Irresistible Holiday Spiced Cranberry & Apple Crisp Recipe

Nothing says holiday comfort like the smell of spiced fruit baking in the oven. My Holiday Spiced Cranberry & Apple Crisp has been warming up our family gatherings for years – it’s the dessert everyone begs me to make when the weather turns chilly. The magic happens when tart cranberries meet sweet apples, all hugged by a buttery oat topping that gets perfectly crisp in the oven. I still remember the first time I made this for Thanksgiving – the way the cranberries popped and mingled with the apples created this gorgeous ruby-red juice that made the whole kitchen smell like Christmas. It’s become our must-have dessert that bridges the gap between pie and cobbler, with just enough spice to make it special without overpowering the fruit.

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Why You’ll Love This Holiday Spiced Cranberry & Apple Crisp

This crisp checks all the boxes for the perfect holiday dessert – here’s why it’s become my go-to:

• Effortless elegance: Looks fancy but comes together in minutes (I’ve made it in my pajamas more than once)
• Crowd-pleasing flavors: The tart-sweet balance makes both kids and grandparents happy
• That holiday aroma: Cinnamon and nutmeg will make your whole house smell like Christmas morning
• Endless variations: Top with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or even a drizzle of caramel sauce
• Make-ahead magic: Assemble it early and just pop in the oven when guests arrive

Trust me – once you try this crisp, it’ll become your new holiday tradition too.

Ingredients for Holiday Spiced Cranberry & Apple Crisp

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this cozy dessert – I promise it’s all simple, easy-to-find ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh cranberries (whole, no need to chop – they’ll burst beautifully while baking)
• 3 medium apples (peeled and sliced about 1/4″ thick – I use Honeycrisp but Granny Smith works too)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (this balances the tart cranberries perfectly)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh squeezed is best – keeps the apples from browning)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (the star of our spice show)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (just enough to add warmth without overpowering)
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats (not quick oats – we want that nice texture)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled to measure correctly)
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (dark brown gives the best flavor)
• 1/2 cup cold butter (cubed – I stick it in the freezer for 10 minutes before using)

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

No fresh cranberries? Frozen work great – no need to thaw. For gluten-free, swap the flour with almond flour (add 1/4 tsp xanthan gum). You can use coconut sugar instead of granulated, and vegan butter works well too. I’ve even used pears instead of apples when I was in a pinch – the crisp still disappeared fast.

How to Make Holiday Spiced Cranberry & Apple Crisp

This cozy dessert comes together in three simple steps, and I promise the results will make your kitchen smell like holiday magic. Just follow along – I’ve made this so many times I could probably do it in my sleep now.

Step 1: Prepare the Fruit Filling

First things first – preheat that oven to 375°F (190°C). While it’s heating up, toss your sliced apples and whole cranberries in a big bowl. Sprinkle in the granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and that splash of lemon juice (this keeps the apples from turning brown while you work on the topping). Mix it all gently with your hands – I love how the cranberries start getting glossy with sugar. The mixture will look dry at first, but don’t worry – those juicy berries will release their magic during baking.

Step 2: Make the Crisp Topping

Now for the best part – the crumbly topping. In another bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, and brown sugar. Then comes the cold butter – this is crucial. I cut it into small cubes and work it into the dry ingredients with my fingers until the mixture looks like coarse sand with some pea-sized butter bits remaining. You’ll know it’s right when you can squeeze a handful and it holds together briefly before crumbling apart. Pro tip: if your hands get too warm, pop the bowl in the fridge for 5 minutes – cold butter makes the crispiest topping.

Step 3: Assemble & Bake

Pour your fruit mixture into a 9-inch baking dish (no need to grease it). Sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the fruit – I like to use my hands to create some bigger clumps here and there for extra texture. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the topping is golden and you see those gorgeous ruby juices bubbling up around the edges. If the top starts browning too quickly, just lay a piece of foil loosely over it. Let it cool for at least 10 minutes before serving – I know it’s hard to wait, but this helps the juices thicken perfectly.

Tips for the Best Holiday Spiced Cranberry & Apple Crisp

After making this crisp more times than I can count, here are my tried-and-true secrets for perfection:

• Butter temperature is key – I chill mine in the freezer for 10 minutes before making the topping for maximum crispiness
• Don’t skip the rest time – Letting it sit 10 minutes after baking allows the juices to thicken beautifully
• Mix with your hands – You’ll get better texture working the butter into the topping by hand than with a pastry cutter
• Watch the edges – If they start browning too fast, just tent with foil while the center finishes
• Make it ahead – Assemble up to a day in advance and refrigerate – just add 5 extra minutes to baking time

Serving & Storing Holiday Spiced Cranberry & Apple Crisp

Oh, the joy of serving this warm crisp straight from the oven. My family always gathers around the second they smell it baking. For the ultimate experience, top each serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream – the way it melts into those warm cranberry juices is pure magic. If you’re feeling fancy, a dollop of fresh whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce takes it next level. Leftovers? (If you have any) Store covered in the fridge for up to 3 days – just reheat in a 350°F oven until bubbly again. The crisp topping loses its crunch in the microwave, so oven reheating is worth the extra few minutes.

Holiday Spiced Cranberry & Apple Crisp FAQs

Nutritional Information

Now, I’m no nutritionist (just a passionate home cook who loves dessert), but here’s the general nutritional breakdown per serving of our Holiday Spiced Cranberry & Apple Crisp. Keep in mind these are estimates – your exact numbers might vary slightly depending on your specific ingredients and portion sizes.

• Calories: 320
• Total Fat: 12g (7g saturated, 4g unsaturated)
• Cholesterol: 30mg
• Sodium: 85mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 55g
• Dietary Fiber: 4g
• Sugars: 42g
• Protein: 2g

I always say life’s too short not to enjoy dessert – especially during the holidays. The way I see it, those cranberries and apples pack in some good antioxidants, the oats give you fiber, and the happiness it brings? Well, that’s priceless nutrition for the soul if you ask me.

There you have it – my beloved Holiday Spiced Cranberry & Apple Crisp in all its cozy, cinnamon-scented glory. I can’t wait for you to experience the magic of that first bite – the way the tart cranberries play off the sweet apples, all wrapped up in that buttery, crisp topping. It’s the kind of dessert that makes everyone linger at the table just a little longer, scraping their bowls for every last crumb. Give it a try this holiday season and make it your own – maybe add a handful of pecans to the topping or a splash of orange zest to the fruit. However you make it, I’d love to hear about your version in the comments below. Happy baking, and may your kitchen be filled with the warmest holiday aromas.

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