Apple Cranberry Crisp is tart and sweet filled with juicy apples and cranberries topped with an oat streusel topping!

Nothing calls everyone to the kitchen like the smell of a freshly baked apple dessert! One of our more beloved comfort foods, crisps are as easy to make as they are delicious!

Cranberry Apple Crisp in a bowl with ice cream on top

Favorite Old-Fashioned Crisp

We love fruit crisps because they are simple, rustic, and heartwarming.

  • A perfect crisp can be served hot or even room temperature.
  • They use inexpensive ingredients that I usually have on hand.
  • Crisps are easy to make ahead of time and put in the oven while you’re eating dinner
  • Serve it with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!

ingredients to make Cranberry Apple Crisp

Fresh Ingredients

FRUIT Apples & cranberries are used in this recipe. We use Granny smith apples because they’re tart and tend to hold their shape well without becoming mushy. Use fresh or frozen cranberries, they do not need to be thawed if frozen.

TOPPING Rolled oats are mixed with brown sugar & pecans to create a crumbly topping. Rolled oats will stay firmer during cooking as opposed to instant or quick oats.

VARIATIONS Canned or frozen fruit works as well, so does a variety of nuts like walnuts, almonds, even pistachios!

Don’t forget the vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, or whipped cream!

ingredients to make Cranberry Apple Crisp in a glass bowl

How to Make Cranberry Apple Crisp

Cranberry apple crisp dessert is actually easier than pie!

  1. Mix flour, brown sugar, oats, & pecans together. Add butter & combine until the topping is crumbly.
  2. Toss fruit with sugar & cinnamon, spread in a casserole dish, & cover with topping.
  3. Bake until cranberries are bubbling up through the crisp topping.

PRO TIP: Sauté pecans in a small pan until they are lightly browned and fragrant. This makes them extra crunchy and flavorful.

Tips for the Perfect Crunchy Topping

Cranberry apple crisp will turn out perfect every time with just a couple of tips for success!

  • Cut the butter into small cubes and chill before incorporating it into the topping. The cold butter helps create that crisp and crunchy topping as it bakes.
  • For an extra crispy topping, place the finished dessert under the broiler for about 3 minutes or until the topping is browned.

baked Cranberry Apple Crisp with a spoon inside

How to Store a Crisp

  • Keep cranberry apple crisp covered in plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator and it will keep for up to 4 days.
  • This is especially great if you are having guests over because all of the preparation can be done up to a day ahead of time and all you have to do is pop it in the oven!

Our Fave Fruity Desserts

Did your family love this Cranberry Apple Crisp? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below! 

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close up of baked Cranberry Apple Crisp with a spoon
4.96 from 21 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Cranberry Apple Crisp

Apples paired with cranberries make this crisp sweet and tart, and the crumble topping gives it a bit of crunch!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6 servings
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Ingredients  

  • 4 granny smith apples peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4" thick
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries or frozen
  • cup granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon

Topping

  • 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup brown sugar packed
  • ¾ cup rolled oats
  • ½ cup chopped pecans
  • 6 tablespoons cold butter

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Mix the topping ingredients with a fork until well combined and crumbly.
  • Toss the sliced apples and cranberries with the granulated sugar and cinnamon and place in a 2qt baking dish. Sprinkle the topping over the fruit.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the topping is a golden brown and the cranberries are bubbly.
  • This can be served warm or cold. As a warm dessert, it’s excellent with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
4.96 from 21 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 485 | Carbohydrates: 82g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 110mg | Potassium: 264mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 63g | Vitamin A: 430IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Cranberry Apple Crisp in a bowl with a title
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Cranberry Apple Crisp ingredients in a bowl and plated with a title

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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Comments

  1. So friggin good!! Made it three times in the past few weeks as I had a bag of apples given to me. Absolutely love it and so does anyone I’ve served it to. Thank you5 stars

  2. So looking forward to making this as my friend just delivered a large bag of apples and I’m looking at various recipes on your web site as I’m never disappointed.

  3. This recipe is INCREDIBLY DELICIOUS.
    We increased the topping by 50%-everyone was clamoring for more!!!5 stars

  4. On all 3 sizes of the Cranberry apple crisp recipe it calls for a 2 quart baking dish. Will a 2qt dish work for all three sizes?

    1. Hi Terry, that feature just helps to double and triple the ingredient amounts for you. If doubling and baking in one dish you will need a 4 quart casserole dish and the cooking time may need to be slightly adjusted too. If you can I would recommend baking it in two separate dishes.

  5. What are the measurements for the size of pan you used?
    I’m not sure what a 2 qt. pan is….feeling kinda silly after baking for over 50 years…
    9×9?
    8×8?
    9×13
    Also, does it matter if the pan is glass or metal.

    1. Hi Brenda, a 2 quart baking dish can come in a few different sizes depending on the depth of the dish. But an 8×8 that is at least 2 inches deep would work. A 9×9 is about 2 ½ quarts but should still work for this recipe. We used a ceramic baking dish but glass or metal should be okay.

  6. So easy to make and such a nice twist to an apple crisp. Looks so nice with the red cranberries. Everyone loved it!5 stars

    1. I wouldn’t recommend it, you want a bit of liquid from the fruit in order to make that delicious syrup you get from crisps!

  7. Hi Holly- were these ingredients used for an 8X8 pan or a 9X13? It seems like an 8X8- but need to double If for a 13 X 9.
    Thank you!

  8. I love the combination for your crisp, it sure would be good with my tea. Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and enjoy your weekend!
    Miz Helen