condensed milk is, as its name suggests, very sweet and much thicker. If you find yourself without evaporated milk, don’t fret! You can easily make your own by simmering 2 1/4 cups of regular milk down until it reduces to 1 cup. This ensures you get the right consistency and richness for your crisp batter.
- Fresh or Frozen Cranberries: This recipe is incredibly versatile when it comes to cranberries. You can use either fresh or frozen cranberries. If opting for frozen, there’s no need to thaw them beforehand. Simply toss them in frozen with your apple pie filling. They will thaw and soften beautifully during baking, releasing their tangy juices and infusing the apple filling with their distinct flavor.
- Prepping Ahead: To save time on the day you plan to serve, you can assemble the entire crisp ahead of time. Cover it loosely and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, pull it out of the fridge about 20-30 minutes before baking to allow it to come closer to room temperature while your oven preheats. This helps ensure even baking.
- Oven Temperature Consistency: Ovens can sometimes be inconsistent, especially older models. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can help you verify that your oven is truly reaching and maintaining the correct temperature (350°F in this case). Proper temperature control is key to a perfectly baked crisp – golden brown on top and bubbly underneath.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: When combining the wet and dry ingredients for the batter, mix just until everything is well combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, potentially leading to a tougher texture rather than a tender, crumbly one.
- The Magic of Boiling Water: Pouring boiling water over the sugar and spice mixture on top of the batter before baking is a trick that helps create a wonderfully gooey, caramelized sauce beneath the crisp topping, enhancing both flavor and texture.
Key Ingredients for this Irresistible Apple Cranberry Crisp
The beauty of this recipe lies in its approachable ingredients, many of which you likely already have in your pantry. Here’s what you’ll need to create this comforting fall dessert:
- For the Filling:
- Apple Pie Filling: Using canned apple pie filling is a fantastic shortcut that saves time and guarantees perfectly tender, spiced apples. Choose a good quality brand for the best results.
- Fresh or Frozen Cranberries: These vibrant berries add a crucial tart counterpoint to the sweetness of the apples, preventing the crisp from being overly sugary and adding a beautiful color.
- For the Batter (Crisp Topping):
- Unsalted Butter: Softened butter is key for creaming with sugar and creating a rich, tender base for the crisp.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness to the topping.
- All-Purpose Flour: The structural base for the crumbly topping.
- Baking Powder: Helps create a slightly lighter texture in the topping.
- Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Evaporated Milk: Adds richness and moisture to the batter, contributing to its unique texture. Remember the tip about making your own if you’re out!
- For the Spiced Glaze:
- Cornstarch: Acts as a thickening agent for the glaze, ensuring a luscious, not watery, consistency.
- Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Allspice: The classic trio of warming fall spices that elevate the aroma and taste of this crisp to new heights.
- Water: Combines with the sugar and spices to form the delicious glaze that bakes into the fruit.
Helpful Kitchen Tools to Make Baking a Breeze:
- Handheld mixer: Perfect for easily creaming butter and sugar.
- Chef’s knife: Useful for halving cranberries if desired (though not strictly necessary for frozen).
- Mixing bowl: Essential for preparing the batter and the spice mixture.
- 9×9 square baking pan: The ideal size for this recipe, ensuring proper baking and serving portions.
- Whisk: For combining dry ingredients and the spiced glaze components.
- Wooden spoon: Great for spreading the batter evenly over the fruit.
- Ice cream scoop: For serving generous portions of your delicious crisp with ice cream.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Bake the Perfect Apple Cranberry Crisp
This recipe is straightforward and forgiving, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels. Follow these simple steps for a truly delicious result. Remember, you can prep this dessert ahead of time and place it in the refrigerator. Just pull it out about 20 minutes before baking, while your oven is preheating, to ensure even cooking.
- Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for even baking from the moment your crisp goes in.
- Prepare the Fruit Base: Lightly spray a 9×9 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spread the entire can of apple pie filling evenly across the bottom of the dish. Then, sprinkle the fresh or frozen cranberries over the apple filling. Gently fold them in just a little to distribute them throughout the apples, ensuring every bite gets a mix of flavors.
- Create the Batter: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and 1/4 cup of the sugar using your handheld mixer. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy – this incorporates air and makes the batter tender.
- Finish the Batter: Reduce your mixer speed to low. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and evaporated milk to the butter mixture. Once these ingredients are added, turn the mixer up to medium speed and continue mixing until everything is just well combined and forms a thick batter. Avoid overmixing.
- Layer the Batter: Using a spoon, carefully spread the prepared batter evenly over the fruit layer in your baking dish. It doesn’t need to be perfect, just ensure the fruit is mostly covered.
- Prepare the Spiced Topping: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the remaining 3/4 cup of sugar, cornstarch, nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice until thoroughly combined. This spice blend will create a fragrant and flavorful crust. Sprinkle this sugar and spice mixture evenly over the batter on the fruit.
