Some recipes are good enough to serve at the church picnic. Some recipes are fine enough to take to the family barbecue. Other recipes you know will satisfy your office coworkers. Those savages will eat just about anything.
Then there’s the recipe that you pull out of your back pocket when you’re looking for love.
This beautifully simple Apple Crisp recipe is that “get a man (or woman!) and hold on to him (or her!) recipe”. If you already have that man, consider this your “it’s time for a ring” recipe, or your “sorry I scratched the bumper of our new car” recipe, maybe even the “thanks for working so hard today honey… I made the house smell like warm apples with this apple crisp just for you” recipe. See, I’m looking out for you.
This recipe is the perfect balance of warm memories and good love. The warm apples tossed with sugar and cinnamon beautifully collide with the toasted, crunchy topping.
It’s a dream come true.
So the Bake a Warm Apple Crisp and Get a Man experiment hasn’t yet worked for me. That’s mostly because I haven’t tried it yet.
But Ann, the generous lady at Fidget who was kind enough to share this recipe with me, has had oodles of success. She wooed her husband with this very recipe and still has requests for the apple crisp from Mr. Fidget six years later. It works!
Sit and Stay Awhile Apple Crisp
recipe from Ann of Fidget
bake in an 8×8 baking dish or double the recipe and bake in a 9×13 dish
Filling:
5 to 6 medium-size apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/4-inch slices. (About 7.5 cups) + a squeeze of half a lemon
3 tbsp granulated sugar
1.5 tsp cinnamon
Topping:
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/3 cups lightly packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon + 1 tsp sea salt
1 stick unsalted butter, well-softened
2/3 cup finely chopped pecans (optional)
1/3 cup old fashioned oats
Preheat the oven to 350. Generously grease an 8×8 baking pan with butter.
Place a layer of apple slices in the bottom of the pan and dust with sugar/cinnamon mixture and lemon juice. Continue layering apples and dusting with cinnamon/sugar until done. Toss the apple mixture until evenly coated in cinnamon sugar. The apples should be just about to the top of the pan (they will cook down).
For the topping, place the flour, brown sugar, nuts, cinnamon, salt and oats in a large bowl and stir well with a wooden spoon. Work the butter into the mixture with your fingertips until evenly distributed. Take one full handful of the topping and toss it into the sugared apple mixture. Spread the rest of the topping evenly over the apples. (I usually end up with a dough-like topping that I just lay on top of the apples).
Bake the crisp in the dish on a baking sheet on the center oven rack until the topping is crunchy and the apples are bubbling, 55-60 minutes.
Serve hot; it’s excellent with vanilla ice cream.
Melissa Decker
Twelve years since you posted this recipe, and I’m still making it for people that I love!
kate
Hi! I’m trying this recipe, but I did not get a “dough like” texture for the topping. It’s more crumbly and loose. Maybe I’ll try doubling the butter next time, not sure how else to achieve “dough” otherwise.
Thanks!
Kate
Johanna
And the pecans are not “optional.” Have your epipen ready if you’re allergic.
Shalini Kala
I made it using molasses instead of sugar and walnuts instead of pecans, it turned out yum. Thanks
elizabeth
i just made this for a dinner party i threw and it was a aaaamazing. everyone thought it was delicious. the apples carmelized perfectly and the crumble topping was the perfect texture. i followed the recipe exactly and it turned out great. thanks for another winner, joy!
Rachel
I make this recipe several times a year and I’m so grateful to have it. Apple crisp is a dessert my mother made every Sunday, and this brings back her recipe as best as I can imagine. It was a hit over the Thanksgiving weekend, and for that (and you and your blog) I am thankful =)
(Also – I sub coconut oil for butter and add a pinch of sea salt to the topping and it turns out wonderfully.)
Kate S.
