There’s an undeniable magic that happens when fall arrives, bringing with it a craving for cozy, heartwarming desserts. And what could be more quintessentially autumnal than the classic apple crisp? Now, imagine that classic, infused with luscious caramel, and made effortlessly in your slow cooker. Prepare yourself for the ultimate comfort food experience: the Crock Pot Caramel Apple Crisp.
Crock Pot Caramel Apple Crisp: Your Easiest Fall Dessert Dream
If you’ve been on the hunt for simple yet sensational slow cooker dessert recipes, look no further. This Caramel Apple Crisp isn’t just a recipe; it’s an invitation to a fuss-free kitchen and a home filled with the most inviting aromas. Last week, we delighted in a fantastic slow cooker strawberry crisp, proving once again that your trusty crockpot isn’t just for savory meals. It’s an invaluable tool for creating delectable sweets with minimal effort, allowing you to focus on family and friends while your dessert cooks itself to perfection.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Apple Crisp with Caramel
The slow cooker truly shines when it comes to desserts like apple crisp. It transforms crisp, tart apples into tender, spiced goodness, all while infusing them with a rich caramel sweetness. The beauty of this method lies in its hands-off approach. No need to constantly monitor an oven, worry about burning, or free up valuable oven space during holiday gatherings. Simply set it and forget it, returning hours later to a warm, bubbling dessert with a perfectly tender apple filling and a delightfully crumbly topping.
This Caramel Apple Crisp is more than just easy; it’s a nostalgic taste of autumn, embodying everything you love about fall comfort food. It’s perfect for family dinners, holiday celebrations, or simply a cozy night in. The slow, gentle cooking process ensures that the apples become incredibly soft without turning mushy, soaking up all the cinnamon and caramel flavors, while the topping develops a pleasant chewiness that is utterly irresistible. Plus, the enticing aroma that fills your home as it cooks is a bonus you won’t want to miss!
Picking the Perfect Apples for Your Crisp
The foundation of any great apple crisp is, naturally, the apples themselves. Choosing the right variety can make all the difference in texture and flavor. For a balance of tartness and sweetness, we recommend a mix of apples. Granny Smith apples are fantastic for their firm texture and tartness, which cuts through the sweetness of the caramel and cake mix topping. For added sweetness and a softer bite, consider Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala apples.
When preparing your apples, make sure to core, peel, and slice them into uniform pieces, about ¼ to ½ inch thick. This ensures they cook evenly and reach that ideal tender consistency. Aim for about 6 medium-sized apples, which should yield approximately 6-8 cups of sliced fruit. Don’t worry if your slices aren’t perfectly identical; a little variety adds character to the final dish!
The Irresistible Flavor of Caramel Apple Crisp
What makes this apple crisp truly stand out is the addition of rich caramel sauce. While traditional apple crisp is wonderful, caramel elevates it to a new level of indulgence. As the apples slowly cook, the caramel sauce melts and mingles with the natural apple juices and cinnamon, creating a warm, sticky, and deeply flavorful base. This sweet and slightly salty undertone perfectly complements the crisp apples and the buttery topping, resulting in a dessert that is both familiar and excitingly decadent.
The caramel sauce doesn’t just add sweetness; it provides a luxurious mouthfeel and a depth of flavor that enhances every bite. It’s a harmonious blend that captures the essence of classic caramel apples in a comforting, spoonable form. This simple ingredient transforms an already delicious crisp into an extraordinary treat that will have everyone asking for seconds.
The Secret to a Simple, Delicious Topping: Yellow Cake Mix
Here’s where the “easy” truly comes into play! Instead of painstakingly mixing flour, oats, and sugars for a traditional crisp topping, this recipe leverages the convenience of yellow cake mix. It’s a brilliant shortcut that doesn’t compromise on flavor or texture. When combined with melted butter, a touch of extra sugar, and ground cinnamon, the cake mix transforms into a wonderfully crumbly, sweet, and aromatic topping.
The butter binds the cake mix and sugar together, creating a rich, almost cookie-like texture as it cooks. The cinnamon in the topping mirrors the spice in the apple layer, tying all the flavors together beautifully. This simple combination bakes into a golden-brown, slightly chewy, and utterly satisfying layer that perfectly contrasts with the soft, caramelized apples below. It’s a foolproof method for achieving a delicious crisp topping every time, making this a go-to recipe for busy days or impromptu dessert cravings.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Crock Pot Caramel Apple Crisp
Creating this delicious slow cooker apple crisp is incredibly straightforward. Follow these steps for perfect results:
- **Preparation is Key:** Begin by generously greasing the inside of your slow cooker. This crucial step prevents sticking and makes cleanup much easier.
