Cranberry Apple Crisp

Name: Cranberry Apple Crisp
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup light brown sugar; 1/2 cup rolled oats; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup chopped pecan nuts; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; 1 pinch of salt; 1/4 cup cold butter (diced); 3 medium apples (cored and diced); 2 medium pears (cored and diced OR more apples); 1 cup fresh cranberries (large ones halved); 1/3 cup granulated sugar (or more to taste); 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

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4.94 from 15 votes

Jump to Recipe 12/14/24 | Updated: 12/16/24 | by Nora

Get ready to wow your family with the best-ever cranberry apple crisp recipe that’s equal parts cozy and irresistible! With tart cranberries, sweet apples and pears, and a buttery pecan-studded oat topping, this dessert is pure comfort in every bite.

overhead view of cranberry apple crisp with ice cream

Perfect for holiday gatherings or a simple treat on a chilly evening, it’s guaranteed to become a favorite in your recipe collection!

Why you’ll love this recipe

Perfectly balanced flavors: The sweet apples and pears pair beautifully with the tart cranberries, while the hint of cinnamon ties everything together for a warm, comforting treat.
Easy to make: With simple steps and no fancy equipment needed, this recipe is stress-free and comes together in no time – perfect for busy moms and grandmas!
Irresistible topping: The buttery, pecan-studded oat crumble adds the perfect crunch and makes every bite absolutely unforgettable.

Ingredients you’ll need

Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities!

overhead view of ingredient for cranberry apple crisp with text labels — Ingredients to make a cranberry apple crisp: Oats, brown sugar, pecans, flour, salt, cinnamon, cold butter, apples, pears, cranberries, white sugar, plus a liitle bit more flour and cinnamon.

Ingredient notes

Apples and pears: Choose firm, slightly tart varieties like Granny Smith apples or Bartlett pears for the best texture and flavor. If you don’t have pears, you can use all apples instead – I like to include them for their sweetness, so you may want to increase the sugar by 1-2 tablespoons if you choose to skip them.
Fresh cranberries: Large cranberries are ideal for their vibrant tartness, but if you can’t find fresh, frozen ones will work. Just halve them if they’re large, and no need to thaw before using.
Brown sugar: The caramel flavor of light brown sugar is key for the topping, but you can swap in dark brown sugar for a deeper molasses taste.
Rolled oats: Stick with old-fashioned oats for the perfect crumble texture – quick oats can make the topping too soft.
Pecans: These add a delightful crunch, but walnuts or almonds can work if you prefer. You can also skip the nuts altogether for a nut-free version.
Cold butter: Cutting in cold butter ensures a crumbly, golden topping.
Granulated sugar in the filling: Adjust the sugar to taste depending on how sweet or tart your fruit is.
Cinnamon: A must-have for that classic cozy flavor! Feel free to add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice for extra warmth.

How to make a cranberry apple crisp

Let’s make this cranberry apple crisp together – it’s going to be so good, you’ll want to eat it straight out of the baking dish (no judgment here!). Follow these easy steps, and we’ll have a warm, bubbling dessert ready in no time.

1. Prep your oven and dish: Start by heating your oven to 350°F. While it’s warming up, grab a 7×11-inch baking dish and lightly grease it with butter or a bit of cooking spray.

This keeps all the fruity goodness from sticking – because who wants to waste any of it?

2. Make the topping: In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the brown sugar, rolled oats, flour, chopped pecans, cinnamon, and a tiny pinch of salt.

Now, here’s the fun part: cut in the cold butter with your hands (yes, your hands!). Trust me, it works so much better than a pastry cutter, especially with those nutty bits in the mix.

overhead view of dry ingredients for crumble topping in glass bowl with wooden spoon — combine dry ingredients

overhead view of oat crumble topping in glass bowl — add butter to form crumbs

Work it all together until you have lovely crumbs – like the kind you’d want to snack on. Pop the bowl in the fridge to keep it nice and cold while we get to the filling.

3. Prepare the filling: In a large mixing bowl, toss together your diced apples, pears, and fresh cranberries. Sprinkle on the granulated sugar, flour, and cinnamon, then give everything a good stir.

You want the fruit to be evenly coated so every bite is perfectly sweet and spiced.

overhead view of apple cranberry crisp fruit filling in glass bowl with wooden spoon — combine filling ingredients

overhead view of cranberry apple crisp filling in rectangular white baking dish — spread in prepared dish

4. Assemble the crisp: Pour the fruit filling into your prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.

Now, grab your chilled topping from the fridge and sprinkle it all over the fruit. Make sure to cover every nook and cranny – more topping equals more deliciousness!

overhead view of unbaked cranberry apple crisp in rectangular white baking dish — add topping

overhead view of baked cranberry apple crisp — bake!

