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Graham Cracker Apple Crisp | Graham Cracker Apple Brown Betty

January 20, 2016 by Amanda 19 Comments

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Apple Crisp Made with Graham Cracker Crumbs | Apple Crumble | Brown Betty | www.craftycookingmama.com

A wonderful variation of a tried, true and favorite comfort food.  You’ll love the sweet crunch from the graham cracker crumbs in this Apple Crisp. 

I bought over 10 pounds of apples on sale for $.29 cents a pound.  Happy as happy could be with my apples, I also stumbled upon a 10 pound box of coarse graham cracker crumbs for just a few bucks.  It was time to bake….

I love crumbles and crisps.  They’re such simple, throw it all together desserts, but end up so delicious.  Any fruit works, but apples are my favorite.  I guess this version is technically considered a brown betty because there is an additional layer of crumbs.  Call it what you want, I call it delicious.

Apple Crisp Made with Graham Cracker Crumbs | Apple Crumble | Brown Betty | www.craftycookingmama.com

I have to mention that we’re not using fine crumbs like you would use for a pie crust.  You’re using a coarse crumble.  The box of graham cracker crumbs I found were labeled as a topping for sundaes and such.  That being said, you do not need to beat & roll the graham crackers to dusty oblivion.  You’ll achieve the desired texture by smashing the crackers by hand in a ziploc bag or however else you need to get this deed done.

I love when a recipe has a story.  Not all recipes do, nor should they.  How many tales can really be told about buttermilk biscuits, cream cheese frosting or meatloaf?  Many times, the recipe just is.  Who knows where it came from and who knows where it’s gonna go – other than in my belly 🙂

Apple Crisp Made with Graham Cracker Crumbs | Apple Crumble | Brown Betty | www.craftycookingmama.com

So onto the origins of this recipe.  I tasted a piece of this delicious apple crisp, baked from an old neighbor of mine.  I was very interested in her choice of topping – graham cracker crumbs browned in butter.  Simple enough, I know.  I was still curious, though.  My neighbor was an old order Mennonite (they’re much like the Amish) and as wonderful bakers as they are, they’re very frugal and super resourceful when it comes to cooking.  Bread crumbs or oats, yes – graham cracker crumbs, really?

Turns out, it’s an old recipe that “just is”.  It was simply a way of using up homemade graham crackers, gingerbread or sugar cookies that were on there way to being stale.  There’s that resourcefulness I was telling you about 🙂

Apple Crisp Made with Graham Cracker Crumbs | Apple Crumble | Brown Betty | www.craftycookingmama.com

Alright, so that’s it.  If you wanted to, you could certainly skip layering the fruit and just dump the graham cracker crumbs on top.  I would probably use less crumbs, but your crumbs are your business.  This is best eaten warm the day it’s made.  Top with whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, Mexican crema, vanilla yogurt, caramel sauce or whatever else your heart desires.  Leftovers will be mushy by the next day but can be reheated in the oven to restore some of the crisp.  You could also brown up and save some extra crumbs to sprinkle over and add some cruch to leftovers.  Crumbles, crisps & the such are all very not fussy, so go ahead and make it your way.  It will be delicious!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Happy baking 🙂

-Amanda-

Apple Crisp Made with Graham Cracker Crumbs | Apple Crumble | Brown Betty | www.craftycookingmama.com

Apple Crisp Made with Graham Cracker Crumbs | Apple Crumble | Brown Betty | www.craftycookingmama.com

Graham Cracker Apple Crisp | Graham Cracker Brown Betty

Amanda
A wonderful variation of a tried, true and favorite comfort food. You'll love the sweet crunch from the graham cracker crumbs in this Apple Crisp.
4.89 from 9 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 55 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
Course Desserts
Servings 9 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 3 1/2 cup coarse graham cracker crumbs *See Note*
  • 1/2 cup butter 1 stick
  • 6 cups peeled & sliced apples approx 7-9 apples
  • 2 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 cup brown sugar packed
  • 2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3/4 cup warm water
  • for topping optional whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, vanilla yogurt, Mexican crema, caramel sauce - whatever you prefer

