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Ultimate Salted Caramel Apple Crisp with Oat Crumble

Salted Caramel Apple Crisp - featured image

This isn’t just another apple dessert. It’s the version you’ll actually crave, with a rich salted caramel filling and a perfectly crisp oat crumble that stays crunchy even after a day in the fridge.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt, plus more for finishing
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 6 cups peeled, sliced apples (about 45 large apples, a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 cup prepared salted caramel sauce (reserve the rest for drizzling)
  • 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

Instructions

  1. Make the Salted Caramel Sauce: Place the granulated sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon. The sugar will clump up at first, then slowly melt into a liquid. Be patient—this takes about 6-8 minutes. Once the sugar is completely melted and turns a deep amber color, immediately add the butter pieces. The mixture will bubble up violently, so keep stirring until the butter is fully incorporated. Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring. Again, it will b…
  2. Prepare the Apple Filling: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour the dry mixture over the apples and toss well to coat every slice. Drizzle in 1/4 cup of your cooled salted caramel sauce and stir again. Let the apples sit for about 10 minutes while you make the crumble.
  3. Make the Oat Crumble: In a medium bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, chopped pecans, cinnamon, and salt. Pour the melted butter over the dry ingredients and stir with a fork until everything is moistened and clumps together. Don’t overmix—you want some larger clumps.
  4. Assemble and Bake: Pour the apple filling into your greased baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle the oat crumble evenly over the top. Don’t press it down. Place the dish on a baking sheet to catch any drips. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the filling is bubbling around the edges and the topping is golden brown. If the topping browns too quickly, tent the dish loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes.
  5. Finish and Serve: Remove the crisp from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes. Right before serving, warm the remaining salted caramel sauce and drizzle it generously over the top. Finish with another pinch of flaky sea salt. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Notes

Don’t skip toasting the oats and pecans in a dry skillet for 3-4 minutes before mixing the crumble for extra nutty flavor. Watch the caramel closely as it can go from perfect to burnt in about 30 seconds. Use a mix of apple varieties like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp for best texture. Let the crisp rest for 15-20 minutes before serving to allow the filling to thicken. Don’t overmix the crumble to ensure a crispy topping.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple crisp, salted caramel, oat crumble, fall dessert, apple dessert, caramel apple crisp