This looks absolutely AMAZING! I had a quick question for you – do you think this would keep if I prepped the dish and stored it in the refrigerator the night before, and baked it the following evening? I have a dinner party with some girlfriends and I would LOVE to make this, but I wouldn’t have time to prep it, cook it, and bring it over between work and the dinner. Thanks for your help!
Danielle
Ever since I made my fiancé (then boyfriend… it worked!) this crisp for the first time, he actually asks for me to make it on a daily basis. Earlier today we were talking about Thanksgiving desserts and he said, “and apple crisp?!” He thinks it’s appropriate for any holiday… thanksgiving, christmas, columbus day… ha ha. Anyway, great recipe! I’m making it tonight for our whole family.
Margaret
Hi! I really want to make this but I only have a microwave and no conventional oven. Any way I can use the microwave to bake this and still get good results?
joythebaker
Hmmmm, that’s a tough one. I’m on the opposite spectrum, I only have a conventional oven and no microwave. I wouldn’t recommend the microwave, but you may want to try a Google search to see if it’s possible.
Megan
My husband loves apple crisp and I have been searching for a good recipe for a while. This is The One. It made him very happy, which makes me very happy. Thank you Joy!
Tanya
Joy – if you substitute old-fashioned oats, will it increase the cooking time?
joythebaker
It should be old fashioned oats, thanks for pointing that out. Recipe is updated!
Crystal
Made this this after and loved it. Can’t wait to make it again because my whole family devoured it so I have none left for a tomorrow snack. Thanks for the amazing recipe.
thebuddinggourmet
very delicious. thanks for sharing :)
Alexa
Hi! I love your site and this recipe. I found it a few years ago and I have been making this crisp every fall ever since! I am only 15, but I love to cook and bake. I want to be you when I grow up!
Bethany
Made this tonight for dinner with some girlfriends, but after tasting it, I know I am going to have to make a pan for the boyfriend pronto. Seriously. This is the best apple crisp EVER. Of all time.
joythebaker
it really is that good. i’m so so glad you loved it!
Emma
Oh my God. I made this apple crisp for a boy last night and it was a hit, to say the least. He even asked to take the rest of the pan home with him. (Fat chance!)
I used Golden Delicious apples and they were awesome; I’ll use them again next time.
Ap
Hi Joy,
I made this crumble tonight, but the crust didn’t turn out that ‘crumbly’. What could have caused that?
Emily knox caldwell
I don’t know if this question has been asked or not, but I’m doing to know what china pattern the apple crisp is in! It looks similar to my noritake (i have an inherited mix and matched collection of allure, sherwood, melrose,and shenandoah) and your pattern looks very similar but with different colors!
Jenna
currently in the oven and the house smells so great, AH! i love being home from college, i missed my kitchen. thanks joy! :D
KerryAnne Eisenach
My husband works really hard, he deserves to come home to Apple Crisp! ;0)
I read this post twice, wondering if you have a preferred apple that you use? We are fans of Braeburn and Gala…but will they hold up?
LOVE this site, I laugh out loud every time I read something here. Baking=JOY!
Susan
Just made this recipe for my family and they absolutely loved it!
The four of us polished off the whole thing in under 20 minutes!
Definitely the BEST apple crisp I’ve ever had. Thanks so much for sharing!
Susan
Jody
Um, Joy? This apple crisp is badass!!!!
Thank you for sharing!
Jody (Joy, with a ‘d’)!
SusanK
This is in the oven at this very moment!
Aleah
WOW, just discovered your stie and am officially in love with you, in a total foodie way. My fiancee` is absolutely OBSESSED with apple crisp. Fathers Day cannot come quick enough, really looking forward to busting this one out on him. Thanks!
Naoise
This is a lot like apple crumble. It would be yummy with rhubarb instead of apple. Do you know if there is anyway to convert cups to metric? I live in Ireland. Oh wait, sorry. I’ll just ask Google.