- **Layer the Apples:** Arrange your peeled, cored, and sliced apples evenly at the bottom of the slow cooker. Distribute them to ensure even cooking.
- **Caramel Indulgence:** Drizzle the caramel sauce over the apples. You want good coverage, so the caramel can seep down and coat all the apple slices as they cook.
- **Craft the Topping:** In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, additional white sugar, and ground cinnamon. Use a fork or your fingers to mix these ingredients until they are well combined and resemble coarse crumbs.
- **Apply the Topping:** Evenly spread the cake mix topping mixture over the caramel-coated apples in the slow cooker. Make sure the apples are fully covered to get that wonderful crumbly crust.
- **Initial Cook Time:** Secure the lid on your slow cooker and cook on the HIGH setting for 2 hours. This initial cooking phase allows the apples to soften and the flavors to meld beautifully.
- **Crisping Phase:** After 2 hours, carefully remove the lid. This allows excess moisture to escape and helps the topping to crisp up. Continue cooking uncovered on HIGH for an additional 30 minutes. Keep an eye on it during this phase to ensure the topping reaches your desired level of crispness without burning.
- **Serve Warm:** Once done, your Crock Pot Caramel Apple Crisp will be bubbling and fragrant. Carefully spoon it out and get ready to enjoy!
Serving Suggestions for Your Warm Apple Crisp
While this Crock Pot Caramel Apple Crisp is utterly delicious on its own, it truly shines with a few simple additions. The classic pairing of a warm crisp with a cold topping creates a delightful contrast in temperatures and textures. Here are some of our favorite serving suggestions:
- **Vanilla Ice Cream:** A scoop (or two!) of high-quality vanilla bean ice cream is a timeless choice, melting into the warm crisp for a creamy, dreamy experience.
- **Whipped Cream:** A generous dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a light, airy sweetness that complements the rich caramel and apples.
- **Extra Caramel Drizzle:** For the ultimate caramel lover, a final swirl of warm caramel sauce over the top before serving adds an extra layer of decadence.
- **Toasted Nuts:** A sprinkle of toasted pecans or walnuts can add a pleasant crunch and nutty flavor, enhancing the overall profile.
- **A Touch of Salt:** A tiny pinch of flaky sea salt sprinkled over the crisp and caramel can beautifully enhance all the sweet flavors.
- **Greek Yogurt:** For a slightly healthier (and tangier!) alternative, a dollop of plain Greek yogurt can provide a refreshing contrast.
Creative Variations & Customizations
One of the best things about apple crisp is its versatility. Feel free to get creative and customize this recipe to your taste preferences!
- **Nutty Crunch:** Add ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to your cake mix topping for an extra layer of crunch and nutty flavor.
- **Spice it Up:** Enhance the fall spice profile by adding a pinch of nutmeg, allspice, or ginger to both the apple mixture and the topping.
- **Fruity Additions:** Stir in a handful of dried cranberries, raisins, or even chopped dried apricots with the apples for added texture and fruity notes.
- **Salted Caramel Delight:** Use a salted caramel sauce or sprinkle a tiny bit of sea salt over the apples before adding the topping to emphasize the salted caramel flavor.
- **Gluten-Free Option:** Easily adapt this recipe for dietary needs by using a certified gluten-free yellow cake mix. Ensure all other ingredients are also gluten-free if necessary.
- **Dairy-Free Option:** For a dairy-free version, substitute the butter in the topping with a plant-based butter alternative.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Apple Crisp
If you’re lucky enough to have any leftovers of this delicious Crock Pot Caramel Apple Crisp, storing them properly will ensure they remain enjoyable for days. Allow the crisp to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
When you’re ready to enjoy it again, reheating is simple. For individual servings, a quick zap in the microwave for 30-60 seconds will warm it through. For a crispier topping, or to reheat a larger portion, transfer it to an oven-safe dish and warm in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through and the topping is lightly re-crisped. You can also use your slow cooker on the “warm” setting for about an hour, though this may not make the topping as crispy.
