Finding Comfort in the Kitchen with a Cinnamon Apple Crisp Recipe
Sitting on our deck, I watch a gaggle of wild turkeys scratching at the dirt and pecking dried grass fronds. A few have flown into the yard, trapped by the fence, flapping and panicking until Ric opens the gate. Instead of calmly walking out, they fly over the fence, leaving us wondering why they didn’t just do that in the first place.
As I sit with this little slice of wild chaos, I think about the rituals that ground us, such as baking this apple crisp recipe, a dessert that feels steady and reassuring, no matter what else is happening in the world.
The Normal That Grounds Us
I once read that when fear or panic sets in, it helps to do something “normal” to steady yourself. These days, with uncertainty swirling around us, I’ve found that baking is my way back to calm. The simple rhythm of peeling apples, tossing them with cinnamon, and layering them beneath a buttery oat topping centers me in the present moment.
Ric runs miles most days, using the steady cadence of his feet as a form of meditation. An artist friend has taken up classes, even though she’s already accomplished, because learning something new grounds her. We each find our own rituals, and for me, it’s recipes like this apple crisp recipe that remind me how small acts of creation can soothe the soul.
Why This Apple Crisp Recipe Feels Like Home
Warm, soft apples spiced with cinnamon, topped with a golden oat crumble that bakes into sweet, buttery perfection, this is comfort in dessert form. The aroma alone feels like a hug, filling the kitchen with the cozy scents of fall.
A homemade apple crisp may not solve the world’s problems, but it delivers something small and powerful: nourishment, coziness, and a reminder that joy often resides in the simplest of places.
Apple Crisp Recipe
Ingredients
For the Apple Filling
- 2 pounds 4–5 assorted baking apples (I used 3 Granny Smith and 2 Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced thin
- Juice from 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup water
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch salt
For the Crisp Topping
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup oats quick-cooking or rolled
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter cold and cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Butter an 8–9 inch square or round baking dish.
- In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice. Sprinkle over the flour, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon, and toss again to coat. Place the apples loosely into the prepared baking dish.
- Stir together the water and vanilla, then pour over the apples. Drizzle the melted butter evenly across the top.
Make the crumble topping
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold butter pieces and use your fingers to rub it into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Assemble and bake
- Scatter the crumble topping evenly over the apples. Bake on the middle rack for 35–40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbling underneath.
Serve
- Allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm, plain or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Notes
Other recipes you may like to try:
LAND OF TROLLS AND APPLE CAKE
APPLE CHERRY PIE RECIPE
ANNA’S APPLE PIE
Find more recipes and wellness inspiration at A Nourished Life by Eva Marie.
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