Brendy
Hi Joy, I am making this for the 24 for family and friends.I just love apple crisp or pies anything with warm apples and ice cream.I am starting on this hobby/passion of baking.I hope it turns really good, my husband is a Cheff so I have to impress him and his family.!!
Catherine
Hi Joy! I made this, and took some pieces to a friend and she had them while hot and adored them. I had mine at home and added hot custard! So good. The weather here is very cold and it was scrumptious and hit the spot.
Nohemi
OMG, I absolutely loved this recipe…can we say YUM YUM YUM…it was a huge hit this Thanksgiving…Thank you so much for sharing it. I turned out to be a piggy and ate 1 full 8×8 pan of it in a span of 3 days….(shaking my head) Is that terrible? Well check out my blog http://nomeecreations.wordpress.com I show off my baking skills using your recipes :)
gleek
my crisp is in the oven RIGHT NOW for a thanksgiving day treat!
Erin
Making this crisp for a boy on Monday! Guess I’ll be putting it to the test! :)
Clara
I tried this last night and wanted to tell you it was AMAZING. Though I did forget to get oats, it turned out delicious. Thanks for sharing!
Smitten with Crispin
I made this crisp the first time a man I was seeing came over to my apartment to “watch a movie.” It was a complicated relationship to say the least…He was only visiting and we literally lived in different countries at the time. Lo and behold, 5 months later the same boy I baked for… moved across the ocean and the sea to live in the same city with me. And my oven still gives me a big ole wink every night when he comes home to me. Joy- you inspire my life.
joythebaker
i LOVE this comment. you are darling!
Bridget
This is the first time I am glad my mom doesn’t read a blog that I do… because she wouldn’t like what I am about to say…. This apple crisp is better than hers. Oh goodness; this is awesome. Thank you :)
Therese
I laughed when I read, “Some recipes are good enough to serve at the church picnic. Some recipes are fine enough to take to the family barbecue. Other recipes you know will satisfy your office coworkers. Those savages will eat just about anything.” I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks that way! I’m making the apple crisp for my husband, the apple crisp connoisseur, today.
linda
Hi Joy:
Today, after reading your newly discovered blog, while dieting, I made this dessert for a friend
of mine who is currently housebound and famous for her apple crisp. She plotzed! Thought this was
waaaay better than hers. So I am pleased to say, that not only do I get smiley pleasure from reading
your blog, I was thrilled to see the recipes work! and are so yummy, as I kenew they would be! (On to the more complex, with not a shred of doubt!)
I think I’m old enough to be your mother (whew, not your forgotten 80 year old grandmother)…are
you available for adoption???
Shannon
This was FANTASTIC. Without thinking about it I diced the apples, and I’m not sure what kind they were as we picked them ourselves, so it was a little mushier than should be, but amazing all the same! Thank you for another winner!!!
Caroline
OhmygodIcan’tstop.
Just made this…home alone…1/3 of the pan is already gone and there’s no end in sight. Help.
You are amazing–more fall recipes pleeeeeeez!
Brenda
This is THE BEST apple crisp I have ever had! Thank you so much for sharing Joy!
Tea
I’m 12 years old and I’ve been reading your recipes since last year, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE them! I always find one I like on Saturday or Sunday morning and my Mom and I love to make your recipes! Especially during the holidays, you’re a family favorite!
joythebaker
you totally made my day Tea! thank you!
Anonymous
hi lynne, a stick of butter is 1/2 cup in the U.S.
enjoy the crisp!
lynne piil
Hey,
I have just discovered your blog and love it. I am in Toronto Canada, and I don’t know what a ‘stick’ of butter is….can you help?
Made apple tarte yesterday and love, love, loved it
Lynne
Sara
Joy, thanks for such a FABULOUS recipe. Let me just tell you that I really do not care for apple desserts but I can’t say that any longer! I love this apple dessert and it is good reheated the next day too. I couldn’t talk while I was eating this because I was moaning in bliss from this recipe. Serve this with ice cream or real whipped cream. I did not miss a bottom crust as there is enough of the “crisp” to go around. Most recipes skimp, but not this one. So, take it from someone who really does not like apples, and does not like apple desserts, that this is a winner and you will love this perfect recipe.
