Deep Dish Apple Crisp

This is a fantastic and unique recipe for a deep-dish apple crisp. The egg in the topping is an interesting twist that creates a cakier, crisper crust. Here is the recipe formatted clearly with instructions and helpful tips.

Deep Dish Apple Crisp

This recipe creates a rich, cobbler-like dessert with a tender, spiced apple base and a unique, crispy, cake-like topping. The cinnamon-sugar dusting at the end gives it a wonderful finished crunch.

Yield: 6-8 servings
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 45-50 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Apple Filling:

• 6-7 cups apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (about 6-7 medium apples)

• Recommendation: Use a mix of tart and sweet apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Fuji for the best flavor and texture.

For the Topping:

• 2 large eggs

• 1 cup granulated sugar, divided

• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

You will also need:

• An 8-inch square or round deep dish (like a pie plate)

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your 8-inch pie plate or baking dish.

2. Prepare the Apple Filling: Peel, core, and slice your apples. Pile them into the prepared baking dish, ensuring they cover the bottom in an even layer. You want enough apples to fill the dish pretty full, as they will cook down.

3. Make the Topping Batter:

   • In a medium bowl, beat the 2 eggs with an electric mixer or whisk until they are frothy and pale yellow.

   • Gradually beat in ¾ cup of the sugar until the mixture is thick and light in color.

   • Gently stir in the melted butter and then the flour, mixing just until combined. The batter will be thick.

4. Assemble the Crisp:

   • Spoon the topping batter evenly over the apples in the baking dish. Use a spatula to gently spread it to cover the apples completely, sealing the edges.

   • In a small bowl, mix the remaining ¼ cup of sugar with the 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Sprinkle this cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the entire top of the batter.

5. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown, crisp, and a toothpick inserted into the topping comes out clean.

6. Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the juicy apple filling to set slightly. It’s delicious served warm on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Chef’s Notes & Tips:

• Apple Choices: Using firm, baking apples is key. Granny Smith provides tartness, while Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Fuji add sweetness and hold their shape well.

• Spicing the Apples: For an even more flavorful filling, you can toss the apple slices with a tablespoon of lemon juice and a pinch of nutmeg or allspice before placing them in the dish.

• Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix just until it’s incorporated. Overmixing can make the topping tough.

• Testing for Doneness: The top should be a deep golden brown and feel firm to the touch. The apples underneath will be tender and bubbling around the edges.

• Storage: Cover leftovers and store at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or toaster oven for best results (the microwave will soften the crisp topping).

Enjoy your delicious homemade deep-dish apple crisp! The crispy, sugary top with the soft, warm apples underneath is pure comfort food. 🍎🍏😋