Description
Salted Caramel Apple Crisp with Vanilla Ice Cream is a rich and comforting dessert, perfect for fall. Imagine warm, gooey, cinnamon-spiced apples topped with a golden, crunchy oat crisp, all drizzled with velvety salted caramel sauce. To take it up a notch, it’s paired with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream that melts into the warm crisp. It’s a showstopper that will impress guests or provide a comforting treat for a cozy evening at home.
Ingredients
For the Apple Filling:
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6 cups apples (about 5–6 medium), peeled, cored, and sliced thinly
Best varieties: Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji -
2 tbsp all-purpose flour (or cornstarch for gluten-free)
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¼ cup brown sugar
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1 tsp ground cinnamon
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¼ tsp nutmeg
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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1 tbsp lemon juice
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Pinch of salt
For the Crisp Topping:
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1 cup old-fashioned oats
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¾ cup all-purpose flour
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½ cup brown sugar
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½ cup granulated sugar
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½ tsp salt
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1 tsp cinnamon
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½ cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
For the Salted Caramel Sauce:
(You can use store-bought caramel sauce — just warm and add a pinch of flaky sea salt — or make it from scratch below.)
Homemade Caramel (optional):
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1 cup granulated sugar
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6 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into cubes
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½ cup heavy cream
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½ tsp flaky sea salt
Instructions
1. Prepare the Apples
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
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Transfer to a greased 9×9-inch baking dish (or similar size).
2. Make the Crisp Topping
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In another bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
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Add cubed butter and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to mix until crumbly (like coarse sand).
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Sprinkle evenly over the apple mixture.
3. Bake
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Bake for 40–45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the apples are bubbling around the edges.
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Let cool slightly before serving (the sauce will thicken as it sits).
4. Make the Salted Caramel (if homemade)
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Heat sugar in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until it melts into a deep amber color.
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Add butter (carefully — it will bubble). Stir until melted.
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Slowly pour in cream while stirring. Simmer for 1 minute.
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Remove from heat and stir in sea salt. Cool slightly before drizzling.
5. Serve
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Scoop warm apple crisp into bowls.
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Top with vanilla ice cream and a generous drizzle of salted caramel sauce.
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Sprinkle with a pinch of flaky sea salt for that perfect sweet-salty finish. 😋
Notes
For an irresistible finish, drizzle extra salted caramel sauce over the warm apple crisp just before serving. You can add a sprinkle of sea salt or chopped pecans for extra texture and flavor. Pair it with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for the ultimate cozy dessert experience.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl with ice cream
- Calories: 420
Keywords: Salted Caramel Apple Crisp