Bourbon Apple Crisp

This quick and easy bourbon apple crisp is going to become one of your favorite dessert recipes. Made using brown sugar, a hint of bourbon and an oatmeal topping; this is a perfect fall dessert!

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This bourbon apple crisp is a quick recipe that brings lots of big flavor to this dessert with very little work! The apple crisp is made with brown sugar, which creates a caramel like bourbon sauce once the crisp is baked in the oven.

As much as I hate to admit it, fall is nipping on my heels. School has been back in session for two weeks now, the morning and evening air is cool and crisp and the hours of daylight are shortening quickly.

Last year I welcomed fall with these delicious, no bake cookie butter bars, but this year I say we celebrate fall and apple season with this baked bourbon apple crisp!

why you will love this quick and easy apple crisp

• Easy ~ much easier than apple pie! This fruit crisp uses an oatmeal topping {or streusel} versus a flaky, buttery pie crust.
• Quick ~ this bourbon apple crisp not only comes together quickly, it has a relatively short cooling period as well.
• Simple ingredients ~ you likely have all the ingredients in your kitchen right now!
• A {not so secret} ingredient ~ the addition of bourbon takes your crisp from good to I can't stop eating this dessert good! The bourbon is not overpowering or boozy, but instead compliments the apples and cinnamon beautifully.

ingredients needed for the bourbon apple filling

Please scroll to the printable recipe card at the end of this post for the full list of ingredients and baking directions.

• Apples ~ see below for the best apples to use for baking. I used a combination of Granny Smith and Pink Lady for the apple crisp shown in this post.
• Lemon juice ~ a little acidity to keep the apples from browning prior to being baked. You can squeeze a fresh lemon or use a quality lemon juice {this is the one I always have in my refrigerator}!
• Bourbon ~ you don't need to use the good stuff here. I used Trader Joe's Kentucky Best. If you would rather skip the alcohol, substitute 2 tablespoons of orange juice.
• Vanilla ~ helps to balance the sweet and pairs nicely with bourbon and cinnamon.
• Brown sugar ~ I prefer dark brown sugar, but light brown will also work. My testers liked this apple crisp best without white sugar and with not too much brown sugar in the apple filling. See the recipe notes for if you like a sweeter dessert.
• All-purpose flour ~ just a little to thicken the filling.
• Cinnamon ~ ground cinnamon brings that classic apple crisp flavor.

ingredients needed for the crisp oatmeal topping

Please scroll to the printable recipe card at the end of this post for the full list of ingredients and baking directions.

• All-purpose flour ~ provides the base of the oatmeal topping.
• Oats ~ use old fashioned rolled oats. I like to mix the oats in after forming the streusel, which helps the oats hold their shape during baking.
• Kosher salt ~ just a pinch to balance the sweetness.
• Cinnamon ~ more ground cinnamon for that classic taste.
• Brown sugar ~ I again used dark brown sugar; I love the richness it brings to dessert recipes! Light brown sugar will work as well.
• Unsalted butter ~ the butter should be cold and cut into small cubes.
• Bourbon ~ just another splash to bring a little extra crispness to the crisp topping. You can leave the bourbon out of the oatmeal topping with no other adjustments needed.

what kind of apples should I use for apple crisp?

A firm apple is best for baking. I like a combination of sweet apples and tart apples for apple dessert recipes.

The apple varieties I like best for baking: Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Braeburn, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, and Fuji.

how to make this easy fruit crisp recipe

Start by preheating the oven and buttering a deep pie plate {I use my Jefferson Street Ceramics pie plate}. You can also use a 9x9 baking pan or any deep baking dish.

Then peel, core and slice the apples to about ¼ inch thick.

Next place the sliced apples into a bowl and toss with the lemon juice, bourbon and vanilla. {these are the glass bowls I use daily in my kitchen}

Then add the brown sugar, flour and cinnamon and toss until evenly coated. Set aside while you make the crisp topping.

In another bowl, toss together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. I just use a fork.

Then add the cold, cubed butter and use your {clean} fingers, a fork or pastry cutter to work the butter into the flour mixture until a crumbly mixture forms. The topping should hold together in clumps when squeezed.

Now stir in the oats until combined.

Finally evenly spread the apple filling in your baking dish and top with the oatmeal streusel and bake until the top is golden brown and the apple juices are bubbling around the edges.

what is the difference between a crisp and a crumble?

A fruit crisp and a crumble are both very similar apple desserts, but a crumble rarely uses oats in the topping.

bourbon apple crisp topping ideas

You can serve this classic fall dessert plain, but this warm apple recipe is also incredible with ~

• Vanilla ice cream
• Cinnamon ice cream
• Whiskey Vanilla Caramel Sauce
• Homemade vanilla whipped cream

should apple crisp be refrigerated?

Yes, any leftovers should be covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Remember to snap a picture and tag me on Instagram if you make this Bourbon Apple Crisp. It warms my heart to see you bring these recipes to life! Thank you for being here and happy baking!

more apple dessert recipes

• Apple Cider Sugar Cookies
• Apple Spice Cake with Mascarpone Frosting
• Cinnamon Apple Crostata
• Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars
• Apple Cider Banana Bread

If you make this recipe {or any recipe!} from two sugar bugs please come back and leave a review and a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating.  I read every comment, and I LOVE hearing from you!