Spiced Apple Soft Crumb

Featured in: Weekend Mellow Spice Treats

This comforting dish features spiced apples coated in cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, layered under a soft crumb topping made from oats, butter, and brown sugar. Baked to golden perfection, it offers a warm, tender texture with a lightly crisped finish. Ideal for cozy evenings, it pairs wonderfully with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream and can be customized with nuts or alternative fruits like pears.

Updated on Sat, 06 Dec 2025 15:37:00 GMT
Warm, golden Soft Crumb Apple Crisp, bubbling and offering a comforting, irresistible aroma. Pin it
Warm, golden Soft Crumb Apple Crisp, bubbling and offering a comforting, irresistible aroma. | spiceshallows.com

A warm, homey dessert featuring tender spiced apples beneath a buttery soft crumb topping—perfect for cozy evenings or simple sweet cravings.

This dessert has always been my go-to for chilly nights when I crave something sweet and comforting.

Ingredients

  • Apples: 6 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced, 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • Filling: 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 2 tbsp light brown sugar, 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/8 tsp ground cloves, 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • Soft Crumb Topping: 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

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Preheat Oven:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) Lightly butter a 9-inch baking dish
Prepare Apples:
In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice Add sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and flour Toss until evenly coated
Spread Apples:
Spread the apple mixture evenly in the prepared dish
Make Topping:
In another bowl, combine flour, oats, butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and salt Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to blend until soft, moist crumbs form
Add Topping:
Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the apples
Bake:
Bake for 40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbling and tender
Cool and Serve:
Cool slightly before serving Enjoy warm, optionally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
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Keep kitchen knives sharp for safer slicing, chopping, and precise prep during everyday cooking.
Check price on Amazon
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Keep kitchen knives sharp for safer slicing, chopping, and precise prep during everyday cooking.
Check price on Amazon
A close-up of a freshly baked Soft Crumb Apple Crisp, showing tender apples and a sweet crumble. Pin it
A close-up of a freshly baked Soft Crumb Apple Crisp, showing tender apples and a sweet crumble. | spiceshallows.com

This crisp never fails to bring smiles at our family dinners especially when served with vanilla ice cream

Notes

Pairs well with a glass of dessert wine or hot spiced tea

Required Tools

9-inch baking dish, Mixing bowls, Peeler and corer, Knife and cutting board, Pastry cutter or fork

Allergen Information

Contains Wheat (gluten), Dairy (butter) Oats may be cross-contaminated with gluten—use certified gluten-free oats if required Double-check labels for allergens if using pre-packaged ingredients

Deliciously rustic Soft Crumb Apple Crisp, served warm with vanilla ice cream, a perfect dessert. Pin it
Deliciously rustic Soft Crumb Apple Crisp, served warm with vanilla ice cream, a perfect dessert. | spiceshallows.com
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Serve homemade meals comfortably with sturdy utensils and steak knives for everyday dining and special dinners.
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This spiced apple crisp is the perfect finishing touch to any cozy meal

Recipe Q&A

What type of apples work best here?

Firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or sweet options like Honeycrisp provide the perfect balance for tender yet flavorful results.

Can I add nuts to the topping?

Yes, chopped walnuts or pecans can be mixed into the crumb topping to add extra texture and flavor.

Is it possible to substitute pears for apples?

Pears can be used as a delicious alternative, offering a softer texture and subtle sweetness.

How do I achieve a soft crumb topping?

Use a blend of butter, oats, brown sugar, and flour, gently crumbled together until moist crumbs form before baking.

What is the ideal baking temperature and time?

Baking at 350°F (175°C) for about 40 minutes ensures a golden topping with tender, bubbling fruit beneath.

Does this dish pair well with beverages?

It complements sweet dessert wines and warm spiced teas, enhancing the cozy flavors.

Spiced Apple Soft Crumb

Tender spiced apples covered with a buttery soft crumb topping for a warm, comforting treat.

Prep time
20 minutes
Cook time
40 minutes
Overall time
60 minutes
Created by James Fisher


Skill level Easy

Cuisine Style American

Makes 6 Portions

Diet details Meat-Free

What You Need

Apples

01 6 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced
02 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Filling

01 1/3 cup granulated sugar
02 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
03 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
04 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
05 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
06 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Soft Crumb Topping

01 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
03 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
04 1/2 cup light brown sugar
05 1/4 cup granulated sugar
06 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Step 01

Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly butter a 9-inch baking dish.

Step 02

Prepare apple filling: Toss sliced apples with lemon juice in a large bowl. Add granulated sugar, light brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and flour. Mix until apples are evenly coated.

Step 03

Arrange apples: Spread the apple mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.

Step 04

Make crumb topping: Combine flour, rolled oats, softened butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, and salt in a separate bowl. Blend with fingers or a pastry cutter until soft crumbs form.

Step 05

Apply topping: Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the apples.

Step 06

Bake: Bake for 40 minutes until topping is golden brown and apples are tender and bubbling.

Step 07

Cool and serve: Allow to cool slightly before serving. Serve warm, optionally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Tools & Equipment

  • 9-inch baking dish
  • Mixing bowls
  • Peeler and corer
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Pastry cutter or fork

Allergy alerts

Review every ingredient for allergens and consult your physician or specialist if you’re unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten) and dairy (butter).
  • Oats may be cross-contaminated with gluten; use certified gluten-free oats if needed.
  • Check labels for allergens when using pre-packaged ingredients.

Nutritional info (for each serving)

This info is for reference only and isn’t medical advice.
  • Caloric Value: 340
  • Fats: 13 g
  • Carbohydrates: 56 g
  • Proteins: 3 g