Warm Apple Ginger Crisp with Cinnamon Pecan Crumble

There are few things more comforting than a warm fruit crisp and this apple ginger version is truly special. Lightly sweetened apples are tossed with fresh ginger and lemon, then topped with a buttery, cinnamon-scented pecan crust. As it bakes, the filling becomes tender and bubbling while the crumble turns golden and toasty.

The best part? This foolproof dessert is as easy to make as it is to enjoy. Serve it warm on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.

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Ingredients

4 unit ApplesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 cup FlourView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LemonView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 thumb GingerView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 ounce PecansView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon CinnamonView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.75 cup SugarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

7 tablespoon ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Adjust rack to middle position and preheat oven to 375°F. Wash and dry produce.
2. Dice 6 tablespoons butter into ½-inch pieces and refrigerate to keep cold. Peel, core and dice apples into ½-inch pieces. In a medium bowl, toss apples with ¼ cup sugar and 1 tablespoon flour.
3. Zest lemon until you have 1 teaspoon; halve lemon. Peel and grate ginger until you have ½ tablespoon. Add grated ginger, lemon zest and 1 tablespoon lemon juice to the bowl with apples. Toss to combine. Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon butter, then pour in apple filling. Wipe out bowl.
4. In the same bowl, combine pecans, ¾ cup flour, ½ cup sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Add the diced butter; use your hands to combine until the mixture is sandy and crumbly and sticks together when squeezed. Stir in 1-2 teaspoons water to moisten.
5. Evenly sprinkle the flour topping over the apple mixture (do not press into apples). Bake until topping is golden brown and apples are tender, about 45 minutes. Tip: If topping browns too quickly, loosely tent the baking dish with foil.
6. Let the crisp cool slightly before serving. Serve warm, optionally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different type of apple?

Yes, any firm, tart apple like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp works well. Adjust sugar to taste if using sweeter apples.

Can I make this crisp ahead of time?

Absolutely. Prepare and bake the crisp, then let it cool completely. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven until warm.

Can I substitute the pecans?

Yes, walnuts or almonds make good substitutes. For a nut-free version, use rolled oats or additional flour.