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Ultimate Brown Butter Apple Crisp with Oat Streusel (Easy Fall Dessert)

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This brown butter apple crisp features a nutty, caramel-like flavor from browned butter, tender apples, and a crunchy oat streusel topping. It’s a simple yet impressive fall dessert that’s perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks or 226 grams) unsalted butter
  • 6 medium apples (about 3 pounds or 1.4 kg), a mix of sweet and tart varieties like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith
  • ½ cup (100 grams) packed brown sugar (for filling)
  • ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar (for filling)
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons (16 grams) cornstarch
  • 1½ teaspoons (4 grams) cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon (1 gram) freshly grated nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon (1 gram) salt (for filling)
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (90 grams) old-fashioned rolled oats
  • ¾ cup (90 grams) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (100 grams) packed brown sugar (for streusel)
  • ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar (for streusel)
  • 1 teaspoon (3 grams) cinnamon (for streusel)
  • ½ teaspoon (3 grams) salt (for streusel)
  • ½ cup (1 stick or 113 grams) brown butter, slightly cooled (for streusel)

Instructions

  1. Brown the butter: Place 1 cup unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Melt completely, then continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the butter foams, the foam subsides, and golden brown specks form at the bottom. This takes about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat immediately and pour into a heatproof bowl. Let cool for about 10 minutes.
  2. Prep the apples: Peel, core, and slice the apples into ¼-inch thick slices. Place in a large mixing bowl. Add brown sugar, granulated sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla extract. Toss until evenly coated. Set aside.
  3. Make the oat streusel: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour the slightly cooled brown butter over the dry ingredients. Mix with a fork or your fingers until the mixture forms clumps resembling wet sand with some larger pebbles. Do not overmix.
  4. Assemble the crisp: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer the apple mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle the oat streusel evenly over the top. Do not press it down. Place the dish on a baking sheet.
  5. Bake: Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges. If the topping browns too quickly, tent loosely with aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before serving.

Notes

Watch the butter carefully as it browns; it can go from perfect to burnt in about 30 seconds. Use a mix of apple varieties for best flavor and texture. Let the crisp rest for at least 20 minutes after baking to allow the juices to thicken. For extra crunch, toast the oats in a dry skillet before adding to the streusel.

Nutrition

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

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