Maple Cardamom Apple Crisp
Being that cardamom is one of my favorite spices, and that Apple Crisp is high up there on my list of favorite desserts, what more could I ask for than a Cardamom Apple Crisp! This flavorful take on the Fall Classic features a perfectly jammy Apple filling that is spiced with cardamom and cinnamon, and sweetened with maple syrup, creating a flavor profile that is warm, ever-so-slightly spicy, and deeply aromatic. The crispy topping is perfectly sweet, and has a slight nutty background from the addition of rolled oats and sliced almonds! Enjoy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and you’ll be in heaven!
What Kind of Apples
Finding the right apples for baking can be ultra-confusing, but is so incredibly crucial as well. There are 2 things to consider when deciding on what apple to use: the flavor and the texture when baked. Apples come in a range of flavors and sweetness, ranging from tart and sour to very sweet. The sweetness of the apple determines how much sugar to use in the Cardamom Apple Crisp. If using a tart variety, such as the famous Granny Smith Apple, then more sugar will be required in your Apple crisp. If using a sweet-variety of apple, such as a Golden Delicious, the Maple Cardamom apple crisp filling will require less sugar (or maple syrup in this case). My preferred apple is one that is sweet and tart, such as Pink Lady, Braeburn, or Honey Crisp.
The other things to consider is the texture when baked. Some apples hold their shape extremely well when baked, while others will disintegrate into almost nothing. For me, the perfect Apple Crisp needs a mix of both – one to give it some structure and substance, the other to make it a touch more saucy. Some varieties that are excellent for keeping their shapes are the ones mentioned above, plus Cortland (tart), Fuji (sweet), Rome (sweet), and Jazz (sweet-tart). Then, I like to use a McIntosh apple to add a little sauciness.
What’s in a name?
Is it a crisp? A crumble? A cobbler? Growing up, I always referred to these as ‘crumbles’, always just assuming that that name differentiation just came from geographical differences, such as with the terms cookies & biscuits. After researching one day, I learned that there is, in fact, a difference between these! While all these desserts have some sort of fruit that is topped with a pastry topping and then baked, they all have their own unique characteristics. A cobbler has a biscuit topping that is dropped onto the fruit filling. A crumble has streusel-like topping that is made from sugar, flour, and cold butter. A crisp, like this Maple Cardamom Apple Crisp, is quite similar to a crumble, but it has oats added into the topping!
Making the Maple Cardamom Apple Crisp
1.Mix the apple filling together: In a large bowl, add the peeled, sliced apples, lemon, maple syrup, flour, cinnamon, cardamom, and salt. Toss together to combine, then pour into your baking dish or cast-iron skillet.
2. Make the topping: In a large bowl (you can use the same one from the filling), mix together the melted butter, flour, brown sugar, salt, oats, and sliced almonds.
3. Add the topping over the filling: Spoon the topping over top of the fruit filling that’s already in your baking pan. Try to ensure an even layer. Now stick the whole thing into the oven to bake up!
4. Enjoy: This Maple Cardamom Apple Crisp can be enjoy hot (my favorite), or cold! I also recommend a good scooping of vanilla ice cream with it!
Get the Recipe: Maple Cardamom Apple Crisp
Ingredients
Filling
- 1 ½ lbs Baking Apples,, such as Pink Lady (weighed before peeling), sliced into 1/2" slices
- 1/2 lb McIntosh Apple,, (weighed before peeling), sliced into 1/2" slices
- Juice of ½ Lemon
- 1 tbsp All Purpose Flour
- 3/4 cup Maple Syrup
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 1 tsp Cardamom
Topping
- 1 cup Rolled Oats
- 1 cup All Purpose Flour
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- 1/4 cup Sliced Almonds
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp Cardamom
- 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
- Pinch of Salt
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter,, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven 350°F. Add all ‘filling’ ingredients to a large bowl, and toss to combine. Pour into a large skillet or a large baking dish, pat into an even layer.
- Add all ingredients, except melted butter, to a large bowl. Whisk to combine, then pour melted butter over top, and mix with a fork until the mixture looks like wet sand.
- Spread the topping evenly over the filling in the skillet, then place into the oven to bake for around 40 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the apples are tender.
Source: Topping Adapted from RecipeTin Eats
