Old Fashioned Freezable Apple Crisp: A Delicious Dessert for Any Occasion
There’s nothing quite like the warm aroma of freshly baked apple crisp filling your kitchen. And with this Old Fashioned Freezable Apple Crisp recipe, you can enjoy that comforting scent and irresistible taste with minimal effort, especially during busy holiday seasons like Thanksgiving. This dessert is made with sweet, tender apples and a buttery, crumbly topping that bakes to perfection. Even better, it’s a make-ahead dessert that you can freeze, saving you valuable time and stress when the big day arrives.
Why This Old Fashioned Freezable Apple Crisp is Perfect for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is all about spending time with family, sharing great food, and minimizing stress in the kitchen. This Old Fashioned Freezable Apple Crisp recipe is the perfect solution for dessert. You can prepare it in advance, freeze it, and bake it fresh the day of, making it a hassle-free addition to your holiday meal. That means more time for family, less time in the kitchen, and a delicious dessert everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- 1 cup melted butter
- 3 cups Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, or other apples, thinly sliced
Instructions
Preheat Your Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your apple crisp bakes evenly, and the topping gets perfectly golden brown.
Prepare the Topping
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined. Then, pour in the melted butter and stir until the mixture forms crumbly pieces. Set this aside; it will become the delightful topping for your apple crisp.
Prepare the Apples
Thinly slice your apples—either with a knife or an apple-peeler-corer-slicer for convenience. You can choose to leave the peels on or remove them, depending on your preference. Thin slices ensure the apples cook evenly and become tender. Shop my apple peeler here. I just got this and it was a game changer for this recipe and I can’t wait to use it for potatoes on Thanksgiving too!
Assemble the Crisp
Lightly grease an 8×8 inch pan with cooking spray or butter. Arrange the sliced apples in the pan, and generously sprinkle the crumb topping over them. Don’t worry if it looks like too much topping; it will bake down beautifully.
Bake the Crisp
Bake uncovered for 35-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbling. Let the crisp cool for 5 minutes before serving. For an extra indulgent treat, serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of salted caramel sauce.
Make It Now or Later: Freezable Apple Crisp
One of the best features of this Old Fashioned Freezable Apple Crisp is its convenience. If you’re planning ahead for Thanksgiving, you can easily prepare and freeze it ahead of time, saving you valuable time on the big day.
Freeze the Crisp
After adding the topping to the apples, cover the pan with several layers of plastic wrap, followed by foil. Label the foil with cooking instructions and freeze.
Bake from Frozen
When you’re ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap and foil, replace the foil, and bake in a preheated 350°F oven. Bake covered for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 40-55 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the apples are bubbling. Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips for Perfection
- Apple Choice: For the best flavor, use apples that balance sweetness and tartness. Golden Delicious, Cosmic Crisp, or Braeburn apples are excellent choices. If you prefer a tarter flavor, Granny Smith or Jonathan apples work well.
- Prevent Browning: If preparing apples in advance, soak the sliced apples in a solution of 8 cups cold water and 4 tsp salt for 5 minutes to prevent browning. Store apples and topping separately in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
- Add Extra Flavor: For a touch of added sweetness and spice, mix 2 teaspoons of sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon into the apples before baking.
This Old Fashioned Freezable Apple Crisp is not just a dessert—it’s a comforting treat that brings warmth and joy to your table. Whether you make it ahead of time and freeze it or bake it fresh, this recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving and beyond. Enjoy it with your favorite toppings and savor the homemade goodness.
Pin This Recipe for Later!
Don’t forget to Pin this Old Fashioned Freezable Apple Crisp for your next holiday gathering! It’s the perfect make-ahead dessert that’ll save you time and stress while impressing your guests.
Looking for more Thanksgiving dessert ideas? Try my classic Apple Pie here, and my rich Brown Sugar Maple Pie here, for even more delicious options to impress your guests!
