Few desserts capture the cozy spirit of fall quite like Apple Butterscotch Crisp

Apple crisp has long been a staple of American home baking. Unlike pies, crisps don’t require rolling dough or perfect crimping skills. They’re rustic by nature, forgiving, and deeply satisfying. What makes this version special is the addition of butterscotch, which adds a deep caramelized sweetness that pairs beautifully with tart apples and warm spices. The result is a dessert that feels nostalgic yet elevated, familiar but just a little indulgent.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Butterscotch Crisp

This recipe strikes the perfect balance between soft and crunchy, sweet and tangy. The apples bake down into a saucy filling flavored with cinnamon and vanilla, while the topping becomes crisp and golden thanks to butter, brown sugar, and oats. The butterscotch melts into the apples, creating pockets of rich, buttery sweetness in every bite.

It’s also incredibly versatile. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream, drizzle it with extra butterscotch sauce, or enjoy it cold straight from the fridge the next day. This dessert works just as well for a cozy night in as it does for entertaining guests.

Choosing the Best Apples

The key to an outstanding apple crisp is choosing the right apples. You want varieties that hold their shape while baking and offer a balance of sweetness and acidity. Granny Smith apples are a classic choice because of their tartness, but they can be mixed with sweeter apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Braeburn for more depth of flavor. Using a blend of apples gives the filling complexity and prevents it from becoming overly sweet.

Ingredients

For the Apple Filling

• 6 cups apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup butterscotch chips

For the Crisp Topping

• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a baking dish and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice to prevent browning.
3. Add brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and flour to the apples. Mix until evenly coated.
4. Gently fold in the butterscotch chips, then transfer the apple mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
5. In another bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the topping.
6. Cut in the cold butter using your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
7. Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the apple filling.
8. Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges.
9. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.

The Magic of Butterscotch

Butterscotch is often confused with caramel, but it has its own distinct personality. Made primarily from brown sugar and butter, it offers a deeper, more molasses-like sweetness. When baked into this apple crisp, butterscotch melts into the fruit, creating rich pockets of flavor that elevate the entire dessert. It adds warmth and depth without overpowering the natural apple taste.

Tips for Perfect Results

• Don’t overbake: If the topping browns too quickly, loosely tent the dish with foil during the last 10 minutes.
• Use cold butter: Cold butter is essential for a crumbly, crisp topping.
• Let it rest: Allowing the crisp to cool for 10–15 minutes helps the filling thicken slightly.

Variations and Add-Ins

• Nutty Crunch: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping for extra texture.
• Spiced Twist: Add a pinch of ground ginger or cloves to enhance the fall spices.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute gluten-free flour and oats to make it gluten-free.
• Extra Sauce: Drizzle warm butterscotch sauce over the top before serving for an indulgent finish.

Serving Suggestions

Apple Butterscotch Crisp is best served warm. A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream creates a beautiful contrast with the warm apples and crunchy topping. For a cozy fall brunch, serve it alongside coffee or spiced apple cider.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the entire dish in the oven at 300°F until heated through. You can also assemble the crisp a few hours ahead of time and bake it just before serving.

A Dessert Rooted in Tradition

Apple crisps and crumbles have deep roots in American and British baking traditions, often made as a simpler alternative to pies. This Apple Butterscotch Crisp honors that tradition while adding a modern twist. It’s the kind of dessert that feels like home—simple, comforting, and meant to be shared.

If you’re looking for an easy apple crisp recipe that stands out from the rest, this one is sure to become a favorite. Rich, cozy, and irresistibly delicious, Apple Butterscotch Crisp is everything a fall dessert should be.

Apple Butterscotch Crisp

A warm fall dessert made with tender spiced apples, rich butterscotch, and a golden oat crumble topping.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, Autumn

Calories: 320

Ingredients

  

Apple Filling

• 6 cups apples peeled, cored, sliced
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 0.5 cup brown sugar packed
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 0.25 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 0.75 cup butterscotch chips

Crisp Topping

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 0.75 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.75 cup brown sugar packed
• 0.5 tsp cinnamon
• 0.25 tsp salt
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter cold, cubed

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Baking dish
• Measuring cups
• Pastry cutter or fork

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish.
2. Toss sliced apples with lemon juice in a large bowl.
3. Add sugars, spices, vanilla, flour, and butterscotch chips; mix well.
4. Transfer apple mixture to baking dish and spread evenly.
5. Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt for topping.
6. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
7. Sprinkle topping evenly over apples.
8. Bake 40–45 minutes until golden and bubbly. Cool slightly before serving.

Notes

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for best results.