E
Just made this for my fam. Served w vanilla ice cream. So great. We all thank you!!!!
Nicole M.
Joy,
This recipe is just awesome!!! I’m more of a chocolate kind of gal, but I made this by special request from my boyfriend. Boy, was it super yummy!!! He loved it too!!! Warm with vanilla ice cream is the best!!! All the recipes I’ve tried from your site have turned out so well that I just keep coming back to see what I wanna try next!!!! Thanks so much!!! :-)
joythebaker
it’s just the best ever, right!? so glad you liked it!
Paige C.
Joy, this was FABULOUS! I am continually impressed by your amazing recipes. Thanks!
Kellee
Joy, I just made this for my family…wanted you to know the response.
My sister “you should write her a thank you note. every day of the year. this could get you like 3 husbands.”
my other sister: ” every time you come home, you make yummy things and I get fat. I wish you came back more.”
My whole family thanks you. This is truly the most delicious thing of all time.
Cate
Joy, could the butter be substituted with coconut oil do you think? I love, love apple crisp and just wondered as I have some I want to use.
Stephanie
I made this over the weekend and it was so good. Especially with vanilla ice cream. Will definitely be making this again :)
Maria
I have to say, I just have to tell you how much I love this apple crisp. I made it for Thanksgiving and made extra on purpose to have plenty of leftovers for the week. It lasted a week… and it was just delicious!
It’s simple enough to throw together on a weeknight, and super satisfying- thanks for posting it!
Lori
Yum, yum, yum… mine is still cooling but I keep swiping bites of it. It’s begging for vanilla ice cream! I used only macintosh apples… I know they got really soft when cooked, but it’s a childhood thing that I can’t get over. In crisp and in pies you can never go wrong with a mix of different apples (though delicious stay too hard, IMO).
One little addition that I think would put this over the top… a pinch or two of salt in the topping mixture. :>)
Thanks for posting this!
Stephanie
What kind of apples do you recommend using?
AJ
Hi Joy,
I am making this recipe on Friday for my friends in college. I am so excited but nervous as well. fingers crossed hope it all goes well. :)
Jess
I don’t know if they’re available in America (or wherever you are – there I go, making assumptions…), but I think Granny Smiths would be prefect for this. My Nana makes a similar dessert, and she swears by the Granny Smiths. Hope this helps:)
Jen-
Just made this tonight, it was deelish! Unfortunately I was halfway into it when I realized I was out of oats. So I used 3 packets of my kiddo’s oatmeal (2 apple cinnamon and 1 cinnamon roll flavors). Aaaand, I didn’t have cinnamon, but only cinnamon sugar. So I added a pinch of cloves to boost the flavor.
Still, despite my inability to follow it precisely, it was fantastic! We topped it with a teensy bit of Mexican Praline icecream from Bluebell.
I have some leftover for tomorrow. Feel free to drop by and I’ll make you a heeping bowl. :) Thanx for the awesome recipes & inspiration!!!
Ariella
can you use plain old-fashioned oats instead of quick oats?
thanks!
christine louise
my roommates & i loooove apple crisp! it’s a weekly tradition of ours to make it and watch mtv. i can’t wait for the three of us to try this recipe. thanks! (:
Sarah
Made this apple crisp last night, and it was wonderful! Thanks, Joy!
Geraldine
So good Joy your inspiration has changed my baking. This recipe inspired me to make my first apple pie. All from scratch. It gave me such happiness. Who knew watching people you love eat something your so proud of would could change a rotten day into a sunshiny day.
Mandie
wow, this recipe looks perfect. My mom LOVES apple crisp, so I might make this for her just because she’s so sweet.
