If pie isn’t your Thanksgiving obsession, this Cranberry Apple Crumble will hook you up for dessert success! It is the perfect blend of sweet apples with the tartness of fresh cranberries….and who can resist that perfect oatmeal crumble on top. Plus, you can make this a day or two ahead of time, then warm it before serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Much of my life, I was convinced I hated cranberries. But like most experiences with food, I just hadn’t had them in a way that highlighted their beauty. I had only ever tasted them in the jelled version in a can…not their ideal way to shine 🙂
As I have learned how to use cranberries properly, they are my favorite addition to any fall recipe. If you’ve been with me since 2008, you are well aware with my obsession with Cranberry Marshmallow Fluff Salad and White Chocolate Cranberry Bliss Bars. It is safe to say I have grown to love all things cranberry….including this Cranberry Apple Crumble!
Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh?
As the author of a best-selling frozen food cookbook, I have to say yes but with the understanding that your finished dessert will be a bit more watery unless you increase the flour in your filling just a bit. I would add an additional 1-2 teaspoons of flour to your filling.
When fall rolls around, every grocery store has bags of fresh cranberries in their produce section so I do suggest that you try those first.
What apples are best to use in a cranberry apple crumble?
Normally when making an apple pie or crumble, I suggest using a tart apple, such as a granny smith but since the tartness for this dessert is already being supplied by the cranberries, you should go for a firm, sweet apple instead. Any of the following apples would work perfectly in this recipe:
Honeycrisp
Jazz
Fuji
Pink Lady
Baeburn
Can I make this cranberry apple crisp ahead of time?
If you are making this for the big Thanksgiving feast, you can easily make this on Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving then warm it up before serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
If you do this, be sure to cover the cooled dessert with plastic wrap so it stays fresh…and to keep impatient fingers out of it 🙂 To reheat it, simply remove the plastic wrap and place it in a preheated 350 degree oven for 5-10 minutes. Yes, you can also reheat it in the microwave but then you lose out on the crispiness of the topping.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 11×7 in. baking dish with nonstick spray.
In a bowl, combine the apples, cranberries, sugar, flour, salt, and cinnamon. Pour into baking dish.
In a clean bowl, mix together the oats, flour, brown sugar, salt, and butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over the apple mixture and bake for 45-50 minutes until fruit is tender and the juices are bubbly around the edges. Serve warm with ice cream, if desired.
Notes
*You can add 1/3 cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds to the topping if desired.
Author:Carole Jones
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:45 minutes
Category:Dessert
Method:Baked
Cuisine:American
Nutrition
Serving Size:1/12
Calories:395
Sugar:42 g
Sodium:122 mg
Fat:15 g
Saturated Fat:7 g
Unsaturated Fat:2 g
Trans Fat:0 g
Carbohydrates:66 g
Fiber:4 g
Protein:4 g
Cholesterol:31 mg
Carole Jones
Carole Jones is an Arizona-based cookbook author & food blogger. She's authored The 30 Minute Cooking From Frozen Cookbook and the self-published Take 5: Chicken e-cookbook. For the past 15 years, Carole has shared her culinary adventures cooking and baking for her six brutally honest children here on My Kitchen Escapades. Hot, crusty bread is Carole's love language, but her two adorable grandchildren are a close second. Yes, second. Don't judge.
8 comments
Shelly
4 years ago
I’ll be honest. I didn’t think I would like this because of the cranberries but I made it because my Grandma loves anything with cranberries. It was amazing! I am converted 🙂
Carole
4 years ago
The things we do for our Grandmas! I’m so glad you loved it Shelly and I hope you try out a few more cranberry recipes I have on here.
Lina
3 years ago
I love cranberries–their tartness helps cut through holiday seasons of rich, heavy desserts. This wasn’t too sweet, was super simple to prepare, and was a lovely balance between the apples and cranberries. I’ll be making this again!
Carole Jones
3 years ago
Glad to hear it Lina!
M White
1 year ago
I love cranberries and recently was given a recipe for cranberry and apple jam. When I saw this recipe I knew I had to try. It didn’t disappoint! Great balance between the tart amd the sweetness.
Elizabeth
1 year ago
I made this recipe exactly as written and it was a huge hit on Thanksgiving! Will definitely be making it again for the holidays and adding it to our dessert table for years to come. Thank you for posting such a delicious recipe!
monique
6 months ago
Hi! does this call for salted or unsalted butter?
anthony
3 months ago
Unsalted, but to be honest I often use salted as that’s what I have more often since I love salted butter on bread and do not find it makes things too salty. It just depends on your saltiness preference.
Air Fryer S'mores are the perfect dessert idea when the weather or time isn't cooperating for building a fire. Making a s'more in the air fryer creates a perfectly toasted marshmallow and melts the milk...
Do you need the perfect dessert recipe for a birthday celebration or summer party? This Homemade Ice Cream Cake is exactly what you are looking for and you won't believe how easy it is to make at home!...
If you love a flavorful, moist cake that is super easy to make, you will definitely want this Lemon Olive Oil Cake recipe! It's a one-bowl dessert recipe and you'll love the strong lemon flavor in every...
Looking for an amazing breakfast recipe for a special occasion? A cinnamon coffee cake is just what you are looking for! This is the best coffee cake recipe ever because of the sour cream used in the batter,...
Sour Cream Coffee Cake is our favorite breakfast treat and is really a simple recipe to mix up and toss in the oven. This is the best coffee cake recipe because it uses sour cream, which makes the...
Discover the best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls recipe you will ever have! The secret ingredient in the brioche dough is potato flakes, making it soft and tender not only right after baking them, but for...
8 comments
I’ll be honest. I didn’t think I would like this because of the cranberries but I made it because my Grandma loves anything with cranberries. It was amazing! I am converted 🙂
The things we do for our Grandmas! I’m so glad you loved it Shelly and I hope you try out a few more cranberry recipes I have on here.
I love cranberries–their tartness helps cut through holiday seasons of rich, heavy desserts. This wasn’t too sweet, was super simple to prepare, and was a lovely balance between the apples and cranberries. I’ll be making this again!
Glad to hear it Lina!
I love cranberries and recently was given a recipe for cranberry and apple jam. When I saw this recipe I knew I had to try. It didn’t disappoint! Great balance between the tart amd the sweetness.
I made this recipe exactly as written and it was a huge hit on Thanksgiving! Will definitely be making it again for the holidays and adding it to our dessert table for years to come. Thank you for posting such a delicious recipe!
Hi! does this call for salted or unsalted butter?
Unsalted, but to be honest I often use salted as that’s what I have more often since I love salted butter on bread and do not find it makes things too salty. It just depends on your saltiness preference.