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Cozy Brown Butter Apple Crisp with Oat Crumble

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A cozy, comforting apple crisp made with nutty brown butter and a crunchy oat crumble topping. This happy accident turned family favorite is perfect for chilly evenings and features a rich, caramel-like flavor from browned butter.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6–7 medium apples (about 2.5 lbs or 1.1 kg), peeled, cored, and sliced into 1/4-inch thick slices (mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp recommended)
  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons (16g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly grated is best)
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice
  • 1 cup (2 sticks or 226g) unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups (135g) old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup (150g) packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Brown the butter: Place 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Melt completely, then continue cooking, swirling occasionally, until the butter foams, the foam subsides, and tiny brown specks form at the bottom (about 5-7 minutes). When it smells nutty and turns golden-amber, remove from heat immediately and pour into a heatproof bowl to stop cooking.
  2. Prepare the apples: While butter cools slightly, peel, core, and slice apples into 1/4-inch thick slices. In a large bowl, toss apple slices with granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice until evenly coated. Set aside.
  3. Make the oat crumble: In a medium bowl, combine rolled oats, 1 cup flour, brown sugar, and salt. Pour slightly cooled brown butter and vanilla extract over dry ingredients. Mix with a fork or fingers until crumbly with some larger clumps. Do not overmix.
  4. Assemble the crisp: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour apple mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle oat crumble evenly over the top; do not press down.
  5. Bake: Bake for 40-45 minutes, until filling is bubbly around edges and topping is deep golden brown. If top browns too quickly after 30 minutes, tent loosely with foil. Apples should be tender when pierced with a fork. Let cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

Don’t skip browning the butter—it’s the key flavor. Watch it closely to avoid burning. Use a mix of apple varieties (Granny Smith and Honeycrisp) for best texture and flavor. Slice apples evenly (1/4-inch thick) for even cooking. Let the crisp rest for 15-20 minutes after baking to allow juices to thicken. Make extra crumble and bake separately for snacking. For gluten-free, use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and certified gluten-free oats. For vegan, use high-quality vegan butter (e.g., Miyoko’s or Earth Balance).

Nutrition

Keywords: apple crisp, brown butter, oat crumble, fall dessert, easy apple dessert, comfort food

Find it online: https://twinkletaste.com/cozy-brown-butter-apple-crisp-with-oat-crumble/