Description
A foolproof, one-pan dessert featuring tart and sweet apples topped with a crunchy, nutty brown butter oat streusel. This recipe uses a cast iron skillet for maximum crispiness and minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
- 6 large apples (peeled and sliced, approx. 2.5 kg; mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp recommended)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Peel and slice apples into 1/4 inch thick pieces. Toss with lemon juice, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Set aside.
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter foams, turns amber-colored with brown specks, and smells nutty (about 3-5 minutes). Immediately pour into a heatproof bowl to stop cooking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, salt, nutmeg, and chopped nuts. Pour the warm brown butter over the dry ingredients. Mix with a fork or fingers until the mixture resembles coarse, wet sand.
- Transfer the apple mixture to a 10-inch oven-safe cast iron skillet. Spread evenly. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the apples.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the topping is deep golden brown and the apple juices are bubbling vigorously. If the topping browns too quickly, tent with foil for the last 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes to allow juices to thicken.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
For best results, use a mix of tart (Granny Smith) and sweet (Honeycrisp) apples. Avoid Red Delicious as they turn to mush. Ensure the brown butter is cooled slightly before mixing with dry ingredients to prevent melting the oats. Letting the crisp rest for 15 minutes after baking is crucial for the filling to set. For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and certified gluten-free oats. For a dairy-free/vegan version, substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan butter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the skillet
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 32
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 52
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 4
Keywords: apple crisp, cast iron skillet dessert, brown butter recipe, easy apple dessert, fall baking, gluten-free option, vegan option