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Kid-Approved Brown Butter Apple Crisp: Easy Budget Dessert

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A warm, comforting apple crisp with a nutty brown butter oat topping that turns a simple dessert into something special. Made with budget-friendly ingredients, this forgiving recipe is perfect for family meals and weeknight treats.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 medium apples (about 2 pounds), peeled, cored, and sliced into ¼-inch thick pieces
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons (16g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ cup (1 stick / 113g) unsalted butter
  • 1 cup (90g) rolled oats
  • ¾ cup (95g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (100g, packed) brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place a rack in the center of the oven.
  2. Prepare the apples: Peel, core, and slice 6 medium apples into ¼-inch thick slices. Place in a large mixing bowl. Add ¼ cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Toss until evenly coated. Set aside.
  3. Brown the butter: Place ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter in a medium skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Melt completely, then continue cooking, swirling occasionally, until the butter foams and brown specks form (about 3-5 minutes). Remove from heat immediately and pour into a heatproof bowl.
  4. Make the topping: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup rolled oats, ¾ cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup packed brown sugar, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Stir with a fork. Pour the browned butter over the dry ingredients, add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and stir until moistened and clumpy.
  5. Assemble the crisp: Pour the apple mixture into an 8×8-inch baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the apples. Do not press down.
  6. Bake: Place the dish on a baking sheet. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple juices are bubbling around the edges. If browning too quickly, tent loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes.
  7. Cool slightly before serving: Let the crisp rest on a cooling rack for at least 10-15 minutes. Serve warm, preferably with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of heavy cream.

Notes

Watch the butter carefully when browning; it can go from perfect to burnt in about 30 seconds. Let the crisp rest for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow juices to thicken. For best results, use a mix of sweet and tart apples like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith. The crisp tastes even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple crisp, brown butter, easy dessert, budget dessert, kid-friendly, fall dessert, apple recipe, oat topping

Find it online: https://noshbelle.com/kid-approved-brown-butter-apple-crisp-easy-budget-dessert/