Browned Butter Bourbon Apple Crisp

Bourbon Apple Crisp features a spiced apple filling flavored with bourbon and browned butter, plus an oat-gingersnap topping. Love apple desserts for Thanksgiving?

• Measuring Cups and Spoons – For all the basics: butter, oats, bourbon, etc.
• Medium Mixing Bowl – To stir together the gingersnap oat topping.
• Pastry Cutter – Helps cut the butter into the topping. A food processor works too if that’s more your style.
• Cast Iron Skillet – You’ll brown the butter and cook the apples right in the skillet.
• Wooden Spoon – For stirring the filling without damaging the pan.
• Whisk – To blend the cornstarch into the warm filling mixture.
• Casserole Dish or Skillet for Baking – For a full-size dessert, you can bake this bourbon apple crisp in a 10-inch cast iron skillet, a 9×13 baking dish, or a ceramic casserole dish like a 1½-quart gratin pan. Individual ramekins work great if you want single servings.

How to Serve Bourbon Apple Crisp

This Thanksgiving apple dessert is plenty delicious on its own, but it’s even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a swirl of whipped cream, and/or a drizzle of bourbon caramel sauce.

Katie’s Tip: leftovers is really good with Greek yogurt for breakfast!

Storage Instructions

This apple bourbon crisp keeps well, and there are a few different ways to store it depending on how soon you plan to eat it.

Can I leave apple crisp out overnight?

Yes! Since the apple filling is cooked, it’s safe to leave the crisp loosely covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. I usually cover it with a clean towel or foil.

Does apple crisp need to be refrigerated?

Only if you won’t be eating it within a day or two. After that, pop it in the fridge to keep it fresh longer.

Can I freeze bourbon apple crisp?

Yes! Once it’s cooled, transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before freezing to avoid ice crystals.

You have a few freezing options:

• Freeze the whole crisp in an freezer and oven-safe dish. You can reheat straight from frozen.
• Freeze individual portions for easy single servings.
• Freeze the filling and topping separately before baking. Just thaw, assemble, and bake when you’re ready.

How to Reheat Leftovers

To reheat bourbon apple crisp, place the baking dish (or individual servings) in a 250ºF oven for 10 to 15 minutes, just until warmed through. This keeps the topping nice and crisp.

In a hurry? The microwave works too. Heat in 15-second intervals until it’s as warm as you like. It won’t be as crisp, but it’s still delicious.

Do you like bourbon apple desserts?

Browned Butter Bourbon Apple Crisp

Yield: serves 6

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Additional Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

This bourbon apple crisp features tender spiced apples, a buttery gingersnap-oat topping, and a splash of bourbon for warmth and depth. A cozy fall dessert perfect for Thanksgiving!

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Ingredients

For the Topping

• 1/3 cup gingersnap cookie crumbs
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 5 tablespoons cold butter, cut into cubes
• 1/3 cup quick cooking oats
• 1/4 cup chopped pecan pieces

For the Filling

• 4 tablespoons butter, sliced
• 4 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/4 cup Bourbon
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract (try homemade bourbon vanilla extract)
• 2 pounds peeled, cored, and thinly sliced apples - I prefer a mix of Jonagold or Honeycrisp and Gala
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• pinch salt
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch

Instructions

For the topping:

1. In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine the gingersnap cookie crumbs, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg.
2. Add the butter to the bowl and cut into the flour mixture, using a pastry blender or two knives, until the flour mixture is a coarse meal.
3. Stir in the oats and pecans, using your hands to squeeze the topping mixture into larger clumps.
4. Store in the refrigerator until you are ready to assemble and bake the crisp.

For the Filling:

1. To brown the butter: Place a large heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the butter to the hot skillet and melt, whisking frequently.
3. As the butter cooks, it will foam up a bit.
4. Continue cooking and light browned specks will form at the bottom of the pan.
5. The butter is done "browning" when it has a nutty smell.
6. Add the brown sugar, bourbon, vanilla, apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to the butter.
7. Cook, stirring to combine all of the ingredients, until the apples release their juices and begin to soften, about 10 minutes.
8. Whisk the cornstarch in and cook just until the sauce thickens, about a minute more.
9. Remove from heat.

To assemble and bake:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Grease a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish with butter.
3. Pour the apple filling in the prepared pan.
4. Remove the crisp topping from the refrigerator and crumble over top of the apples.
5. Place the casserole on a rimmed baking dish.
6. Bake at 375 degrees F until bubbling and golden, approximately 30 - 45 minutes.
7. Tent loosely with foil if the topping begins to brown too much.
8. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

To prepare the gingersnap cookie crumbs, place store-bought (the crunchy variety) gingersnap cookies in a food processor and pulse until they are a fine crumb.

Recommended Products

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• 
  Cutting Boards
• 
  Wooden Spoon
• 
  Knife Block Set
• 
  Stainless Steel Cookware
• 
  Whisk
• 
  Mini Food Processor
• 
  Measuring Spoons
• 
  Mixing Bowls
• 
  Pastry Blender
• 
  Cinnamon
• 
  Vanilla Beans
• 
  Mini Cast Iron Skillet

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 315Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 170mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 3gSugar: 22gProtein: 2g

GoodLifeEats.com offers recipe nutritional information as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although GoodLifeEats.com makes every effort to provide accurate information, these figures are only estimates.

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