Though it can be hard to narrow down, I think we all have a dessert or two that shouts perfection to our palates. I confess that my tastes are really quite simple; my two favorite desserts are still chocolate chip cookies and apple crisp. Don’t bother with the time consuming crust for me, simple baked apples with a sugar-crumble topping is all I need for a true comfort sweet.
My current favorite recipe is still this Crumbly Maple Apple Crisp. I made it for my Uncle’s birthday (he too prefers to forgo the pie crust) and everyone raved, even though I snuck in whole wheat flour, unpeeled fiber-rich apples, and oats on them! But, when grandma later requested a “traditional” apple crisp … well, I can never disappoint my sweets loving grandma. So this Grandma’s Easy Apple Crisp is made with the simple everyday ingredients!
All you need is six ingredients to prepare this beautifully golden apple crisp. It’s a perfect way to enjoy apples this apple season. It’s an easy dessert to prepare for any occasion as well. I do use a bit of Earth Balance’s new soy-free margarine to keep the whole dessert dairy-free and soy-free, but if you can’t locate it, any dairy-free margarine will work. It’s also easily made gluten-free by subbing in your favorite all purpose gluten-free flour.
Special Diet Notes: Grandma’s Easy Apple Crisp
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, nut-free, peanut-free, vegan, plant-based, and vegetarian. Optionally soy-free and gluten-free.
- 5 to 6 medium-sized apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (about ⅛ to ¼-inch thickness)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ to 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, to taste (optional)
- ¾ cup powdered sugar, divided (can sub granulated sugar in a pinch)
- ¾ cup all-purpose or whole wheat pastry flour
- ¼ cup dairy-free buttery spread or sticks
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF.
- In a large bowl, toss the apples with the lemon juice and cinnamon, if using.
- Spread half of the apples in an 8x8-inch or equivalent baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the apples with about half of the powdered sugar (1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons). Top with the remaining apples.
- In a small bowl, sift or whisk together the remaining powdered sugar and the flour. With a fork, pastry blender, or your fingers, blend in the butter alternative until the streusel mixture looks like coarse bread crumbs.
- Sprinkle the streusel evenly over your apples.
- Bake the crumble for about 55 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the topping is golden. You can broil it for 1 to 2 minutes if you would like to crisp up the topping more.