Common Questions & Troubleshooting Tips
Even with an easy recipe like this, a few questions might pop up. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions and tips for common troubleshooting scenarios:
- **Q: Can I use homemade caramel sauce?**
A: Absolutely! If you have a favorite homemade caramel recipe, it will make this crisp even more special. Just ensure it’s a pourable consistency. - **Q: What if I don’t have yellow cake mix?**
A: While yellow cake mix is recommended for ease and flavor, you can substitute it with a simple crisp topping made from 1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup packed brown sugar, ½ cup rolled oats, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and ½ cup cold butter, cut into pieces. Mix until crumbly. - **Q: How to prevent a watery crisp?**
A: Ensuring your apples are peeled and sliced uniformly helps. The final 30 minutes of cooking uncovered also allows excess moisture to evaporate, preventing a watery bottom. Some apple varieties release more water than others; if you find it consistently watery, try adding a tablespoon of cornstarch or flour tossed with the apples before adding caramel. - **Q: Can I make it ahead of time?**
A: You can prepare the apple and caramel layer the night before and store it in the slow cooker insert in the refrigerator. Mix the topping ingredients separately and store them in an airtight container. Assemble and cook fresh on the day of serving. - **Q: My topping isn’t crispy enough, what should I do?**
A: The slow cooker won’t produce an extremely crunchy topping like an oven might. However, the 30 minutes uncovered helps. For extra crispiness, you can transfer the cooked crisp to an oven-safe dish and broil it for 2-3 minutes (watch carefully!) after it’s done in the slow cooker.
More Easy Crock Pot Recipes to Explore
The slow cooker is a versatile kitchen powerhouse, capable of so much more than just a quick dessert. We’re on a mission to bring you at least one new crockpot recipe a week, so keep an eye out for more deliciousness! From savory meals to delightful breakfasts, your slow cooker can handle it all. Here are a few more favorites to inspire your next meal:
- **Hearty Main Courses:** For a comforting dinner, try our Crock Pot Lasagna Recipe, a satisfying Crock Pot Mushroom Pasta Casserole, or our flavorful Crock Pot Cashew Chicken Recipe.
- **Breakfast Delights:** Start your day right with a warm and nourishing Crock Pot Blueberry Oatmeal.
- **Even More Desserts:** If you have a sweet tooth, explore all our apple desserts and a plethora of Yellow Cake Mix Recipes for easy baking.
Discover More Sweet Treats
- No-Bake Hershey Pie
- Mini Banana Fosters
- Pina Colada Poke Cake
- Snow Ice Cream
- Apple Cinnamon Roll Cobbler
We love hearing from you! If you have specific recipe requests, please let us know in the comments below.
Crock Pot Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Crisp Recipe Card
Crock Pot Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Crisp
Deliciously easy slow cooker apple crisp recipe with a rich caramel swirl, perfect for fall family desserts.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 634 kcal
Author: Tammilee Tips
Ingredients
- 6 apples (cored, peeled, sliced)
- ¼ cup Caramel Sauce
- 32 oz yellow cake mix (2 boxes)
- ½ cup Butter (melted)
- ¼ cup White Sugar
- 3 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
Need to adjust units? Consider using a Metric or US Customary conversion tool.
Instructions
- Generously grease the inside of your crock pot.
- Place the sliced apples evenly into the bottom of the crock pot.
- Pour the caramel sauce over the apples, ensuring they are well coated.
- In a separate bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, white sugar, and ground cinnamon. Mix thoroughly until a crumbly topping forms.
- Spread the cake mix topping evenly over the caramel-coated apples in the crock pot.
- Cover the crock pot with its lid and cook on the HIGH setting for 2 hours.
- After 2 hours, carefully remove the lid and continue to cook for an additional 30 minutes on HIGH. This helps the topping to crisp up and allows excess moisture to escape.
- Serve warm with your favorite toppings like vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Kitchen Tools
- Slow cooker (preferably with a digital timer)
- Large mixing bowl
- Spatula or spoon
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Facts
Crock Pot Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Crisp
Amount Per Serving
Calories 634 (Calories from Fat 126)
% Daily Value*
Fat 14g 22%
Saturated Fat 9g 56%
Cholesterol 30mg 10%
Sodium 953mg 41%
Potassium 205mg 6%
Carbohydrates 124g 41%
Fiber 5g 21%
Sugar 69g 77%
Protein 4g 8%
Vitamin A 435IU 9%
Vitamin C 6.3mg 8%
Calcium 264mg 26%
Iron 2.6mg 14%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Recipe originally shared on June 11, 2018. Updated January 2021 for enhanced content and clarity.