Soft Crumb Spiced Apple

Featured in: Weekend Comfort Bakes

This dish features tender slices of spiced apples, gently tossed with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, layered beneath a buttery soft crumb topping made from oats, flour, and brown sugar. Baked until golden and bubbling, it offers a warm, comforting flavor perfect for chilly days or sweet moments. The balance of spices and the moist crumb texture create a delightful sweet treat that pairs wonderfully with vanilla ice cream or warm tea.

Updated on Fri, 05 Dec 2025 13:49:00 GMT
Golden-brown Soft Crumb Apple Crisp bubbling, a comforting dessert with warm spiced filling. Save Pin
Golden-brown Soft Crumb Apple Crisp bubbling, a comforting dessert with warm spiced filling. | frostedthyme.com

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

This recipe has been a comforting favorite in my family, perfect for chilly nights and special gatherings.

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

Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) Lightly butter a 9-inch baking dish.
Step 2:
In a large bowl toss the sliced apples with lemon juice Add sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and flour Toss until evenly coated.
Step 3:
Spread the apple mixture evenly in the prepared dish.
Step 4:
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.
Step 5:
Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the apples.
Step 6:
Bake for 40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbling and tender.
Step 7:
Cool slightly before serving Enjoy warm, optionally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
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| frostedthyme.com

This dessert brings back wonderful family memories of cozy evenings spent enjoying sweet treats together.

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.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 340, Total Fat: 13 g, Carbohydrates: 56 g, Protein: 3 g

A close-up of a warm Soft Crumb Apple Crisp with a perfect crumb topping, ready to eat. Save Pin
A close-up of a warm Soft Crumb Apple Crisp with a perfect crumb topping, ready to eat. | frostedthyme.com

This spiced apple crisp is the perfect comforting dessert to enjoy any night of the week.

Questions & Answers

What type of apples work best for this dish?

Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples are ideal for their firm texture and balanced sweetness, holding shape well during baking.

Can I add nuts to the topping?

Yes, a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans can be mixed into the crumb topping for added crunch and flavor.

Is it possible to substitute apples with another fruit?

Pears can be used as an alternative, offering a slightly different but equally delicious flavor profile.

How should the topping be prepared for the best texture?

Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to blend butter, sugars, oats, and flour into moist crumbs before spreading evenly over the fruit.

What serving suggestions complement this dish?

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or alongside a warm spiced tea to enhance the cozy experience.

Are there any allergen considerations?

This dish contains wheat gluten and dairy from butter. Certified gluten-free oats can be used to reduce gluten exposure.

Soft Crumb Spiced Apple

Tender spiced apples covered by a soft, buttery crumb topping—comfort in every bite.

Prep Time
20 minutes
Time to Cook
40 minutes
All-In Time
60 minutes
By Frosted Thyme Madison Kelly


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Makes 6 Portions

Diet Preferences Vegetarian

What You'll 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 Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly butter a 9-inch baking dish.

Step 02

Mix Apples with Lemon Juice and Spices: In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and flour, then toss until coated evenly.

Step 03

Arrange Apple Mixture: Spread the spiced apple mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.

Step 04

Prepare Crumb Topping: In a separate bowl, combine flour, rolled oats, softened butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and salt. Use fingers or a pastry cutter to blend until soft, moist crumbs form.

Step 05

Top Apples: Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the apples in the baking dish.

Step 06

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

Step 07

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

Tools Needed

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

Allergen Details

Always check each item for allergens and ask a medical expert if unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten) and dairy (butter). Oats may have gluten cross-contamination; use certified gluten-free oats if needed.

Nutrition Info (per portion)

For reference only—please ask a healthcare professional if you need tailored advice.
  • Calorie Count: 340
  • Fat content: 13 g
  • Carbohydrates: 56 g
  • Proteins: 3 g