Barefoot Contessa Apple Cranberry Crisp is made with Bosc pears, Macoun apples, dried cranberries, orange zest, cinnamon, and a buttery oat topping. This recipe creates a warm and fruity crisp with a hint of citrus and spice. It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to prepare and serves 8.
Barefoot Contessa Apple Cranberry Crisp Ingredients
- 2 pounds ripe Bosc pears (4 pears)
- 2 pounds firm Macoun apples (6 apples)
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
For the Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup old-fashioned oatmeal
- 1/2 pound (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, diced
How To Make Barefoot Contessa Apple Cranberry Crisp
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Prepare the Fruit: Peel, core, and cut pears and apples into large chunks.
- Mix Filling: In a large bowl, toss the fruit with cranberries, zests, juices, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour into a 9 x 12 x 2-inch baking dish.
- Make the Topping: In a mixer with paddle attachment, combine flour, sugars, salt, oatmeal, and butter. Mix on low for 1 to 2 minutes until mixture forms large crumbles.
- Assemble Crisp: Sprinkle topping evenly over fruit, covering completely.
- Bake: Place baking dish on a parchment-lined sheet pan. Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, until top is golden and fruit is bubbly.
- Serve: Serve warm.

Recipe Tips
- Use Ripe Yet Firm Fruit: Ensures both flavor and texture hold up during baking.
- Keep Butter Cold: Cold butter gives the topping its crisp texture.
- Use Old-Fashioned Oats: These give the best chewy texture—avoid instant oats.
- Bake on a Sheet Pan: Catches any fruit juices that may bubble over.
- Add Nuts for Crunch: Try walnuts or pecans in the topping for extra texture.
What To Serve With Apple Cranberry Crisp
This crisp pairs wonderfully with vanilla ice cream, cinnamon whipped cream, or a drizzle of heavy cream. Serve with hot tea, mulled cider, or a sweet white wine for a comforting dessert.
How To Store Apple Cranberry Crisp
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Freeze baked crisp for up to 2 months. Thaw in fridge and reheat in oven for best results.
Apple Cranberry Crisp Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 450
- Total Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 68g
- Sugar: 38g
- Protein: 4g
- Sodium: 160mg
FAQs
Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?
Yes, but add a little more sugar to offset their tartness.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, assemble and refrigerate before baking, or bake ahead and reheat before serving.
What if I don’t have Macoun apples?
Honeycrisp or Braeburn make good substitutes.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
No, but you can use gluten-free flour and oats to make it so.
How do I keep the topping from getting soggy?
Bake uncovered and don’t overmix the topping.
Try More Recipes:
Barefoot Contessa Apple Cranberry Crisp
Description
A warm baked fruit crisp with apples, pears, cranberries, and a buttery oat topping.
Ingredients
For the Topping:
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Peel, core, and chunk pears and apples.
- Toss fruit with cranberries, zests, juices, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour into a 9 x 12 x 2-inch baking dish.
- In mixer, combine topping ingredients and mix until crumbles form.
- Sprinkle topping over fruit.
- Place on parchment-lined sheet pan and bake 50 minutes to 1 hour.
- Serve warm.
