Spiced Apple and Cranberry Crisp is the perfect dessert to celebrate the flavors of fall. The tartness of cranberries combined with the sweetness of apples, all wrapped in a warm, spiced crumble topping, makes this dessert a comforting and flavorful treat. Whether you’re gathering with family for a holiday or simply looking for something cozy to enjoy with a cup of tea, this crisp has all the right elements to brighten up your day.
The apples provide the classic base for this dessert, offering natural sweetness and a soft, juicy texture when baked. A combination of tart apples like Granny Smith and sweet varieties like Honeycrisp works best, balancing the overall flavor profile. The cranberries add a tangy, slightly tart contrast that gives the dessert a unique twist, while also making it visually stunning with their vibrant red hue.
The spicing in this crisp is key to its warmth and depth. A blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of cloves fills the kitchen with an irresistible aroma as it bakes. The spices complement the apples and cranberries, creating a cozy, comforting flavor that’s perfect for autumn.
The topping is what truly sets this crisp apart. Made from oats, brown sugar, butter, and a little flour, the topping crisps up beautifully in the oven, creating a golden-brown, slightly caramelized crunch that contrasts perfectly with the soft fruit filling. A sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts can add an extra layer of texture and nuttiness, making each bite even more satisfying.
Spiced Apple and Cranberry Crisp is best served warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for added indulgence. It’s the perfect dessert to make ahead and serve to guests or to enjoy with your family on a chilly evening.
In short, Spiced Apple and Cranberry Crisp is everything you want in a fall dessert: sweet, tart, spiced, and comforting. With its balance of textures and flavors, it’s a delightful way to embrace the season while satisfying your sweet tooth.

Ingredients
- 4 apples large, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 cup cranberries
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg ground
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter chilled and cubed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, cranberries, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Toss to coat the fruit evenly.
- Pour the fruit mixture into a greased 9x9-inch baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, combine the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and chilled cubed butter. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to mix the ingredients until they resemble coarse crumbs.
- Sprinkle the oat crumble evenly over the fruit mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit is tender.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, if desired.
- Enjoy!
Loved it! Perfect for fall. 🍏🍂
So glad you enjoyed it! It really is a cozy recipe for the season. 🍏🍂
I don’t know… Seems too sweet with all that sugar. 🍬
5 stars! Made it for Thanksgiving, everyone loved it! The ice cream on top was a hit!
Glad to hear it worked out for you! The ice cream is a game changer for sure. I’m making this for Christmas!
Not sure about the nutmeg. Pretty sure it’s just for fancy recipes.
Nutmeg adds a nice warmth to the dish! It balances the sweetness of the apples and cranberries. Trust me, it’s not just for fancy recipes! 😊
I dunno, seems like nutmeg is just somethin they throw in to make it sound special. Ain’t no way it makes a difference!
Idk, my grandma’s recipe is better. This one is alright, but not amazing.
Who has time to peel apples? Not for me. Maybe I’ll try it with canned.
Easy to make! My kids loved it, but the topping was a bit too sweet for me.
Kids love sweet stuff, so as long as they’re happy, right? Haha!
I totally agree! The topping was a bit much for me too. Maybe less sugar next time?
Incredibly simple to make, but mine didn’t get as golden as yours in the picture. What did I do wrong??
This is great but why do you have to let it cool? Just eat it warm! 😋
Yum! Just made it and had with ice cream. Divine!
I don’t really like cranberries, are they necessary? Also, can I add nuts?
You can definitely leave out the cranberries if you don’t like them! Nuts would be a great addition for some crunch! Just keep an eye on the baking time, alright?
I only had frozen cranberries, so I used those instead. Still turned out fab!
Frozen cranberries? That’s genius! I always thought fresh was the only way to go. Glad it turned out fab for you!
Hmmm, frozen? I wonder if that changes the taste. I might stick to fresh apples and cranberries next time. 🤔
I burnt my topping, how do you mess up something so simple? PA-HA! Anyway, still tasted good lol.
This recipe is so good! Perfect mix of sweet and tart. I added some walnuts, and it was delicious!
So good! I’m a fan of anything with apples. Next time I’ll add raisins too!
Raisins sound like a great addition! I also love using walnuts for some crunch. Can’t wait to try it!
I don’t know… raisins might make it too sweet. Apples and cranberries already have a lot of flavor. Just my opinion.
This is the best dessert I’ve ever made! So simple and delicious!
I’m glad you loved it! It’s one of my favorites too. It’s so comforting on a cold night!
Yum! Could eat this every day! My kids loved it, especially with ice cream!
I don’t know, seems like too much sugar for my taste. Can’t apples be sweet enough on their own?
Uhh, why do you even need to cool it? I ate it right away, and it was great! 😂
Crisp? More like mushy. Followed the recipe though. 😒
Was expecting more flavor. Maybe I should’ve added more spices? Not sure if I will try again.
Easy peasy! I used less sugar and still yum. Gonna try it with peaches next time!
Not a fan of cranberries, so I replaced them with blueberries. Still turned out nice!
I followed the recipe but mine turned out too watery. Maybe I used too many apples?
I thought the recipe was simple enough, but my kids didn’t like it. They said it was ‘too fruity’. I guess everyone’s taste is different.
This was amazing! The cinnamon and nutmeg really made the flavors pop. Will definitely make again.
Sounds good, but I never liked nutmeg. Can I skip it and still be okay? 🤔
I totally agree! The warm spices really elevate this dish. Can’t wait to share it with my friends. 🍏✨
Just okay. My husband liked it more than me. He said mix the apples with some caramel next time.
Yummy! But I used frozen cranberries and they worked great! Just thaw them first, folks!
Do I have to peel the apples? I tried it once without peeling and it was fine. Just wondering.
I don’t like cranberries, can I replace them with blueberries? But I think it’s good.
I think blueberries would actually be awesome in this! They are sweet and would go well with the apples. Give it a try!
Crispy and fruity! I love this recipe! 🍏🍏🍏🍏🍏
Best dessert! The topping is crunchy and sweet, just the way I like it. 🍏🍎
Um, are you sure it’s the best? Looks kinda basic to me. I prefer somethin’ more fancy!
Totally agree! I love how the apples and cranberries balance each other. A scoop of ice cream makes it perfect! 🍦
Simple and quick to make! Just what I needed for an impromptu party!
I think I messed up the measurements. Mine tasted weird… but the topping was ok.
Absolutely delightful! The cinnamon and nutmeg made it so warm and comforting. I’ll be making this again for sure!