Easy Barefoot Contessa Apple Crisp Recipe: Golden Fall Magic

Apple crisp, a quintessential comfort dessert, weaves together sweet, tart fruit and a crumbly, buttery topping that transforms simple ingredients into pure magic.

Autumn’s most beloved treat celebrates seasonal orchards with their bountiful harvest of crisp, juicy apples.

Warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg dance through the fragrant filling, creating an aroma that instantly transports you to cozy kitchen memories.

Each forkful promises a delightful contrast between tender, caramelized fruit and the crunchy, golden-brown streusel topping.

The recipe balances sweetness with a hint of tartness, allowing the natural fruit flavors to shine through effortlessly.

Baking this classic dessert fills your home with an irresistible warmth that beckons family and friends to gather around: dive into this comforting culinary embrace.

Why Contessa’s Apple Crisp Is a Fall Favorite

• Savor Comforting Layers: This apple crisp delivers a perfect balance of soft, tender apples underneath a crunchy, golden-brown oatmeal topping that creates an irresistible textural contrast with every single bite.
• Effortless Homemade Goodness: The recipe requires minimal technical skills, making it perfect for bakers of all levels who want to create a delicious dessert without complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.
• Quick Weeknight Dessert Magic: With just over an hour of total time, this apple crisp transforms simple ingredients into a warm, inviting dessert that feels like a cozy hug on a chilly evening, ideal for family gatherings or casual weekend treats.
• Versatile Seasonal Comfort: Celebrating autumn's bounty, this recipe allows flexibility with apple varieties and can be easily adapted to suit different taste preferences, making it a go-to dessert that connects people through shared culinary joy.

Items Needed for Contessa Apple Crisp

• Granny Smith Apples, Golden Delicious Apples: Firm, tart apples perfect for baking with good structure and balanced sweetness.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates a structured base for the crisp topping.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps caramelize the topping.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
• Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: Provides texture and nutty flavor to the crisp topping.

• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness, helps bind ingredients, and creates a flaky, crumbly texture for the topping.

Making Contessa Apple Crisp Step by Step

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9x14x2-inch oval baking dish and generously coat the inside with butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Prep The Apples

• Fresh lemon juice
• Granulated sugar
• Ground cinnamon

Step 3: Create The Crispy Topping

• 1 all-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Salt
• Rolled oats

Add cold butter (cut into small cubes). Use your fingertips or a pastry blender to mix until the mixture looks like coarse, crumbly pebbles.

Step 4: Assemble The Dessert

Transfer the seasoned apple slices into the buttered baking dish. Sprinkle the crumbly topping evenly across the apples, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 5: Bake To Golden Perfection

Place the baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any potential drips. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour. The topping should turn a beautiful golden brown, and the apple filling will become bubbly and fragrant.

Step 6: Serve And Enjoy

Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Serve warm, optionally topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Tips for Perfect Contessa Apple Crisp

• Preserve Crunch Carefully: Mix topping ingredients minimally to maintain a light, airy texture that crumbles perfectly when baked.
• Protect Oven Surface: Slide a baking sheet underneath the crisp to catch potential drips and prevent messy oven cleanups.
• Select Apples Strategically: Grab tart, firm varieties like Granny Smith that deliver amazing flavor and hold their shape during baking.
• Slice Consistently: Cut apples into uniform 1/2-inch pieces to guarantee even cooking and gorgeous presentation.
• Chill Butter Beforehand: Work with cold butter to create a flakier, more delectable topping that brings maximum crunch to your dessert.

Safe Storage for Contessa Apple Crisp

• Airtight Container Magic: Seal your apple crisp in a tightly closed container to lock in freshness and prevent moisture loss. Slide the dessert into the refrigerator's top shelf where temperatures remain consistent, protecting its delectable layers and preventing flavor contamination from other foods.
• Reheating Perfection: Revive your apple crisp's irresistible warmth by using the oven method for best results. Preheat to 350°F, spread the crisp in an even layer, and warm for 10-15 minutes until the topping regains its golden crunchiness and the filling becomes steamy and inviting.
• Quick Microwave Revival: When time is short, zap individual portions for 30-45 seconds to quickly restore the dessert's comforting temperature.

