This easy cranberry crisp is full of fresh fall spicy flavors, lower in sugar than traditional apple crisp, ready in 20 minutes, and bright with holiday colors. Serve hot or cold, alone or with ice cream.
This easy cranberry crisp is a quick flavorful apple crisp, ready in minutes and holiday ready. This cranberry crisp is also loaded with cinnamony apples, yet free of oil and refined sugar. Serve it up for a holiday brunch along with apple cider donuts, baked pumpkin donuts, and soft healthy Jordan Marsh blueberry muffins.
Ingredients
for the crust
almond flour. This flour adds a buttery flavor, but all purpose flour also works, it will not be as flavorful.
granola. I used a cranberry almond granola, but you can use any granola mix that brings in your favorite flavors.
apple sauce. Unsweetened is delicious and best to control the sweetness.
cinnamon, salt
for the filling
cranberries. Fresh or frozen works. Fresh might create a crunchier berry, especially for the top.
apples. Any flavor works. Use red for a sweeter crisp; add some green for a sour note. Leave on the peel for more fiber.
apple cider. Water also works, but apple cider will add more flavor.
arrowroot or corn starch
cinnamon
for the topping
granola. Use the same granola you chose for the crust, only do not process it into a dusty flour texture.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Step by Step Instructions
For more detail, visit the complete recipe at the bottom of this post, but here are general steps.
Step 1. Make the crust. In an 8x8-inch baking dish, mix up the almond flour (or your favorite flour), granola, applesauce and cinnamon. Press it flat with a fork and set aside.
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Step 2. Make cranberry apple filling. Slice apples and toss the slices and cranberries in apple cider and cinnamon. Layer the filling over the crust.
Step 3. Make the topping. Sprinkle the granola on top.
Step 4. Bake, and allow to cool. Serve in the baking dish. Spoon servings from the bowl, and add whipped cream.
Recipe Tips
If you want a softer filling, bubble the apples and cranberry filling in a pan for 10 minutes prior to layering it on the crust.
Don't peel the apples for extra fiber.
Use any granola you like, however a cranberry flavor would fit well.
FAQS
It is definitely better the day it is made because the granola softens after a while. But if you don't mind that, refrigerate it covered for several days, and warm before serving.
Of course! Use your favorite and whatever pairs well with cranberry and apples.
If you want a more traditional crumble top, just double the crust recipe, combine with ¼ cup chopped cold butter to make crumble chunks.
Other Cranberry Fall Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Easy Cranberry Crisp
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 ¾ cups almond flour
- 1 ½ cup granola I used cranberry almond.
- 1 cup applesauce, unsweetened
- 2 tablespoon cinnamon
- pinch of salt
Filling
- 1 cup cranberries (whole fresh or frozen cranberries)
- 4 apples (peeled, cored and cut in slices)
- ½ cup apple cider
- 3 tablespoon arrowroot or corn starch (or any flour)
- 4 tbsps cinnamon
Topping
- ½ cup granola
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Instructions
Prep
- Preheat the oven to 375 F
- Using a food processor or blender, grind down the granola meant for the crust so it is more finely ground.
- Set aside an 8-inch by 8-inch pan or casserole dish that is oven-safe. Since you will serve directly from this dish, make it a pretty one.
Make Crust
- Combine crust ingredients in the pan you plan to cook the crisp in. Using a fork, stir the ingredients together.1 ¾ cups almond flour, 1 ½ cup granola, 1 cup applesauce, unsweetened, 2 tablespoon cinnamon, pinch of salt
- Using the same fork, level the mixture roughly on to the bottom of the pan.
Make Cranberry filling
- Wash, peel and core the four apples. I ended up with about 4 cups of sliced apples. Put them in a bowl and sprinkle them with cinnamon and the arrowroot powder.4 apples, 4 tbsps cinnamon, 3 tablespoon arrowroot or corn starch
- Pile the cinnamon apple slices onto the crust.
- Wash the cranberries, toss those in cinnamon, and add them to the pile of apples.1 cup cranberries, 2 tablespoon cinnamon
- Sprinkle whole granola on top.½ cup granola
Bake your Crisp
- Bake for 15 minutes or until top is browned but not too dark, and a test apple seems soft and cooked, then remove from the oven and let cool before serving.
Storage
- Either refrigerate 3-4 days or freeze long term.
Jess says
Love the combo of apples and cranberries together! Perfect fall flavours!
Dee Dine says
Thanks so much Jess!
Ela says
It looks delicious, apple cranberry is a great combination. I love the wholesome ingredients you are using in this recipe. 🙂
Dee Dine says
Thank you so much Ela!