Skip to Content

Mom’s Delicious Apple Crisp – Easy Recipe!

This old fashioned apple crisp is so rich and full of sweetness it is truly a taste of home. 

Mom’s Delicious Apple Crisp is one of the easiest recipes I know of, that you can stop by the store on the way home, and present your family with this awesome apple crisp in a matter of minutes. 

Just core and slice some apples (I often add pears too!) and toss them in a bowl with sugar, butter and some lovely cinnamon.  The topping is just as easy, more sugar, oatmeal, butter and cinnamon. 

The secret to getting a crunchy apple crisp, one that’s bubbling with butter and apple juices is to make sure it bakes to the right temperature. 

And I show you how in my Tips To Make An Awesome Apple Crisp just below!

This post was originally published on September 4, 2016, updated on July 20, 2018 and November 26, 2018. 

You will need: two varieties of apples, bosc pears (optional), brown sugar, white sugar, butter, cinnamon, oatmeal, flour, Grand Marnier Liqueur (optional) 

Mom's delicious apple crisp with whipped cream in two red serving dishes

MOM’S DELICIOUS APPLE CRISP BACKSTORY

I like to prepare the apples just like I was getting ready to bake an apple pie.  My post about my Mom’s Apple Pie…. shows you what I mean.  

When you mix the varieties of apples, and the spices, like ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon, the result is amazing!  And I always add a little lemon and lemon zest to bring out that sweet, juicy tartness.

Pressed for time? Try our Freezer Apple Pie Filling recipe so that you will always have apple pie filling ready to make this delicious apple crisp!

This apple crisp is one of those classic recipes that I often make up as I go along!  Sometimes I mix in oatmeal, sometimes just flour, and then again I’ll mix both. 

I think the secret to a great apple crisp is the apples and how you prepare them and also the crunchy sweet topping that is full of butter, brown sugar and other earthly delights!

apple crisp with whipped cream in two red serving dishes

My mother-in-law was a wonderful baker and this is her recipe.  I would often drop in at my in-laws for dinner after work and there was almost always a home baked dessert. 

As soon as I walked in the door, I knew apple crisp was on that night’s menu!  The delicious smells of baked apple, brown sugar and spices created such a wonderfully warm and comforting atmosphere.  Home.

A generous square of this sweet dessert, topped with a scoop of ice cream, well you just can’t beat it.  And with fall just around the corner, farmer’s markets, local food stands and grocers will be displaying fresh fall apples.

I’ll be making a trip to the country to get those early fall apples, McIntosh, Braeburns, Granny Smiths, and Melbas to name a few. 

They are so beautiful and smell so good when they are freshly picked.  My favorite apple is a McIntosh, and I often blend Granny Smiths with them for baking.

mom's delicious apple crisp getting ready to baked with butter, apples, pears, and dry ingredients in a green bowl with a red napkin and bottle of grand marnier

MOM’S DELICIOUS APPLE CRISP FAQ’s

Recipe Rated: Easy. 

How do you make good apple crisp from scratch?

  1. Peel all the apples and slice them thinly
  2. In a large bowl mix the apples, sugar, butter and spices
  3. Spread the apple mixture in the bottom of a  well greased 13 X 9 baking dish
  4. Spread the topping over the apples
  5. Top with pats of butter (I use lots of butter!)
  6. Bake, let cool and serve with a big ole scoop of ice cream!

What is the difference between apple crisp and apple crumble?

  • The difference between an apple crisp and apple crumble is the topping.  Apple crisp has oats, sometimes nuts, and bakes with a crunchy top.  An apple crumble is usually sugar, flour and butter, so that it crumbles rather than crunches.  Ha Ha, I think that makes sense!?

TIPS TO MAKE AN AWESOME APPLE CRISP

  1. Slice the apples thinly, thick pieces of fruit won’t bake as well
  2. Grease the baking dish well.
  3. Follow all of the instructions carefully.
  4. Make sure all of the apple slices (and pear) are well covered with sugar and spices!
  5. Place a sheet of aluminum foil loosely over the top of your apple crisp when you put it in the oven.  This allows the dish to steam and bake evenly. Remove during the last 15 minutes.

YOU MAY NEED…

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Thanks so much for being a part of You Can Live Rich On Less/Pie Lady Bakes!

I love these baking dishes by Le Creuset.  They are so heavy and have different sizes! And of course in my favorite color, cherry red!

IF YOU LIKED THIS APPLE CRISP RECIPE YOU MAY ALSO LIKE…

From left to right… Apple Pie Lasagna, Easy Apple Desserts Roundup, and Homemade Butter Tarts!

There are lots of versions of apple crisp recipes for you to try.  If you want a Healthy Apple Crisp Recipe, be sure to check out the Ambitious Kitchen!

two servings of Mom's apple crisp with whipped cream in red serving dishes

We have amazing apple recipes here on You Can Live Rich On Less – these are some my favourites!

MOM’S DELICIOUS APPLE CRISP

So here you go.  The best apple crisp recipe.  An old fashioned baked apple dish that is sure to warm the hearts of everyone who tries it.  And it will fill your home with a delicious aroma of baked apples and cinnamon sweetness.  This easy Apple Crisp recipe evokes memories of childhood, cozy kitchens, and a time of plain simple food.  Create some of those memories for your family & friends. That’s my wish for you. xo

If you like this recipe, please give it a 5 star rating.

two servings of Mom's apple crisp with whipped cream in red serving dishes

Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

An easy to make and bake apple dessert, full of crunchy goodness, brown sugar, butter, this fall & winter classic is always a crowd pleaser

Ingredients

  • 6 apples, medium
  • 2 bosc pears
  • ½ c white sugar
  • ½ c brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp. flour
  • 1 tsp Cinnamon
  • ¼ c Butter
  • ½ fresh lemon squeezed
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tsp Grand Marnier Liqueur

For the Topping

  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup coarse oatmeal
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F
  2. Grease a 9" square baking dish
  3. Peel, core and thinly slice the apples like you would for a pie mom's delicious apple crisp getting ready to baked with butter, apples, pears, and dry ingredients in a green bowl with a red napkin and bottle of grand marnier
  4. In a large mixing bowl, place the apples, sugars, flour, cinnamon and lemon
  5. Toss until the apples are well coated
  6. Place the apple mixture in the bottom of the baking dish spreading it evenly thinly sliced apples, pears and butter
  7. Cut the butter into small pieces about the size of a nickel and place them randomly over the top of the apple mixture
  8. Mix the topping ingredients together in a separate bowl and making sure the butter is spread and mixed well. Lots of yummy brown sugar & spices topping!
  9. The topping should clump together in your hand.
  10. Spread the topping thickly over the top of your apple mixture.
  11. Bake in the oven at 350F for 55 minutes or the best timing for your oven.
  12. Top with freshly whipped cream or ice cream and Enjoy! Mom's delicious apple crisp with whipped cream in two red serving dishes
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 315Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 40mgCarbohydrates: 54gFiber: 4gSugar: 43gProtein: 1g

Like this recipe?

Be sure to follow us @pieladybakes for more recipes like this! xo

two images of apple crisp on top with whipped cream in red dishes, bottom has dish full of fresh apples, and shows ingredients with a red and white napkin

We all love EASY right?

These recipes will put a smile on everyone's faces!

Just click that big button to get our latest content by email.

We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit

Judy Kahansky is an experienced baker and writer. She loves to take classic and vintage recipes and update them to fit the busy lives of her readers. When not baking, Judy and her husband Mark are passionate golfers, travelers and dog lovers, spending as much time as they can with their sweet pup Millie.

Skip to Recipe