Tart cranberries, fresh apples, a hint of cinnamon, brown sugary sweetness and a golden oat topping come together to make this fabulous cranberry apple crisp. It is the perfect fall dessert and would be a fun addition to your Thanksgiving dessert spread too.
Everything about this delicious cranberry apple crisp screams fall. It is the perfect not too sweet dessert that brings together two of autumn’s most iconic fruits.
Of course the oatmeal crisp topping makes it amazing and a scoop of vanilla ice cream doesn’t hurt. You are to want to make it over and over all fall long.
I am sure we have all had a good apple crisp. It is one of those iconic recipes that everyone should have in their recipe box.
About the Recipe
I shared my great grandma’s recipe for apple crisp a few years back. It is a fabulously healthy version with no added sugar.
No sweet tooth is going to mind having more than one apple crisp recipe in their box though, so I thought it would be fun to add cranberries to the mix. The apples and cranberries with a hint of cinnamon is such a fabulous combination.
Of course with a pound of cranberries mixed in, it needed some sugar. Those babies are tart! I opted for the warmth and ease of brown sugar this time.
What kind of cranberries should I use?
Fresh or frozen cranberries work well for this recipe. If you are using frozen, you’ll want to make sure they are defrosted first.
That will help ensure most of them pop during cooking allowing the flavors to meld. If they stay whole you might be in for a few tart shocks to the taste buds along the way!
What kind of apples should I use?
Because the cranberries are so tart, I would recommend a sweeter apple that is still good for baking. Though you can use whatever you have and like.
If you do use a more tart apple like a granny smith, you may want to consider compensating with more brown sugar, a drizzle of maple syrup or honey.
I always like using Jonathan apples or Jonagolds for baking as well. A scrumptious honey crisp or gala would be yummy as well.
Pink ladies, Braeburns and envy apples are all delicious baking choices as well. It’s really hard to go wrong, just some will end up mushier than others.
Feel free to peel the apples if you would like. Or you can leave the peel on if you don’t mind it.
It would add a little extra nutritional value to your final dish and save a few minutes of prep time. Either way the results are going to be scrumptious.
Tell Me About That Yummy Oatmeal Crisp Topping
Well, I’m glad you asked! 😉
The mixture of butter, brown sugar and oatmeal is always going to have my attention. I used some lovely Irish oatmeal for this, but any rolled oats would work.
This topping is substantial enough to give you plenty of crunch. After all it’s that golden topping that earns the crisp its name.
Serving Suggestions
- A scoop on its own is a fabulous treat, but a scoop of vanilla ice cream makes it even better!
- Don’t have ice cream? Try a dollop of whipped cream, or maple whipped cream or cream cheese whipped cream instead!
- Want an excuse to have some leftover apple cranberry crisp for breakfast? No problem! It is fruit and oatmeal after all. But a dollop of yogurt makes it even more acceptable.
While this crisp would be fabulous all fall long, I think it would make an extra special addition to your Thanksgiving dessert table. Can’t you just imagine it now?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you store cranberry apple crisp?
If you are eating your crisp the same day you make it, it does not need to be refrigerated. For longer storage, cover the crisp with plastic wrap or put it in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 5 days.
What is the difference between a crumble and a crisp?
Both have a layer of fruit topped with a crunchy topping. A crisp usually includes oats and/or nuts and a crumble doesn’t.
More Tasty Fruit and Vegetable Crisps
If you like apple crisp, you are going to love this mock apple crisp. It tastes just like apples but is made with zucchini instead!
Our blackberry patch always gives us tons of plump berries. We usually make a fresh blackberry crisp during the summer and several more from frozen berries throughout the winter.
Peach crisp can be made with fresh, frozen or canned peaches. They are all delicious!
For another fun twist on a classic apple crisp, try making apple crisp with condensed milk. It has a bit of something creamy and sweet added to make it extra special.
What are your favorite fruits to make crisps out of?
Love this recipe? Give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review in the recipe card below!
Cranberry Apple Crisp
Ingredients
Fruit Layer
- 3½ cups baking apples diced
- 1 pound cranberries fresh or defrosted
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- 3 Tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Crisp Topping
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- ½ cup butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F and grease a 9×13″ baking dish.
- Clean, core, peel and dice your apples in 1/4″ to 1/2″ cubes.3½ cups baking apples
- Put apples, cranberries, brown sugar, flour and cinnamon in greased baking dish and toss them all together.1 pound cranberries, 1 cup light brown sugar, 3 Tablespoons all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- In a medium bowl, toss together oats, flour, brown sugar and melted butter until well combined. Sprinkle over fruit in baking dish.2 cups rolled oats, ½ cup all purpose flour, ½ cup light brown sugar, ½ cup butter
- Bake for 45-55 minutes or until fruit juice is bubbling and crisp topping is golden brown.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies
Sunday 6th of October 2019
What a great idea to add cranberries to the crisp! I think I even have some cranberries in the freezer ;)
Carlee
Thursday 26th of September 2019
Thank you
Camilla M. Mann
Wednesday 25th of September 2019
Carlee, this crisp looks divine. I can't wait to make a crisp with cranberries AND apples. I love that pop of tartness.
Carlee
Thursday 26th of September 2019
It really is a nice combo of sweet and tart, thank you!
Sue Lau
Saturday 21st of September 2019
This crisp looks seriously perfect. I need to keep it in mind for Thanksgiving brunch. I am sure everyone would love it.
Carlee
Thursday 26th of September 2019
It would be a great addition to your brunch.
A Day in the Life on the Farm
Friday 20th of September 2019
Apples and cranberries were made for each other. I agree with Karen, this is a perfect Thanksgiving dessert.
Carlee
Thursday 26th of September 2019
We should all make it this year!