My First Apple Crisp Recipe & Baking Story

 Sometimes the craving for something sweet hits you out of nowhere, and the kitchen has nothing exciting to offer. A few days back, I was in exactly that mood. I wanted dessert, but there was no mithai, no cake, nothing. So I decided to make something simple, using only the ingredients we usually have at home – an apple crisp.

I had never made an apple crisp before, but the idea of warm cinnamon apples with a crunchy topping felt comforting. The preparation part was actually quite easy and even a little therapeutic. Chopping the apples, mixing them with brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice, then bringing together the crumbly topping – it all came together beautifully. At that point, I was fully confident.

Then came the baking.

Since I was using the microwave, I wasn’t very sure about the exact timing. I started by baking it for 3 minutes, then added another 3 minutes. When I took it out, the top looked fine, but there was a problem I hadn’t expected – the bowl. The dish I used was a bit too thin, and it ended up burning the entire bottom. The apples were overcooked, and the crisp layer tasted charred.

But, as always, I didn’t want to give up just because of one small disaster.

I decided to try again, this time changing only one thing – the bowl. I used a sturdier, microwave-safe dish and followed the same recipe again. And this time, it turned out so much better.

When I took the first bite, I was honestly surprised. I had assumed it would be too sweet, but it had just the right balance for my taste. The top layer was beautifully crisp, and underneath it came that warm, sweet-and-sour mix of apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. I paired it with vanilla ice cream, and it honestly hit all the right spots on my taste buds.

My mother tried it too, and she really liked the balance of sweetness and tang, along with the texture of the crisp layer. For a dessert that started with a mistake and a burnt bowl, it turned into something I would happily make again.

It reminded me of one thing I keep learning again and again in the kitchen: sometimes the first attempt doesn’t work out, but if you’re willing to try once more, the result can be much sweeter than you expected.

Easy Apple Crisp (Microwave or Oven)

Recipe by Vatsala · Beginner Friendly · Comfort Dessert

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10–20 min Serves: 2–3

Apple Filling

• 2 medium apples, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp cinnamon powder
• ½ tsp cornflour (optional, for thickness)
• Pinch of salt

Crisp Topping

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 3 tbsp oats
• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp cold butter or ghee
• ¼ tsp cinnamon powder
• Pinch of salt

Tip: Use a sturdy, microwave-safe or oven-safe ceramic or glass dish. Thin bowls can burn the bottom quickly.

Method

1. Prepare the apples: In a bowl, mix sliced apples with brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, cornflour (if using), and a pinch of salt. Spread evenly in your baking or microwave-safe dish.
2. Make the topping: In another bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Rub in cold butter or ghee with your fingertips until it looks crumbly.
3. Assemble: Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the apples. Do not press it down too firmly.
4. Microwave method: Microwave uncovered for 3 minutes. Check and microwave again for 2–3 minutes until apples are soft and the top is lightly crisp. Adjust time as needed depending on your microwave.
5. Oven method: Bake at 180°C for 18–20 minutes until the top is golden and the apples are bubbling.
6. Rest and serve: Let it sit for 3–4 minutes. Serve warm, ideally with vanilla ice cream.

Taste note: The top should be crisp, with a warm sweet-tangy apple layer underneath. Adjust sugar to your liking if you prefer it sweeter.

Keywords: apple crisp, microwave apple crisp, easy apple dessert, beginner baking, comfort dessert, apple crumble without oven