Missie
I just made this! It is SUPER amazing!
Julz
I had to post after I made this fantastic apple crisp! I used to live in a house that had a prolific apple tree in the yard. I am well-versed in apple crisp, or so I thought until I tried your recipe! This is fantabulous!!
So scrumptious that my sweetie ate almost the whole thing before I had a chance to have seconds! Yum – E!!
Thanks for this recipe and for your blog — it always perks me up when I need perking up ;)
Stephanie E.
Hello! I just baked this and am scarfing it down as I type! I added pears to this recipe and it is seriously the best thing I have ever made and/or eaten. I want to thank you for posting such amazing recipes!
Claire Mason
That recipe looks fantastic, but even better are the pictures! What kind of camera do you use?
Elizabeth
Hi Joy, me again, to report back that this recipe is success! I had an extra pie crust so I made enough apple filling and crumb coat for a small round pan and for the pie. I cooked down the apples before I put them in the pie crust to try and keep the liquid from making the crust all soggy and it worked! We had some guys over fixing our phone lines the day we made this and they kept commenting on how good the kitchen smelled, I felt bad it wasn’t done until after they were gone…h well, more for me!
Thanks for this one, it will become a standby for sure!
Kari
I’m going to make this for Christmas Eve Dinner!! Yum! Thanks!
Chris
This is definitely the first recipe on the “Things To Make When I Have a Boyfriend” list. :-D
Chelsea
It Works!!!!! I made it on Saturday and he bought the ring on Monday. Seriously! Thank you a million times over.
Also, I added pears and pomegranete seeds with the apples. Still a wonderfully delicioius dessert and gorgeous color.
Sarah
Hello, can you tell me what the best storage method for apple crips is? Should it be kept in the firdge or on the counter, and how long does it stay good for either way?
Yvonne
Loved your web site. I saw it in the Seattle P.I. this morning and will certainly visit it often. Thought it strange that there was not a Print option for printing the recipes.
Thanks
Stephanie
Made this last night w/ some fresh Mac apples for a small gathering of friends – a lovely aroma wafted throughout the whole house! Received many compliments along the lines of “this is the best thing I’ve ever tasted!” and witnessed many orgasmic-like facial expressions. Thanks for sharing, this one takes the cake! :)
Jaina
Delicious! Add a little vanilla ice cream on top for me and I’m good to go :)
kimberleyblue
Apple crisps are my favourite! This looks great – thanks for posting a new recipe for me to try!
Sarah
Update: I tried it, it was fabulous, my house was filled with the delicate aroma of apples and cinnamon.
A winner by all accounts and thanks for sharing this!!!
Kevin Conroy
I made this Saturday night for my mom and grandmother who were visiting us to see their new grand daughter. They’re still talking about the apple crisp this morning! Thanks for helping making it a memorable dinner!
Angela
I made this tonight for 2 girlfriends and we devoured it! SO DELICIOUS! I have this urge to make it every night for the rest of my life…
Shannalee
What an adorable story, and, oh, if only life were always so simple that feeding a boy you liked the perfect apple crisp would make him like you, too. :)
Colleen
Ahhh… this is a variation on the “vault” recipe from my Grandma. My mom has laminated a copy that was hand written by my Grandma. And yes, my husband loves me even more when I make it!
Erin
I’ve seen a lot of apple crisp recipes, but this looks like one of the best!
Emiline
Looks fabulous!
I might have to bake this to get myself a man…
Catie
Thank you for this recipe! It brings back so many memories of living at home with my grandma. The smell of fresh baked apple crisp out of the oven after coming home from school. Love it!
My First Kitchen
Today, it’s cold, cloudy, and Friday. My kitchen graciously contains the above ingredients, and my afternoon now has a purpose. If my husband decides to proclaim his love for me (again), I’ll let you know that the Bake An Apple Crisp and Get a Man technique can indeed work for someone other than the crisp’s creator.