Flavorful Variations on Contessa Apple Crisp

• Rustic Berry Crisp: Swap apples with mixed berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries for a vibrant summer dessert. The berries will create a juicy, tangy filling that complements the sweet crumbly topping.
• Pear and Almond Crumble: Replace apples with ripe pears and sprinkle sliced almonds into the topping mixture. This combination offers a subtle nutty flavor and elegant texture that elevates the classic crisp.
• Tropical Mango Crisp: Substitute apples with fresh mangoes and add a touch of coconut flakes to the crumble topping. A hint of ground ginger or cardamom can enhance the tropical profile and bring warmth to the dessert.
• Peach and Cinnamon Crisp: Use fresh peaches instead of apples and increase the cinnamon in the topping for a Southern-inspired version. The soft, sweet peaches will create a luscious filling that pairs perfectly with the crunchy streusel topping.

Wrap-Up on Contessa Apple Crisp

Classic apple crisp embodies comfort and nostalgia, bringing warmth to any kitchen.

Ina Garten’s signature recipe transforms simple ingredients into an irresistible dessert that whispers memories of family gatherings.

Cinnamon-kissed apples nestle beneath a golden, crumbly topping that promises delightful textures in each spoonful.

Homemade desserts connect generations through shared culinary experiences and love.

Barefoot Contessa’s approach celebrates fresh ingredients and uncomplicated techniques that make baking accessible.

While this apple crisp fills your home with incredible aromas, you’ll discover why this classic dessert continues to charm palates everywhere – so grab your fork, savor each bite, and don’t forget to share this recipe with friends who appreciate delicious moments.

Barefoot Contessa Apple Crisp Recipe

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4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s classic Apple Crisp brings warmth from East Hampton kitchens straight to your table. Cinnamon-kissed apples nestle beneath a golden, buttery crumble that promises comfort in each spoonful you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fruits:

• 5 pounds (2.27 kilograms) McIntosh or Macoun apples
• Zest of 1 orange
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) orange juice, freshly squeezed
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) lemon juice, freshly squeezed

Sugars and Spices:

• ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
• ¾ cup (165 grams) light brown sugar, packed
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Flour and Butter:

• 1–½ cups (180 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (90 grams) oatmeal
• ½ pound (227 grams) cold unsalted butter, diced

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating it to 350°F (175°C) and position the rack in the middle of the oven for even baking.
2. Generously coat a 9x14x2-inch (23x35x5 centimeters) oval baking dish with unsalted butter, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
3. Create the apple base by arranging the prepared apple mixture evenly across the greased baking dish, spreading it to reach all corners.
4. Craft the crumble topping by combining all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, kosher salt, rolled oats, and chilled butter in a mixing bowl.
5. Work the topping ingredients using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, breaking down the cold butter into small, pea-sized pieces until the mixture resembles coarse, sandy crumbs.
6. Distribute the crumbly topping uniformly over the apple layer, covering the entire surface to create a textured, rustic appearance.
7. Place the baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any potential drips and ensure easy handling.
8. Slide the baking sheet with the crisp into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 55-65 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and the apple filling becomes bubbly and slightly caramelized.
9. Remove from the oven and allow the apple crisp to cool for 15-20 minutes, which helps the filling set and intensifies the flavors.
10. Serve warm, optionally accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for added indulgence.

Notes

• Capture the essence of autumn with this comforting apple crisp that transforms simple ingredients into a memorable dessert.
• Prevent soggy toppings by ensuring your butter is ice-cold and your mixing technique creates delightful, crumbly clusters.
• Elevate the flavor profile by experimenting with a sprinkle of fresh nutmeg or a dash of warming cinnamon in the crisp topping.
• Make cleanup a breeze by placing a baking sheet underneath your baking dish to catch any sweet, bubbling overflow.
• Enhance the indulgence by serving the crisp warm, topped with a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream that melts into the golden-brown topping.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 367
• Sugar: 27 g
• Sodium: 49 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 43 mg