Description
If you love classic apple crisp, get ready for an even more indulgent version. This Apple Butterscotch Crisp combines tender cinnamon-spiced apples with rich, buttery butterscotch and a golden oat crumble topping.
It’s warm, cozy, sweet, and incredibly comforting—the perfect dessert for crisp autumn evenings, family dinners, Thanksgiving gatherings, or anytime you’re craving an easy homemade apple dessert.
Ingredients
For the Apple Filling
- 6 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup butterscotch chips
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
For the Crisp Topping
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup chopped pecans, optional
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
Set it aside while you prepare the apples.
Step 2: Prepare the Apples
Peel, core, and slice the apples.
Try to cut them into relatively even slices so they cook at the same rate.
Place the apples into a large mixing bowl.
Step 3: Season the Apples
Add:
- Brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Flour
- Lemon juice
- Vanilla extract
Toss gently until the apples are evenly coated.
The flour helps absorb some of the juices released during baking and creates a thicker filling.
🍬 Step 4: Prepare the Butterscotch
Place the butterscotch chips and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl.
Heat in short 15–20 second intervals, stirring between each interval.
Continue until the butterscotch is smooth.
Don’t overheat it.
Alternatively, melt the butterscotch chips with the cream in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring continuously.
🍎 Step 5: Assemble the Apple Filling
Spread the seasoned apples evenly in the prepared baking dish.
Drizzle the melted butterscotch mixture over the apples.
Try to distribute it throughout the dish rather than putting it all in one spot.
🧈 Step 6: Make the Crisp Topping
In a medium bowl, combine:
- Rolled oats
- Flour
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
- Salt
Stir well.
Pour in the melted butter.
Mix until the ingredients form coarse crumbs.
If using pecans, stir them into the topping.
🍂 Step 7: Add the Crumble
Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples and butterscotch.
Make sure the entire surface is covered.
Don’t press the topping down too firmly—you want it to remain loose and crumbly so it becomes crisp while baking.
🔥 Step 8: Bake
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven.
Bake for approximately 40–50 minutes.
The apples should be tender, the butterscotch should be bubbling around the edges, and the topping should be golden brown.
If the topping starts browning too quickly, loosely cover the dish with aluminum foil during the final portion of baking.
❄️ Step 9: Let It Rest
Remove the crisp from the oven and let it rest for approximately 10–15 minutes.
This gives the filling time to thicken slightly.
It will still be wonderfully warm and gooey when served.
🍨 Step 10: Serve
Spoon the warm Apple Butterscotch Crisp into bowls.
Top each serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
For an extra indulgent finish, drizzle with warm butterscotch or caramel sauce and sprinkle with chopped pecans.
Notes
The biggest secret to a great Apple Butterscotch Crisp is balancing the sweetness.
Butterscotch chips and brown sugar are both sweet, so using naturally tart apples such as Granny Smith helps keep the dessert from becoming overly sweet.
Don’t slice the apples too thin. Very thin slices can become mushy during baking.
Aim for slices around ¼ inch thick.
The crisp topping should be crumbly rather than doughy. If it looks too dry, add another tablespoon of melted butter.
If it seems overly wet, add a tablespoon or two of flour or oats.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Resting Time: 10–15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40–50 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 10–12
- Calories: 390 kcal
- Sugar: 38g
- Fat: 17g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Protein: 4g