Tulo

Cosmic Crisp Apple Crisp Recipe

A baking dish of golden-brown apple crisp with a crumbly oat topping, one corner scooped out to show the juicy sliced apples underneath.
Photo by Samar Hameed on Pexels

Cosmic Crisp apples are dense and low-moisture compared to softer baking apples, so the slices stay intact and slightly firm after 45 minutes in the oven instead of collapsing into applesauce, while their balanced sweet-tart flavor means the filling needs very little added sugar.

Prep
20 min
Cook
45 min
Total
65 min
Servings
8

Ingredients

Servings8
  • 6 medium Cosmic Crisp apples, peeled and sliced 1/4-inch thick
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, divided
  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold, cubed
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Nutrition per serving

Calories
233
Protein
3g
Carbs
44g
Fat
6g

Based on the recipe as written, one serving. Recalculates if you swap an ingredient above. An estimate only, exact values depend on the specific ingredients used.

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Instructions

  1. 1Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. 2In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with the lemon juice, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and 3 tablespoons of the flour until evenly coated. Spread into the prepared baking dish.
  3. 3In the same bowl, combine the remaining flour, oats, brown sugar, and salt. Add the cold cubed butter and work it in with your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture forms coarse, pea-sized clumps.
  4. 4Scatter the oat topping evenly over the apples, covering them completely.
  5. 5Bake for 40-50 minutes, until the topping is deep golden brown and the juices are bubbling visibly at the edges of the dish.
  6. 6Let the crisp rest at room temperature for at least 15 minutes before serving, this gives the juices time to thicken slightly.

Tips & variations

  • Cosmic Crisp apples hold their shape well enough that you can slice them slightly thicker than usual, closer to 3/8 inch, without ending up with undercooked pieces.
  • Add 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the oat topping for extra crunch.
  • A splash of bourbon or a pinch of ground cardamom stirred into the apple filling adds depth without overpowering the fruit.

Storage & reheating

Cover and refrigerate leftover crisp for up to 5 days. Reheat individual portions in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes, or in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, to re-crisp the topping. Freeze baked and cooled crisp for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Tips from the Tulo kitchen

  • No need to peel every apple perfectly smooth; a few small strips of skin left on add texture and don't affect the bake.
  • If the topping browns too quickly before the filling bubbles, tent the dish loosely with foil for the last 10-15 minutes.

FAQ

Do I need to peel Cosmic Crisp apples for this recipe?

Peeling is recommended since the skin can turn slightly chewy after baking, but leaving some skin on is fine if you prefer more texture.

Can I use a different apple variety?

Yes, Honeycrisp or Braeburn are the closest substitutes since they're similarly firm and low-moisture; softer varieties like McIntosh will break down more and produce a mushier filling.

Why is my apple crisp watery?

This usually means it was pulled from the oven before the juices fully thickened; look for visible bubbling at the edges of the dish, not just a browned topping, before removing it.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Assemble the apple filling and the oat topping separately up to a day ahead, refrigerate both, then combine and bake just before serving so the topping stays crisp.