1-First Step: Gather and prep Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter or spray an 8×8 baking dish and set it aside. Prepare a clean cutting board and a sharp knife for the apples. Dice 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter into small cubes and return to the refrigerator so it stays chilled.

2-Second Step: Prepare the spiced apples Peel the apples if you prefer a smoother filling; peeling is optional. Chop the apples into bite-sized pieces. Chopped apples yield about 6-7 cups total. In a medium bowl, combine the chopped apples with 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice. Toss until the apples are evenly coated. If you are worried about extra liquid, add 1-2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to the apple mixture to help thicken the juices.

3-Third Step: Fill the baking dish Transfer the spiced apple mixture to the prepared 8×8 baking dish and spread into an even layer. This creates a consistent base under the crisp topping.

4-Fourth Step: Make the crisp topping In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup light brown sugar, 3/4 cup old fashioned oats, 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and a pinch of kosher salt. Add the cold, diced 1/2 cup unsalted butter. Use a pastry cutter, two forks, or your clean fingers to cut the butter into the dry mixture until pea-sized crumbs form. The texture should resemble coarse crumbs instead of a paste; this creates a crunchy, crumbly top when baked.

5-Fifth Step: Assemble and bake Spread the topping evenly over the apples so the fruit is mostly covered. Place the dish on the middle rack of your preheated oven and bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Look for a golden brown topping and bubbling juices around the edges as indicators of doneness. Baking times may vary by oven; if you want extra crispness, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end while watching closely.

6-Final Step: Rest and serve Remove the Apple Crisp from the oven and let it rest 10 to 15 minutes so the filling begins to set. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For a salted-sweet finish, drizzle with salted caramel sauce. If you enjoy a creamy partner to this dessert, try my vanilla custard cream squares for an elegant pairing: vanilla custard cream squares.