The Most Perfectly Spiced Apple Crisp (Gluten Free Option)

Tender apples, delicate spices, buttery bites of crumble, and the perfect sweetness create the perfect plate of dessert. This Spiced Apple Crisp Recipe is the only one that you will ever need. I promise you that much. All you need is a big scoop of vanilla ice cream to go along with it.

I don't believe that I will ever be able to select one dessert to be the "superior" favorite for me. I get asked frequently what my favorite dessert is. However, I can never answer just ONE dessert.

For valid reasons, I think my answers will stay that way. However, I simply cannot get enough of a fresh fruit crisp - whether, apple, peach, blueberry, cherry, etc. I love them all. I am pretty sure the ice cream that slowly melts into the dessert just makes it the most heavenly bite.

I especially love the crumble topping. Growing up, I would help my mom make all of our fruit crisps, and I would just stand in the kitchen with the bowl and eat the crumble by the handful. The actual fruit crisp never got as much as it was originally destined to have, because this little girl with blonde hair and green eyes couldn't keep her hands out of the crumble. I have zero regrets.

It is the best part, and that's why I always doubled it for every recipe. I promise you that this recipe is sufficient enough for your crumble needs. Trust me.

What You'll Need to Make Perfectly Spiced Apple Crisp:

- Apples: I prefer a mix of Gala or Honeycrisp and Granny Smith, but you can use whatever you happen to have on hand. If you're using Granny Smith apples only, I might add a tad bit more sugar if you know yours are going to be pretty tart.

- Brown Sugar

- Cinnamon

- Oat Flour or All Purpose Flour : This can easily be made gluten free by using oat flour, but if you're not in need of a gluten free option - feel free to just use All Purpose Flour in its place.

- Rolled Oats: If you're cooking for someone with a gluten sensitivity, allergy, or Celiac Disease, make sure to use Certified Gluten Free Oats. Either way, be sure to use Old Fashioned Oats and not quick cooking oats, if you have the option.

- Ginger, Cardamom, Allspice, Nutmeg

- Salt

- Butter

I am very ready for fall and apple season. We have had such a hot, miserable summer, here in North Carolina. I am ready for some cooler evenings, brisk air, and the leaves to begin changing. I am ready to enjoy being outdoors again. So, to help me get even more excited for fall, I decided to perfect one of my favorite desserts. THE APPLE CRISP !

Apple season will begin in just a few weeks around here, and I can't tell you how excited I am. I will be making these crisps constantly until halloween. Trust me!

I love the warm spices that fall brings, and I promise that this crisp has the perfect blend. You might think that cardamom is a unique spice to add; however, it adds such a beautiful warmth to the dessert. You don't want to skip this ingredient.

What is Cardamom?

Cardamom is a spice that originated in India. It grows in a pod, and the seeds are ground up to create this beloved spice. It adds such a unique but lovely flavor to all desserts. It is most commonly used in chai teas, but it is a wonderful addition to this crisp. Trust me on this one!

Cardamom has a slight floral taste, but it certainly does not taste of a flower bouquet. It is a touch like a mild and every day lavender, to me. But, it pairs so well with cinnamon and every other warm spice. However, it is so delicious on its own, too. I especially love to pair cardamom with fruit. It makes fruit flavors sing.

You can find it at most grocery stores in the spice aisle, and it comes in two forms - whole pods or ground. For this recipe, you'll need ground cardamom. I certainly think it is worth having around. I use it for a lot of recipes. It adds a lot of depth and dimension to dishes, baked goods, and other treats.

If your grocery store spice aisle doesn't have it, be sure to check the International foods aisle, an Indian market, or other International food stores. World Market even sells it. I've purchased it on Amazon and even Thrive Market before, also.

This apple crisp contains cinnamon and sugared apples and is topped with a sweet, crunchy streusel crumble. It is gluten free, because it uses oat flour. I promise that no one will be able to tell the difference. I shared some with some of my gluten-eating family, and they devoured it happily. Not a word was said about if it was gluten free or not... that's a good sign.

I can't wait to hear your thoughts on this perfect crisp. My whole family fell head over heels for this one. and, I assure you... it's perfect.

Oh, and don't forget the ice cream!