OH EM GEE. This salted caramel apple crisp, topped with some vanilla ice cream, is truly the best apple crisp I have ever tasted- and I’m allowed to say that because it’s just a spin off of my mom and grandma’s recipes that they’ve made for years. Its hot & cold (with ice cream!), soft & chewy, salty & sweet, crisp & melty all at once!!
This recipe has a few different moving pieces, but I promise making your own caramel really makes the difference. It looks a little overwhelming all laid out but once you start it really is very easy. This salted caramel apple crisp will knock the socks right off of anyone you serve it to.
Some people may not be into all the jazz of this and want just a plain apple crisp. You do you, boo. Leave out the caramel, nuts, sea salt, or ice cream if you would like.
Flakey sea salt is borderline pricey when you’re talking about buying salt. I found a box of Maldon at Schnucks but it is also sold on Amazon for a better deal. They’re a great addition to sprinkle on top of chocolate, brownies, lattes, or caramel anything.
Salted Caramel Apple Crisp
Equipment
- 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish
Ingredients
Filling
- 4 c granny smith apples about 4-5 apples, sliced and peeled
- 1/4 c sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 pinch salt
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
Topping
- 1 c flour
- 1/2 c sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 1/2 c butter
- 1/4 c chopped pecans optional
Caramel Sauce
- 3/4 c heavy whipping cream there is a soy version by Silk
- 3/4 c brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 pinch salt
- 1/2 c butter
Other
- vanilla ice cream
- flakey sea salt Maldon is a brand found relatively easily
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350
Prepare Apples
- In a large bowl with the sliced apples, sprinkle the sugar, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg and coat them evenly. Set aside for 15-30 minutes so that the juices can be pulled from the apple slices. You should see a cinnamon sugar juice at the bottom of the bowl when they are ready
Begin caramel sauce
- In a saucepan, melt the butter on low. Add the brown sugar and stir continuously until the sugar crystals dissolve and the consistency becomes thin and smooth
- Slowly add the heavy cream, vanilla, and pinch of salt. The mixture should come almost to a boil, but be sure to stir constantly to prevent the sugar from burning
- Remove from heat and set aside to cool and thicken
Prepare the crumb topping
- Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and pecans. Crack the egg into the bowl and combine with your hands. This mixture will be crumbly and slightly sticky
- Butter an 8×8 dish and pour in the apple slices. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly across the apples.
- Melt the butter in a small dish and drizzle across the top of the crumb topping
- Bake for 40 minutes
- Let the apple crisp cool and drizzle with as much caramel as desired and lightly sprinke with flakey sea salt. Serve with vanilla ice cream
Notes
Check out my other favorite desserts, like my double chocolate cake or pecan pie here!
