⏳ Yield & Time

Yield: 6 servings

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 60 minutes

🍽 Ingredients

• 6 medium Granny Smith Apples
• 7/8 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
• 4 tbsp All-Purpose Flour
• 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp Ground Nutmeg
• 4 oz Cream Cheese
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 cup Rolled Oats
• 1/2 cup Chopped Pecans or Walnuts
• 1/2 cup, melted Unsalted Butter

📖 Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This is crucial for getting that perfect golden-brown topping.
2. Peel, core, and slice about 6 medium Granny Smith apples. I find using a mandoline slicer is super efficient but be careful—those blades are sharp!
3. In a large mixing bowl, toss the sliced apples with 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg. Mix gently, try not to mash the apples too much, we want to preserve their shape.
4. For the cream cheese swirl: In a medium bowl, beat together 4 ounces of softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. If it's too thick, add a teaspoon of milk or cream at a time until you get the desired consistency.
5. Pour the apple mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. I like to use parchment paper to line the baking dish for easy cleanup and effortless removal of the baked crisp.
6. Dollop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the apples. Swirl it gently using a knife or toothpick for a marbled effect. Don't over swirl, you want visible swirls, not a complete mix!
7. In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup of rolled oats, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts (optional), and 1/2 cup (1 stick) of melted unsalted butter. Mix until evenly combined and crumbly.
8. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apple and cream cheese mixture. Make sure to cover the entire surface. This will prevent soggy apples!
9. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender. The baking time might vary depending on your oven—keep an eye on it!
10. Let the apple crisp cool slightly before serving. This allows the filling to set a bit and makes it easier to serve. A scoop of vanilla ice cream is the absolute perfect compliment!

📝 Notes

• For a richer flavor, use brown butter instead of regular melted butter.
• If you don't have pecans or walnuts, you can substitute with other nuts or seeds.
• Feel free to add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors.