Gala Apple Crisp Delight
Indulge in the irresistible flavors of this Gala Apple Crisp Delight, inspired by the beloved Barefoot Contessa recipe! This dessert boasts a crunchy topping reminiscent of buttery shortbread cookies, making it the perfect complement to tender, sweet apples. With just the right balance of spices, this crisp is not overly sweet, allowing the natural flavors of the fruit to shine through. With my favorite Gala apples on sale, I couldn't resist, and the result was spectacular! Feel free to customize with your preferred berries or stone fruits if you like. This apple crisp maintains its delightful crunch even when stored in the fridge, making it an excellent make-ahead dessert for gatherings. Serve warm or at room temperature for a comforting treat any time of year!
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Gala apples
2.5 lbs (peeled, cored, and cut into bite-sized pieces)
Orange zest
1 teaspoon (freshly grated)
Lemon zest
1 teaspoon (freshly grated)
Orange juice
2 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
Lemon juice
2 tablespoons (bottled or freshly squeezed)
Granulated sugar
1/2 cup
Flour
1/4 cup
Ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon
Ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon
Flour
1.5 cups
Brown sugar
3/4 cup (light brown, packed)
Granulated sugar
3/4 cup
Rolled oats
1 cup
Butter
1 cup (cold and cubed (2 sticks))
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Peel and core the apples, then cut them into bite-sized pieces.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the apple pieces with the orange zest, lemon zest, orange juice, lemon juice, 1/2 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix until the apples are well coated.
4
Transfer the apple mixture to a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
5
In a separate bowl, combine the remaining flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and oatmeal. Add the cold, cubed butter.
6
Using a pastry cutter or your hands, mix the ingredients until the mixture becomes crumbly and resembles coarse crumbs.
7
Crumble the topping evenly over the apple mixture in the baking dish, ensuring all the apples are well covered.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
9
Allow the crisp to cool for a few minutes before serving to avoid burning your mouth. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gala Apple Crisp Delight?
Gala Apple Crisp Delight is a comforting dessert inspired by the Barefoot Contessa, featuring sweet Gala apples and a crunchy, buttery shortbread-like topping.
What type of apples are recommended for this recipe?
This recipe specifically uses Gala apples, though you can customize it with other favorite apples or stone fruits.
How many servings does this apple crisp make?
This recipe yields approximately 8 servings.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How do I prepare the apples?
Peel and core the apples, then cut them into bite-sized pieces.
What size baking dish is required?
A lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish is required for this recipe.
What citrus ingredients are used in the filling?
The filling uses orange zest, lemon zest, orange juice, and lemon juice.
Is the topping similar to a cookie?
Yes, the topping is reminiscent of buttery shortbread cookies.
What spices are used in the apple mixture?
The apples are coated with ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg.
How long does the apple crisp need to bake?
It should bake for about 50 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
Can I make this dessert ahead of time?
Yes, it is an excellent make-ahead dessert and maintains its crunch even when stored in the fridge.
Should the butter for the topping be melted?
No, the butter should be cold and cubed when added to the topping mixture.
What type of oats should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of rolled oats.
How much sugar is in the topping?
The topping contains 3/4 cup of packed light brown sugar and 3/4 cup of granulated sugar.
How much sugar is in the apple filling?
The apple filling uses 1/2 cup of granulated sugar.
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
Yes, you can use either bottled or freshly squeezed lemon juice.
What is the weight of the apples needed?
You will need 2.5 lbs of Gala apples.
How do I mix the topping?
Use a pastry cutter or your hands to mix the ingredients until they become crumbly and resemble coarse crumbs.
Is this recipe very sweet?
It is designed with a balance of spices and is not overly sweet, allowing the fruit's natural flavor to shine.
Should I serve this warm?
You can serve it warm or at room temperature.
Can I add berries to this recipe?
Yes, feel free to customize the recipe with your preferred berries.
How much butter is required?
The recipe requires 1 cup of butter, which is equivalent to 2 sticks.
Does the recipe use orange zest?
Yes, it calls for 1 teaspoon of freshly grated orange zest.
How much flour is used in total?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of flour in the filling and 1.5 cups of flour in the topping.
Why should I let the crisp cool before serving?
It is recommended to let it cool for a few minutes to avoid burning your mouth.
Is the brown sugar packed?
Yes, the 3/4 cup of light brown sugar should be packed.
What makes the topping crunchy?
The combination of cold butter, flour, sugars, and rolled oats creates the signature crunch.
What kind of orange juice is recommended?
Freshly squeezed orange juice is recommended for the best flavor.
Is this a good holiday recipe?
Yes, it is tagged for holiday baking and is a great comfort food option.
How do I ensure the apples are well coated?
Mix the apple pieces thoroughly with the zest, juices, sugar, flour, and spices in a large bowl before baking.