Cardamom Spiced Apple Crisp (Printable)

Tender spiced apples baked with a buttery oat and almond crumble topping.

# Ingredient list:

→ Apple Filling

01 - 6 medium apples (approximately 2 pounds), peeled, cored, and sliced
02 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
03 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
07 - 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
08 - Pinch of salt

→ Crumble Topping

09 - 3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
10 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
11 - 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
12 - 1/3 cup sliced almonds
13 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
14 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
15 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly butter a 9-inch baking dish and set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine sliced apples with lemon juice, granulated sugar, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, flour, and salt. Toss until all pieces are evenly coated with the spice mixture.
03 - Spread the seasoned apple mixture in a single, even layer in the prepared baking dish.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together oats, flour, brown sugar, sliced almonds, cardamom, and salt. Add cold butter cubes and work the mixture with your fingertips or a pastry blender until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
05 - Distribute the crumble mixture evenly over the apples. Bake for 40 minutes until the topping turns golden brown and the fruit filling bubbles at the edges.
06 - Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes. Serve warm, optionally accompanied by vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The cardamom turns a classic dessert into something that tastes like you've unlocked a secret flavor nobody else thought to add.
  • Your whole kitchen smells incredible for hours, which honestly might be half the reason to make it.
  • The crumble is buttery and crunchy without being fussy—no special equipment needed.
02 -
  • Don't skip the cooling step or you'll end up with a soupy mess on the plate—the apples release a lot of liquid that needs time to thicken.
  • If your cardamom tastes musty or faint, that's old cardamom; invest in a fresh container from a spice shop because it truly makes the difference between memorable and forgettable.
03 -
  • Keep your butter in the freezer until the last moment and use a box grater to shred it into the dry ingredients for the fluffiest, most distinct crumble.
  • Make the crumble mixture up to a day ahead and refrigerate it in an airtight container, then bake it straight from the fridge for maximum crunch.
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