Decadent Twice-Baked Caramel Apple Crisp
Indulge in the delightful layers of this Decadent Twice-Baked Caramel Apple Crisp. This heavenly dessert is crafted with tart green apples, cinnamon-spiced oats, and a luscious caramel drizzle, making it the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. The first layer of juicy apples is baked to tender perfection, then topped with a buttery oat crumble that gets crisp in the oven. To elevate the experience, it’s served warm with a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream and an extra drizzle of caramel sauce. Perfect for gatherings or a cozy night in, this recipe is sure to impress your family and friends and become a cherished favorite at any occasion.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
tart green apples
7-8 (peeled, cored, sliced into 1/4-inch strips)
granulated sugar
1 cup (for sprinkling)
packed brown sugar
1 1/3 cups (for the oat topping)
all-purpose flour
1 cup (for the oat topping)
quick-cooking oats
1 cup (for the oat topping)
unsalted butter
2/3 cup (melted)
ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tablespoons (for flavoring)
ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon (for flavoring)
ground ginger
1 teaspoon (for flavoring)
caramel sauce
10 ounces (preferably from Starbucks)
vanilla ice cream
to serve (optional, for serving)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2
Prepare two baking dishes by spraying a 9 x 13 inch and a smaller 8 x 8 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray.
3
Peel, core, and slice the tart green apples into 1/4-inch strips. Divide the apple slices evenly, arranging half in the 9 x 13 pan and the other half in the 8 x 8 pan. Sprinkle each layer of apples with 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, allowing the sweetness to penetrate the fruit.
4
In a large mixing bowl, combine the packed brown sugar, all-purpose flour, quick-cooking oats, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, and melted unsalted butter. Stir well until the mixture is uniformly moist.
5
Sprinkle half of the oat mixture over the apples in the 9 x 13 pan. Drizzle 1/4 to 1/2 cup of caramel sauce over this layer for an added burst of flavor.
6
Place both pans in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the apples start to soften.
7
Once baked, remove the pans from the oven. Layer the apples from the 8 x 8 pan over the apples in the 9 x 13 pan, creating a delightful second layer.
8
Top the new layer of apples with the remaining oat mixture and drizzle another 1/4 to 1/2 cup of caramel sauce over the top.
9
Return the dessert to the oven and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown and crisp.
10
Allow the dessert to cool slightly before serving. For an indulgent treat, serve warm with scoops of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of additional caramel sauce on top.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Decadent Twice-Baked Caramel Apple Crisp?
It is a layered dessert featuring tart green apples, a cinnamon-spiced oat crumble, and rich caramel sauce, baked twice for a unique texture.
What type of apples are best for this recipe?
Tart green apples, such as Granny Smith, are recommended to provide a balance to the sweet caramel and sugar.
How many apples do I need?
The recipe calls for 7 to 8 tart green apples.
Why is this recipe called 'twice-baked'?
It is baked in two stages: first to soften the initial layers of apples, and then again after adding a second layer of fruit and topping to ensure perfect crispness.
What oven temperature is required?
The oven should be preheated to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
What size baking pans should I use?
You will need one 9 x 13 inch baking dish and one smaller 8 x 8 inch pan.
How should the apples be prepared?
The apples should be peeled, cored, and sliced into 1/4-inch strips.
What ingredients are in the oat topping?
The topping consists of packed brown sugar, all-purpose flour, quick-cooking oats, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, and melted unsalted butter.
Can I use old-fashioned oats instead of quick-cooking oats?
The recipe specifies quick-cooking oats for the best texture in the crumble topping.
Is the butter melted or cold for the topping?
The recipe requires 2/3 cup of melted unsalted butter to be stirred into the dry topping ingredients.
How much caramel sauce is needed in total?
You will need approximately 10 ounces of caramel sauce.
Is there a recommended brand for the caramel sauce?
The recipe suggests using caramel sauce preferably from Starbucks for an authentic flavor.
How long is the first baking period?
The first bake lasts for 15 to 20 minutes until the apples start to soften.
What do I do after the first 15-20 minutes of baking?
Remove both pans and layer the apples from the 8 x 8 pan over the apples in the 9 x 13 pan.
When do I add the remaining oat mixture?
The remaining oat mixture is added after the two layers of apples are combined in the larger pan.
How much caramel is drizzled during the assembly?
You drizzle 1/4 to 1/2 cup of caramel sauce over the first layer and another 1/4 to 1/2 cup over the final top layer.
How long is the second baking period?
The dessert is returned to the oven for an additional 15 to 20 minutes.
How can I tell when the apple crisp is finished?
It is done when the apples are tender and the oat topping is golden brown and crisp.
Should I grease the baking dishes?
Yes, you should spray both the 9 x 13 and 8 x 8 pans with non-stick cooking spray.
How much granulated sugar is used for the fruit?
One cup of granulated sugar is divided and sprinkled over the apple layers.
What spices are used for flavoring?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 tablespoons of cinnamon, 1 tablespoon of nutmeg, and 1 teaspoon of ginger.
Should I serve this dessert warm or cold?
It is best served warm to enjoy the gooey caramel and crisp topping.
What is the recommended serving accompaniment?
It is traditionally served with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream and an extra drizzle of caramel sauce.
Does the recipe use salted or unsalted butter?
The recipe specifically calls for unsalted butter.
Can I make this for a party?
Yes, this recipe is perfect for gatherings and is sure to impress family and friends.
How do I prepare the pans for the first bake?
Divide the apple slices evenly between the two pans and sprinkle each layer with sugar before baking.
What makes the apple layers special?
The apples are allowed to sit with sugar so the sweetness penetrates the fruit before baking.
Can I add more caramel sauce at the end?
Yes, serving with an additional drizzle of caramel sauce is highly encouraged for an indulgent treat.
Is the oat mixture moist or dry?
Stir the topping ingredients until the mixture is uniformly moist from the melted butter.
What makes this recipe a 'cherished favorite'?
The combination of tart fruit, aromatic spices, and a buttery, twice-baked crisp creates a high-quality, decadent experience.