5. Bake to perfection: Slide your crisp into the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is a gorgeous golden brown and the fruit is bubbling away. Your kitchen will smell absolutely heavenly!

Once it’s done, let the crisp rest on the counter for 10-15 minutes. This gives it time to set up just enough so that every spoonful is pure magic.

overhead view of baked cranberry apple crisp with spoonful taken out

That’s it! Serve it warm, maybe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top. Whether it’s a cozy family dessert or the star of your holiday table, this cranberry apple crisp is bound to bring smiles all around.

Tips & tricks

Use firm, fresh fruit: Opt for apples and pears that are firm and slightly tart – they hold their shape during baking and balance the sweetness beautifully. Avoid overly ripe fruit, as it can turn mushy.
Chill the topping: Keeping the topping cold (and the butter solid) is key to achieving that irresistible, crumbly texture. Mix it first and pop it in the fridge while preparing the filling.
Don’t skip halving large cranberries: Halving the cranberries ensures even cooking and prevents any surprise overly tart bites. If using frozen cranberries, you can toss them in whole if you’re in a pinch.
Adjust sweetness to taste: Depending on how tart your fruit and cranberries are, you might want to add a little more granulated sugar to the filling. Taste your fruit mixture before assembling, so you get the perfect balance of sweet and tangy.
Evenly distribute the topping: When sprinkling the topping over the fruit, aim for an even layer. Press down lightly if needed, so it bakes into a crispy, golden blanket of deliciousness.
Watch the bake time: All ovens vary, so keep an eye on your crisp during the last few minutes of baking. The topping should be golden and the fruit bubbling at the edges – if it’s browning too quickly, loosely cover it with foil.
Let it rest before serving: As tempting as it is to dive in immediately, giving the crisp 10-15 minutes to rest allows the juices to settle, making it easier to serve (and even tastier).

Helpful recipe hints

Recipe variations

Cranberry-orange delight: Add 1-2 teaspoons of orange zest and a splash of fresh orange juice to the filling for a bright, festive flavor that complements the cranberries beautifully.
Gingerbread spice twist: Swap the cinnamon in the topping and filling for a gingerbread spice blend, or add a pinch of ground ginger and cloves for a holiday-inspired warmth.
Maple pecan crisp: Replace 4 tablespoons of sugar with maple syrup in the filling for a rich, seasonal sweetness. Toast the pecans lightly before adding them to bring out their nutty flavor.
Caramel apple cranberry crisp: Drizzle a few spoonfuls of caramel sauce over the filling before adding the topping for an indulgent, holiday-ready twist.
Add dried fruit: Toss a handful of dried cranberries, chopped dried apricots, or golden raisins into the filling for an extra layer of holiday cheer.
Spiked filling: Add a splash of bourbon, spiced rum, or brandy to the fruit filling for a grown-up holiday dessert with a touch of festive spirit.
Nut-free topping: Skip the pecans and add an extra ¼ cup of oats or sunflower seeds for crunch without the nuts.

overhead close up photo of cranberry apple crisp

Storage tips

Make ahead: You can prep this up to a day ahead. Prepare the topping and filling separately. Store both the topping in a covered bowl and the filling covered in the baking dish in the refrigerator. Assemble and bake fresh when ready to serve.
Storing leftovers: Cover the baked crisp tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or warm the whole dish in the oven at 325°F until heated through.
Freezer-friendly option: Assemble the crisp in a freezer-safe baking dish and cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil before baking. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, bake straight from frozen at 350°F, adding 10-25 minutes to the bake time (depending on your oven). Ensure the crisp is heated through and bubbly everywhere before serving.

Serving ideas

Main course: Serve it after a cozy dinner of Crockpot Cranberry Turkey Breast and Mashed Potatoes for an easy family night meal.
Brunch pairing: Make it the sweet centerpiece of a holiday brunch alongside a Sausage Breakfast Casserole.
Cozy dinner: Enjoy it as the perfect dessert following a hearty bowl of Crockpot Beef Stew.
Simple snack: Pair leftovers with a dollop of Greek yogurt for an afternoon treat or light dessert.
Holiday feast: Add it to your Thanksgiving or Christmas dessert table alongside Pumpkin Pie for a festive spread.

overhead view of cranberry apple crisp in a bowl with a spoon

More cranberry recipes

More fruit desserts

Watch the recipe video

PS If you try this recipe, please leave a review in the comment section and add a star rating in the recipe card – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram.

Printable recipe

This recipe was actually one of the first ones I shared here on Savory Nothings on 11/07/2014. It got an update in 2019 where I improved the recipe and added new photos. It got another update on 12/14/2024 with new photos and improved text.

4.94 from 15 votes (12 ratings without comment)