Amy (Sing for your supper)
This looks great!! I just made a pear crisp using my standby apple crisp recipe (but using pears instead, obviously). I bet your recipe would be awesome with pears, too!! Its hard to stray away from apples, though! I’m definitely going to have to try this…it really looks delicious! :-)
Rebecca
I actually dreamt about this last night. No kidding! It really must be a good recipe to travel all that way and get into my head in London! Now I *have* to make it.
Memoria
First of all, thanks for (sort of) addressing the men and women who are more interested in getting a woman. Secondly, that dish looks simply scrumptious! I think I’ll try that dish to get a woman! I need one haha!
Kevin
What an amazing looking apple crisp!
Culinarywannabe
I have a friend who desperately wants to “get a man!” Maybe we will conduct a little experiment to see if it will work for her and I’ll let you know how it goes. My man will probably be kept as long as I always make sure to have ketchup in the fridge! Gotta love when they’re easy to please! :)
rosepetal88311
I absolutely LOVE your site. Whenever I am looking for something to bake, I always come here to see what delicious yummies you have made. Thank you for careing enough to share.
Maria
This apple crips looks fantastic! I love the topping!!
Lucy
I have two huge bags of apples in my kitchen…and that looks a fabby cause for some of them!
Tiffany
apple crisp is a regular in our house (and also how i wooed my husband)! as a matter of fact, we had an apple crisp last night. it’s so comforting and just plain fantastic!
patsyk
Looks like the perfect recipe for me to make a treat for my husband! He adores apple crisp.
Alejandra
oh i will definitely make this for my boyfriend. He loves anything apple and cinnamon and caramel!!
snooky doodle
Thanks for this great recipe I ll try it next time I make apple crisp :-) looks delicious and hey I want my man to love me more :)))
Natalie
I’m making a doubled version of this right now and after 60 minutes the middle apples are still crunchy and the topping is dry and floury. What to do to save it?!
joythebaker
I’m so sorry that didn’t work out for you. It sounds like you might need a bit more butter. It might help to move the pan from the top to the bottom for baking.
Ann
I’m so glad you liked it! It’s just pure comfort (and wooing) food to me. :)
Sarah
Ooh, and I just got some fresh picked apples from a friend yesterday! Woohoo!!!
Katie
Perfect time of year for this. This is making me really hungry.
Jingle
This looks simply amazing. It may even be better than Mom’s. But SHHHH!!! Don’t tell her I said that!
Aimee
I’d stick around for a bowl of this crisp. Funnily enough, I’ve made two already this week: my honey isn’t going anywhere!
Katie
Wow! That looks soooooooo cinna-mini-deliciousness. Yes, and that’s a word. Just soooo you know. :)
niftierthanthou
That looks amazingly delicious. I’m definitely making it this weekend.
Gina
Looks delish…so does everything else here..glad I found your blog
Siri
Hi Joy! Just thought I should comment on today’s post because a)your crisp looks damn fine, and b)I just made a post on my blog about the recipe that helped me wooe my husband 5 years ago- Cranberry Bread. Funny coincidence, no?
Joeli
I make an apple crips recipe that’s very similar to this (a bit more oats and a bit less flour for the topping) and I can definitely confirm that it is a winner. It was one of the first things I baked for my now husband–it’s practically foolproof, unlike the some of the other things I tried to bake for him (stupid lemon meringue pie). Looking at yours makes me want to make it again!
peabody
Looks like a keeper.
joythebaker
hi aimee- i’m sorry i never mentioned it! i used granny smith apples. the super bright and tart kind. you might also try pink ladies. those are nice too!
food librarian- the smell was outta this world. thanks!
food librarian
Oh my gosh. I can SMELL this and I want it!! Looks delicious and as always, great photos that make us all drool!
aimee
hi! i was just wondering if there is a specific apple that works best for this recipe. thanks so much for sharing!