Instructions
 

  • *Note*Graham cracker crumbs must be coarse and have texture to them. The crumbs you use for a pie crust are too fine.
  • Preheat oven to 350° Spray/grease an 11" x 7" or 2 quart baking dish.
  • In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat and add graham cracker crumbs. Cook and stir for about 10 minutes, or until crumbs are crunchy and lightly browned. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Peel, core and slice apples, toss with lemon juice. Set aside.
  • In a bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon.
  • Layer half the apples in the bottom of the greased casserole dish. Pour water over apples.
  • Cover apples with half the brown sugar mixture and half the graham cracker crumbs.
  • Repeat layer - apples, sugar and top with graham cracker crumbs.
  • Bake until apples are tender and top is lightly browned - about 40 - 45 minutes. If top is browning too quickly, but apples are not yet tender, cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake until tender.
  • Transfer to wire rack.
  • Top with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, vanilla yogurt, Mexican Crema, caramel sauce or whatever else you'd prefer! Apple Crisp is best eaten warm and the same day. Day or two old leftovers can be reheated in the oven to restore some of the crisp.
  • Enjoy 🙂
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

Filed Under: Baked Goods, Desserts, Fruit, Recipes

Previous Post: « Big Fat Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. kushigalu

    January 21, 2016 at 12:31 am

    5 stars
    This looks amazingly delicious. I am going to try out this weekend. Bookmarked.

    Reply
    • Amanda

      January 21, 2016 at 10:22 pm

      Thanks Kushi – hope you love it 🙂

      Reply
    • Cynthia Sanders

      September 1, 2019 at 3:06 pm

      I making this for Labor Day cookout, the start of Fall season! Looks so delicious!

      Reply
  2. Amy (Savory Moments)

    January 21, 2016 at 8:35 am

    This looks super delicious!! I’m pinning to remember to try it during apple season because we always end up with a ton of apples after we go picking each year!

    Reply
    • Amanda

      January 21, 2016 at 10:24 pm

      Thanks so much, Amy! I’m missing the local apple season already 🙁

      Reply
  3. Neeli @ Neeli's Unique Creations

    January 21, 2016 at 6:39 pm

    Crisps and cobblers are some of the tastiest desserts and easy to make, too. I love that you used graham crackers for the crumble. Looks delicious.

    Reply
    • Amanda

      January 21, 2016 at 10:34 pm

      Thanks Neeli! I love all things crisps, crumbles and cobblers 🙂 I’m craving a blueberry cobbler in the worst way but have been holding off – blueberries are so stinking expensive right now!

      Reply
  4. Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness

    January 23, 2016 at 2:11 pm

    5 stars
    I would have never thought of using graham cracker crumbs in a apple crisp. This looks really yummy, I love it!

    Reply
    • Amanda

      January 24, 2016 at 12:21 am

      Thanks so much, Dawn 🙂

      Reply
  5. Sarah

    October 15, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    5 stars
    I just made this for a football party and it was delicious!!! Great idea with the graham crackers!

    Reply
    • Amanda

      October 17, 2016 at 10:36 pm

      Yay! So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by Sarah 🙂

      Reply
  6. Susan Clay

    February 19, 2017 at 9:22 am

    4 stars
    This is pretty much the recipe my mom used…have been looking for a version using graham cracker crumbs also. She served warm with hard sauce…YUM

    Reply
    • Amanda

      February 24, 2017 at 10:06 pm

      Yay – glad you found the recipe & hope you enjoy it! I LOVE crisps & crumbles served with hard sauce – sooooo good!
      Thanks for stopping by Susan 🙂

      Reply
  7. Sarah

    December 12, 2017 at 8:48 pm

    5 stars
    I made this and it tastes amazing. I cooked my apples on the stove a bit 1st, so I wouldn’t have to worry about the top getting done first. Great recipe. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Amanda

      January 7, 2018 at 8:31 pm

      Thanks Sarah! So glad you enjoyed!
      Thanks for stopping by ♥

      Reply
  8. Aaron

    October 21, 2018 at 10:24 am

    5 stars
    This is a great recipe! I add a little vanilla to the butter and cover it with foil at the start taking it off towards the end. More like an hour and twenty minutes for my liking. Thanks

    Reply
  9. Dan and Mary

    January 3, 2019 at 2:18 pm

    5 stars
    Great recipe. My wife and I loved it. We will be making this on a regular basis.

    Reply
  10. Jen

    December 9, 2019 at 10:20 am

    5 stars
    A new family favourite! Used gluten free Graham cracker crumbs and dairy free butter. Topped with a coconut whipped cream. Everyone loved it. Requested at every family gathering.

    Reply
  11. Mary Adragna

    July 14, 2023 at 5:04 pm

    5 stars
    I made this with apricots and it is delicous!

    Reply

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