Recipe: Skillet Apple Crisp

updated Jan 21, 2020
Skillet Autumn Apple Crisp
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(Image credit: Casey Barber)

Was there ever a dessert more tailor-made for a skillet than a rustic, streusel-topped fruit crisp? Sure, you can assemble it in a gratin dish or your favorite Pyrex casserole, but I stand behind the idea that serving this oh-so-American autumn apple dessert in a cast iron skillet is the presentation it deserves — nay, warrants.

If we’re talking semantics, the presence of oats sets this dessert firmly in crisp territory, but I’m not standing on ceremony here. Even beyond the oats, the pecans alone give you plenty of delicious crunch to sink your teeth into.

(Image credit: Casey Barber)

Oh, and throw that peeler back in the drawer: Unless you have a serious aversion to apple peels, there’s no need to go through that extra time-consuming step with this recipe. It’s all about ease here — save your few extra minutes for scooping ice cream or making whipped cream!

Skillet Autumn Apple Crisp

Serves4 to 6

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

For the topping:

  • 1/3 cup

    all-purpose flour or white whole-wheat flour

  • 1/3 cup

    rolled oats (not instant)

  • 1/3 cup

    packed dark brown sugar

  • 1/4 teaspoon

    ground cinnamon

  • 1/4 teaspoon

    kosher salt

  • 1/2 cup

    chopped pecans

  • 2 tablespoons

    melted unsalted butter

For the filling:

  • 1/4 cup

    maple syrup

  • 2 tablespoons

    molasses

  • 3 tablespoons

    all-purpose flour or white whole-wheat flour

  • 1/2 teaspoon

    ground cinnamon

  • 1/2 teaspoon

    kosher salt

  • 2 1/2 pounds

    apples, cored and cut into rough 1-inch chunks

  • 1 tablespoon

    unsalted butter

  • Ice cream or whipped cream, for serving (optional)

Instructions

Make the crisp topping:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

  2. Whisk the flour, oats, sugar, cinnamon, and salt together in a bowl, making sure to remove any large sugar lumps.

  3. Stir in the pecans, then stir in the 2 tablespoons melted butter until the topping is moist and starting to clump together.

Make the filling:

  1. Whisk the maple syrup, molasses, flour, cinnamon, and salt together in a large bowl. Toss the apples in the bowl, stirring until they're evenly coated; set aside.

  2. Coat the bottom and sides of a 10-inch cast iron skillet or other heavy-bottomed ovenproof skillet with the 1 tablespoon butter. Pour the apple filling into the skillet, including any liquid that may have settled in the bottom of the bowl, and spread into an even layer. Spread the crisp topping evenly over the apples.

  3. Cover the skillet loosely with foil and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the apples have softened and the crisp is bubbling around the edges of the pan.

  4. Remove the foil and bake for 15 to 20 minutes more, until the topping is deeply browned.

  5. Let cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. Serve with scoops of your favorite ice cream or generous spoonfuls of whipped cream.

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