Apple Butterscotch Crisp: A Warm, Comforting Dessert with a Twist

Apple Butterscotch Crisp is a cozy dessert that takes the familiar comfort of classic apple crisp and elevates it with rich, buttery butterscotch flavor. The result is a dessert that feels nostalgic yet indulgent, combining tender baked apples, warm spices, and a golden oat topping infused with sweet butterscotch notes.

This dessert is perfect for fall gatherings, holiday tables, or any time you’re craving something warm and satisfying. Unlike traditional apple crisp, which relies solely on brown sugar for sweetness, this version introduces butterscotch for deeper caramel flavor and a subtle richness that sets it apart.

Apple Butterscotch Crisp is simple enough for a weeknight dessert yet impressive enough to serve guests. It fills the kitchen with irresistible aromas and delivers comfort in every spoonful.

Why Butterscotch Makes Apple Crisp Even Better

Butterscotch is made from butter and brown sugar, which makes it a natural pairing for apples. When baked, it melts into the apple filling and topping, creating a sauce-like richness that enhances the fruit’s natural sweetness.

What butterscotch adds to this crisp:

• Deeper caramel flavor
• Rich buttery notes
• Extra moisture without sogginess
• A bakery-style finish

Combined with cinnamon-spiced apples and crunchy oats, butterscotch transforms a simple crisp into something truly special.

Ingredients

Apple Filling

• 6 cups apples, peeled and sliced
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup butterscotch chips

Crisp Topping

• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.
2. Prepare the Apple Filling
   In a large bowl, toss apples with brown sugar, granulated sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, flour, and butterscotch chips. Spread evenly into the prepared dish.
3. Make the Crisp Topping
   In a separate bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in melted butter until crumbly.
4. Assemble the Crisp
   Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apple mixture, covering completely.
5. Bake
   Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbly and tender.
6. Cool Slightly
   Let the crisp rest for 10–15 minutes before serving to allow juices to thicken.
7. Serve Warm
   Serve warm on its own or with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Apple Butterscotch Crisp

Warm baked apples with rich butterscotch and a golden oat crisp topping.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 420

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 6 cups apples peeled and sliced
• 0.33 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1.5 tsp ground cinnamon
• 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 0.75 cup butterscotch chips
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 0.75 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.75 cup brown sugar
• 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
• 0.25 tsp salt
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter melted

Equipment

• Baking dish
• Mixing bowls

Method

 

1. Preheat oven and grease baking dish.
2. Toss apples with sugars, spices, flour, and butterscotch chips.
3. Spread apple mixture evenly in baking dish.
4. Combine topping ingredients until crumbly.
5. Sprinkle topping over apples.
6. Bake until golden and bubbly.
7. Cool slightly before serving.

Notes

Best served warm with vanilla ice cream.

Tips for the Best Apple Butterscotch Crisp

• Use firm apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith
• Slice apples evenly for uniform baking
• Don’t skip resting time — it thickens the filling
• Cover loosely if browning too fast
• Serve warm for best flavor and texture

Variations to Try

Salted Butterscotch Apple Crisp
Add a pinch of flaky sea salt to the topping.

Nutty Apple Crisp
Mix chopped pecans or walnuts into the topping.

Gluten-Free Version
Use gluten-free flour and certified gluten-free oats.

Pear-Apple Butterscotch Crisp
Replace half the apples with ripe pears.

Best Apples for Baking

Firm apples that hold their shape are key. Granny Smith adds tartness, Honeycrisp offers sweetness and texture, and Braeburn provides balance. A mix of varieties creates the best depth of flavor.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

• Assemble up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate before baking
• Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
• Reheat in the oven for best texture

Why Crisps Are Always a Crowd Favorite

Crisps are beloved because they’re forgiving, flexible, and deeply comforting. They don’t require precise shaping or decoration — just good ingredients and thoughtful baking.

Apple Butterscotch Crisp adds a bakery-style twist to this classic, making it memorable without being complicated.

Final Thoughts

Apple Butterscotch Crisp is the kind of dessert that brings people back for seconds. Warm, buttery, and rich with caramel flavor, it delivers everything you love about apple crisp with an indulgent upgrade.

Once you serve it, it’s guaranteed to become a seasonal favorite.