- Add the Boiling Water: Heat 1 cup of water in the microwave until it reaches a rolling boil. Carefully pour this boiling water evenly over the sugar and spice mixture in the baking pan. This step is key to creating a rich, caramel-like sauce that permeates the crisp as it bakes.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the baking dish into your preheated oven and bake for 55 to 60 minutes. The crisp is ready when the topping is golden brown, the fruit filling is bubbling around the edges, and your kitchen smells incredible.
- Serve Warm: Let the crisp cool for a few minutes before serving. This allows the fruit filling to set slightly. It’s absolutely divine served warm with a generous scoop of classic vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly homemade whipped cream. Enjoy every spoonful of this comforting autumn delight!
Serving and Storing Your Apple Cranberry Crisp
This Apple Cranberry Crisp truly shines when served warm, allowing the rich aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice to fill the air. The contrast between the warm, tender fruit and the crisp topping is simply divine. While vanilla ice cream is a classic and highly recommended accompaniment, don’t hesitate to get creative! A dollop of fresh whipped cream, a drizzle of warm caramel sauce, or even a sprinkle of toasted pecans can elevate this dessert even further.
If you happen to have leftovers (which is a rare occurrence with this recipe!), they can be stored. Simply cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can warm individual portions in the microwave for a quick treat, but for the best results and to re-crisp the topping, bake the entire dish or individual servings in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through and the topping is crunchy again.
This apple cranberry crisp is ideal for special occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas, bringing a festive and comforting close to any holiday meal. However, its straightforward preparation also makes it a fantastic choice for any fall weeknight when you’re craving a delicious, warm, and satisfying treat. It’s a perfect combination of two of our favorite autumn flavors, delivering warmth and joy in every spoonful.
Explore More Delightful Fall & Holiday Desserts
If you’ve fallen in love with this Apple Cranberry Crisp, you’re in for a treat! The world of autumn and winter desserts is rich with comforting flavors and textures. Here are some more of our favorite recipes that are perfect for the season:
- Pear Peach Crisp: This Apple Cranberry Crisp recipe was actually based on my popular Pear Peach Crisp, utilizing the same delicious topping batter and the genius trick of adding water instead of relying solely on can juices. If you love this crisp, you’ll adore its fruity cousin!
- Stewed Pears in Red Wine: For an elegant and uniquely flavored dessert, try these delicious Stewed Pears! Doused in magical holiday flavors like cinnamon and star anise, these red wine stewed pears are a sophisticated must-have for the fall and winter season.
- Rhubarb Crisp (for Spring): While this particular recipe celebrates fall, when spring arrives, be sure to transition your crisp cravings to our delightful Rhubarb Crisp. It’s a tart and sweet sensation!
- A Collection of Crisps and Cobblers: Can’t get enough of these comforting baked fruit desserts? Check out all the incredible cobblers and crisps we have collected – there’s a flavor for every season and occasion.
- Cranberry Caramel Bars: For a portable and equally festive treat, be sure to try my cranberry caramel bars. They’re perfect for taking along to potlucks, holiday parties, or as a sweet snack any time.
- 3-Ingredient Apple Pie Cupcakes: Looking for something super quick and easy? These sweet little apple pie cupcakes are made with just three simple ingredients: cake mix, apple pie filling, and eggs. Minimal effort, maximum deliciousness!
- Air Fryer Baked Apples: Warm and tender apples stuffed with cinnamon-sugared oats and pecans, these air fryer baked apples are one of fall’s sweetest dessert options, incredibly simple and quick to make in a snap!
Apple Cranberry Crisp
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It
Rate It
Save ItSaved!
Ingredients
- 21 ounce can of apple pie filling
- ½ cup halved fresh or frozen cranberries
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup sugar divided
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup fat free evaporated milk
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- 1 cup water
Things You’ll Need
-
Hand mixer
-
Mixing bowls
-
9×9 baking pan
-
Whisk
-
Wooden spoon
-
Ice cream scoop
-
Chef’s knife
Before You Begin
- A hand held mixer is fine, no need to pull out the big stand mixer for this.
- Evaporated milk is not the same as sweetened condensed milk. However if you don’t have any evaporated milk on hand, you can create your own. To make 1 cup of evaporated milk, simmer 2 1/4 cups of regular milk down until it becomes 1 cup.
- You can use either fresh or frozen cranberries for this dessert. If you are using frozen, don’t thaw them, just toss them in frozen.
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350 F.
-
Spread apple pie filling in the bottom of a 9 x 9 inch sprayed
-
baking dish. Sprinkle cranberries on top fold in just a little to spread them around.
-
Cream together butter and 1/4 cup of the sugar in your mixer until light and fluffy. Turn mixer down to low and add the flour, baking powder, salt and evaporated milk. Turn mixer up to medium and mix until well combined. Spread the batter over the fruit with a spoon.
-
Whisk together remaining 3/4 cup of sugar, cornstarch, nutmeg, cinnamon and allspice. Sprinkle sugar mixture over the batter on the fruit.
-
Heat the water in the microwave until boiling then pour over the sugar mixture in the baking pan.
-
Bake in preheated oven 55 to 60 minutes. Serve with vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped cream.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
This post originally appeared here on Jan 8, 2013, and has been updated and expanded for clarity and enhanced reader experience.