Caramel Apple Crisp with Toasted Pecans Recipe

*Sigh* Don’t apples have the most pleasant fall and winter vibes? It always gets me in the spirit of the season. Plus, my guy loves apples. Totally loves them. So I love coming up with new recipes that include apples. Everyone wins!

That’s why I created this easy to bake and knock your socks off Apple Crisp Recipe with Caramel & Toasted Pecans. It’s a fun spin on a traditional apple crisp. The pecans give it a nutty richness and the caramel makes it a little sweet to balance some tart apples.

So let’s make it! Scroll to the bottom to go straight to the recipe and read on for tips and tricks.

Ingredients to Make a Caramel Apple Crisp

In this recipe, we’re making 3 different things that fit together. Possibly 4. We make the crumble topping, the caramel apple filling, the caramel sauce and if you are feeling ambitious – the vanilla ice cream too! So there are a lot of supplies.

You’ll need the basics like flour, white sugar, and brown sugar. Plus a couple of oddball ingredients like half and half and granny smith apples. The full list of supplies can be found at the bottom of this post!

Make the Crumble Topping

This recipe starts with the crumble topping. There are a million ways to make a crisp or cobbler topping – but this one is caramel apple perfect. First, start with flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. The spices are just perfect for this recipe.

Be sure the spices are evenly blended by whisking them together. You can also use a fork to blend these dry ingredients.

Then cut in cold butter like you would for a pie crust. Continue to blend in your butter until you get a crumbly consistency.

Now add oats and pecans to make a rich and flavorful topping! When the pecans crisp in the oven, it’s truly special.

Coat the Apples

After you peel and slice your Granny Smith apples, you are going to coat them in flour, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. As you would with any dry ingredients, blend them together first. Make sure they are even before tossing your apples in the coating.

If you want softer apples, you can place your coated apple slices in the fridge in a plastic bag overnight. Not only is it totally flavorful, it has a lovely old-fashioned texture. If you want fresher apples, use them immediately.

Then you can layer your apples in a greased baking dish. It may seem silly to grease a baking dish for a crumble, but it really will help with both serving and clean up!

How to Make the Caramel Sauce

I made the caramel sauce from scratch and you should too! It will make your recipe even richer and more decadent. But if you are in a rush and want to make a quick version. Just find a pre-made caramel sauce.

Most of the sauce is actually used to top the finished dessert before serving and even the ice cream. Be careful that you are only using a few tablespoons inside the apple pie filling.

Make Your Caramel Apple Crisp Cute

Since this dessert is so simple and southern, it’s fun to find little ways to make it cute. I chose to make a flower out of pecan halves for the center of this Apple Crisp. It just adds a touch of charm!

How to Bake Your Caramel Apple Crisp

Your Caramel Apple Crisp bakes just like other crumbles – at 350°F for around 45 minutes. This is a dish that you will always want to check and turn a little past halfway through cooking time. Look for any brown areas in the topping – where the oven is hotter. Be sure to rotate that area so you won’t accidentally burn a corner of your Apple Crisp.

Your Apple Crisp is ready when the entire surface is a gorgeous golden brown.

How to Serve Your Caramel Apple Crisp

I chose to serve this Caramel Apple Crisp warm straight from the oven with a bit of vanilla ice cream. If you really want to go for it, you have to try Mexican Vanilla (that’s vanilla with a hint of cinnamon) or a Maple Ice Cream. Buttered Pecan would be amazing and decadent too or you could try frozen yogurt for a healthier alternative!

Be sure that you left enough of your caramel sauce to top your Apple Crisp and your ice cream. You may want to warm the caramel sauce before drizzling it over the dessert.

And viola! You have a gorgeous finished Caramel Apple Crisp with Toasted Pecans! So yummy and a perfect twist on apple desserts. This would pair so well with a classic entree like a grilled garlic steak.

What would you pair this Apple Crisp with? Tell us in the comments!