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Apple Cranberry Crisp

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Apple Cranberry Crisp is mouth wateringly delicious! Incredibly easy, it is the perfect way to use any leftover cranberry sauce!

 

Main image for recipe of apple cranberry crisp on a plate with three scoops of ice cream on top.

 

Sweet apples, tart cranberry sauce, and a spiced crunchy oat topping combine to make this the best apple cranberry crisp recipe.

I know some people who eat cranberry jelly right out of the can. 

And I know some people who quietly sidestep the cranberries every year on Thanksgiving.

If you are one of those hiding in the pantry with your cranberry sauce and a spoon, welcome. 

You’re going to love this recipe.

And if you’re one of those wondering why you even bother with it as it mostly ends up in the trash anyway, welcome. 

You’re going to love this recipe too.

When cooked the right way, cranberry sauce is super yummy. And this is the right way.

I love that using some simple pantry ingredients I can create a delicious apple and cranberry crisp recipe.

It can easily be prepared in advance if you need to.

It’s a super easy apple cranberry crisp recipe that every good cook should keep in their back pocket.

 

 

What Ingredients Are in Cranberry Apple Crisp

  • Apples: I use Granny Smith Apples. Their tartness balances out the sweetness.
  • Cranberry Sauce: Use any leftover cranberry sauce or grab some straight from the can.
  • Flour: All purpose white flour for binding and creating the crisp topping.
  • Oats: Old fashioned rolled oats are preferable for the best texture.
  • Sugar: You’ll need both white and brown sugar.
  • Cinnamon: Cinnamon not only goes well with apples but with cranberries too!
  • Salt: Using salt in desserts helps to bring out their full flavor.
  • Butter: Melt the butter for easy mixing.

Pro Tips:

  • The apples need to be peeled and sliced. There’s not very many of them so you could use a peeler or save time with a peeler and slicer. 
  • There are so many flavors of cranberry sauce! Any flavor you use will taste great!

 

Apple cranberry mixture in casserole dish.

 

How to Make Apple Cranberry Crisp

Just a few simple mixes and baking and you’ll have yourself a delicious apple cranberry crisp with oatmeal.

  1. Mix: When mixing the apples and cranberry sauce you may find it to be too runny. If that’s the case add in a little flour to thicken.
  2. Crumble: The oat mixture should be easy enough to toss together once your butter is melted. Just be sure to mix in a separate bowl!
  3. Bake: Prick the apples with a toothpick. If tender, the crisp is done!
  4. Eat!: Don’t jump in too quickly though! A 5-10 minute cool down will save your tongue a lot of pain.

 

Crumble mixture in a bowl, unmixed. This consists of flour, rolled oats, white sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon.

 

Can You Freeze Cranberry Apple Crisp?

Apple Cranberry Crisp is the perfect dessert to have ready in your freezer for unexpected parties and guests!

You can either freeze this fruit crisp before baking or after.

  • To freeze before baking, assemble the cranberry crisp and then wrap tightly twice with aluminum foil. Place in the freezer.
  • To freeze after baking, be sure to allow the crisp to cool completely. Then wrap tightly using two layers again.

I prefer to freeze the apple cranberry crisp before baking as it makes sure the crisp topping doesn’t burn when baking.

When you’re ready to bake, simply remove from the freezer and allow to thaw overnight in the fridge. 

Or keep the aluminum foil on top of the crisp for the first 20 minutes of baking and you can take it straight from freezer to oven. Follow the recipe directions.

Frozen apple cranberry crisp will stay good for up to 4 months in the freezer.

Pro Tip: Write the date you assembled the cranberry crisp and the directions on the aluminum foil. That way you won’t have to wonder what it is or how to make it!

 

Butter added to crumble mixture

 

Can I Use Fresh Cranberries in Cranberry Apple Crisp?

Fresh cranberries can be used as long as they are cooked first into a cranberry sauce recipe. 

Try these Orange Cranberry Sauce or Cranberry Raspberry Sauce recipes for example. Both are excellent choices for apple cranberry crisp!

 

Crumbly crisp topping mixed up but not placed on crisp yet.

 

How to Store Cranberry Apple Crisp

Storing apple cranberry crisp could not be more simple! 

Wrap it up tightly and toss it in your fridge. It’ll stay good in the fridge for up to 5 days.

 

Crisp topping added on top of crisp.

 

Can I make Cranberry Apple Crisp Ahead of Time?

You could also make it up to 24 hours in advance of when you want to bake it.

I find that when making apple cranberry crisp early, it’s best to keep the crumble separate from the apples and cranberries.

That way the crisp can be popped on right at the end and there’s no danger of it getting too soft in the fridge overnight.

 

Crisp baked with 1 portion removed.

 

Can Dogs Have Cranberry Sauce?

Too many cranberries can lead to upset stomachs for your dog.

Also most cranberry sauces are loaded with sugar and may include grapes, raisins, currants, or even alcohol.

All of those substances are not good for dogs and can even be toxic.

Keep your dog away from the holiday table if you think they can’t stay away from the cranberry sauce to prevent any unwanted problems!

 

single portion of crisp on a plate

 

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes

Since cranberry sauce is one of those recipes people either love or hate, there often ends up being too much of it left over.

Thankfully, using the cranberry sauce in recipes like apple cranberry crisp can make cranberry sauce more enjoyable to everyone!

Here’s some other favorite ways to use up leftover cranberry sauce:

 

single serving of crisp on a plate with a scoop of ice cream.

 

More Cranberry Recipes You’ll Love…

If you love apples and cranberries you are absolutely going to love this Apple Cranberry Crisp!

And if you’re not sure on that leftover cranberry sauce, give it a whirl! I think you’ll find yourself pleasantly surprised.

Simple, easy, and incredibly delicious, apple cranberry crisp is a winner!

 

Yield: 6 Servings

Apple Cranberry Crisp

Cranberry Apple Crisp - cooked crisp on plate close up.

Apple Cranberry Crisp is mouth wateringly delicious! Incredibly easy, it is the perfect way to use any leftover cranberry sauce!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
  • 3/4 cup of leftover cranberry sauce or canned whole cranberry sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour (if your cranberry sauce is runny)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup old fashioned roll oats
  • 1/3 cup white sugar
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted (1 stick)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350*F
  2. Combine apples and cranberry sauce. Mix well.
  3. If cranberry sauce is runny, add 2 Tablespoons Flour and mix well.
  4. Place sliced apples in a 8x8 casserole dish.
  5. In a separate bowl, mix 1 cup flour, oats, white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt.
  6. Add melted butter and mix well.
  7. Crumble oat mixture on top of apples.
  8. Bake for 35 - 40 minutes or until apples are cooked through and tender to a toothpick.
  9. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 - 10 minutes then serve.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 555Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 243mgCarbohydrates: 90gFiber: 5gSugar: 55gProtein: 5g
Originally Posted: August 8, 2018

Photos & Text Updated: November 18, 2021

 

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