This old-fashioned recipe for Grandma’s Apple Crisp is loaded with tender apples and a buttery and sweet crisp topping. Serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream for a heavenly comfort food dessert.
In This Post
This recipe brings back such great memories. It’s from my husband’s Grandmother, Elizabeth Johns. When Rob and I were first married, he asked me to make Grandmother Johns’s apple crisp for him. It was an honor to receive her handwritten recipe card, and even though I have the ingredients and instructions memorized, I get filled with joy when I see her lovely handwritten words on that little card.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Apple Crisp Recipe
- It’s flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla, making it a fall and winter dessert that’s like a warm hug with every bite.
- Baked in a casserole dish and whipped up using just one bowl, it’s a simple recipe that takes just minutes to make.
- You can make it with pantry ingredients you already have on hand and use any apple you like.
- Apple crisp is more straightforward than apple pie, and with no pie crust required, it can be served right out of the oven. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you’ll be on cloud nine!
What’s The Difference Between Apple Crisp And Apple Crumble?
This recipe could easily be called a crumble. A crisp traditionally has an oat topping, whereas a crumble has more of a streusel topping. Chopped pecans, almonds, or walnuts are also sometimes used in the toppings.
Ingredients You Need To Make Grandma’s Apple Crisp
- Apple – I use a combination of Granny Smith and Honey Crisp
- Granulated Sugar
- All-purpose Flour
- Butter
- Water
- Vanilla
- Salt
- Ground Cinnamon
- Ground Nutmeg
What Type Of Apple Is Best For This Recipe?
For this recipe, you can use almost any kind of apple. I like a combination of Honeycrisp and Granny Smith for a sweet yet tangy flavor. Other varieties to consider:
- Gala – sweet with a soft texture.
- Fuji – readily available in the grocery store and great for cooking, baking, or eating as a snack.
- Granny Smith – crisp and tart with a firm, crunchy texture.
- Jonagold – mellow flavor that’s not too sweet and wonderful for baking and cooking.
- Honey Crisp – juicy, sweet, and super crunchy.
Do The Apples Need To Be Peeled?
I like to peel the apples for this recipe. You can certainly leave them on; just make sure to wash the apples first.
How To Make Homemade Apple Crisp
- First, make the topping. In a bowl, combine the sugar, flour, and a pinch of salt. Add the cubed butter and mix it into the dry ingredients using the back of a fork. Set aside.
- Next, peel and slice the apples. Place the apples in a buttered (or lightly coated with cooking spray) baking dish and pour over the vanilla water mixture. Sprinkle the apples with cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Top the apples with the butter-flour mixture. Bake in the oven for 45-50 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
- Remove it from the oven, rest for 5-minutes, and then you are ready to serve the best apple crisp recipe ever!
Apple Crisp Toppings
This is the fun part! Once the crisp has cooled a bit, a rich sauce will develop from the apple juices, butter, and sugar. It’s so good. Now, it’s time to make things extra special.
Vanilla Ice Cream is everyone’s favorite topping in my house. To take it to another level, add caramel sauce and chopped nuts. Fresh whipped cream is also a great choice.
How To Store And Reheat Leftovers
My family loves this delicious apple crisp, so there are rarely any leftovers. If you are lucky enough to have some, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in the microwave until heated through.
Craving More Apple Recipes? Try These:
- Skillet Cinnamon Apples
- Apple Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread
- Broccoli Apple Salad
- Apple Sausage Dressing
- Apple Spice Cake
- Crock Pot Applesauce
More Cozy Fall Desserts
If you tried this Grandma’s Apple Crisp Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Ingredients
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup softened butter cut into cubes
- pinch Kosher salt
- ¼ cup water
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 6 Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8×8 baking dish. Set aside.
- Add the sugar, flour, and a pinch of salt to a bowl. Add in the cubed butter, and mix it into the dry ingredients using the back of a fork. Set aside.
- Layer the sliced apples in the baking dish. Mix the water and vanilla and pour over the apples. Sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg over the apples.
- Using a large spoon or your hands, sprinkle the butter-flour topping evenly over the apples. Place in the oven and bake for approximately 50 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven, and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve with vanilla ice cream, or whipped cream
Video
Nutrition
Indulge: Southern Dessert Classics!
FREE EMAIL Bonus
Most-popular traditional southern sweets
Patty
Best apple crisp ever!!
Thank you, Patty! I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe. I am thrilled that you are cooking with me.
~Donya
Grace
This is the best Apple Crisp recipe which I have used for years. All other recipes call for oatmeal in the topping which isn’t the same as the real crisp topping. Thank you!
Thank you, Grace! I’m thrilled you liked the recipe and I’m so glad you are cooking with me.
~Donya
Donna
This is my new apple crisp recipe. It is the best of all the recipes I have made.
Thank you so much, Donna! Glad you are cooking with me.
~Donya
Beth
It was so good! Grandkids loved it, and it didn’t last past the evening! Definitely making again!
Thank you, Beth! So glad y’all enjoyed it and I’m glad you are cooking with me.
~Donya
Marge chicoine
Can I make this ahead of time?
It’s best made and enjoyed out of the oven.
~Donya
Stephanie Odell
We love this recipe! It’s out go-to to bring to events. So easy and SO delicious!!
Thank you so much! It’s perfect for fall.
~Donya
Angela
Sounds good, but can you give more detail on the vanilla-water mixture? I missed it somehow.
Thanks!
Hey there, Angela. Just scroll to the recipe card. You’ll get all of the details there – https://www.asouthernsoul.com/grandmas-apple-crisp/
~Donya
CJ
Same recipe my mom made and I still do. Loved this recipe since a child, and I’m 67 now!
Thank you CJ! What a great memory and I’m you glad you shared it with me.
~Donya