Baked Bourbon Apple Crisp

The Original Cold Smoked Salt and Pepper Co.

One of the best desserts to share with family and friends is Baked Bourbon Apple Crisp. It is a sure fire way to end any meal with smiles and pure satisfaction. We have made this dessert many times with different family and friends with different tastes, but all have raved about this dessert. 

The prep time can take up to an hour depending if you have some extra hands around that are willing to pitch in and peel some apples. That is the most extensive part of the prep for this dessert, but getting the family and friends involved in this meal can also add some extra fun and great memories that all will share in the years to come. 

Now before we get into the nuts and bolts of this dessert creation please note there are two different ways going about cooking this dessert. One option is baking it in the oven for one hour at 350 degrees. The other option is smoking it on the hot smoker for one hour at 350 degrees. Both come out with great results that you will not be disappointed of. However, if you desire that over the campfire smell and taste the hot smoker is a great option. Feel free to use either a cherry, pecan, or apple wood pellets. The choice is ultimately up to you and your preference of taste. If you want to up the level of flavor we recommend trying whisky wood pellets. The unique flavor profile with the bourbon apple crips just takes things to the next level. 

The preparation of this meal is key to the success of a delicious dessert. So prepare ahead and give yourself enough time to cook this dessert. The only thing we have always done is to get the Apple Bourbon Crisp all prepped and ready to go just before dinner. Once you get ready to serve dinner we place the apple crisp in the oven or hot smoker. By the time you finish dinner the dessert is just about done and as you give it some time to cool down once out of the oven or hot smoker your guests will be more than ready to dive into this tasty dessert. 

Here are the list of ingredients you will need to for this amazing dessert.

1. Brown Sugar
2. Flour
3. Old Fashioned Oats
4. Cinnamon
5. 1 1/2 Sticks of salted butter
6. 3 pounds of Granny Smith or Honey Crisp Apples
7. Honey
8. Bourbon (of your choice) (Try a caramel flavored whiskey or bourbon)
9. Lemon Juice
10. Vanilla
11. The Original Cold Smoked Whiskey Smoked Sea Salt (Fine)
12. Cast Iron Skillet

To get things started you need to take a half stick of salted butter and season a 12 inch cast iron skillet. Make sure you throughly coat the entire skillet including the sides all the way to the top edge. If you fail to do so the apples will stick to the bottom and sides and it will not serve as easy and clean up will be a pain. This is also a good time to preheat the oven or smoker to 350 degrees. 

Second, you want to begin to mix the topping of the Bourbon Apple Crisp. In a small to medium sized bowl combine the following and mix throughly. 

1. 1 Cup of brown sugar, firmly packed
2. 1/2 Cup flour
3. 1/2 Cup of old fashioned oats. 
4. 1 1/2 Teaspoon ground cinnamon
5. 8 Tablespoon (1 Stick) cold salted butter, cut into 1/4 cubes. 

Use a wooden spoon and fork to mix the topping as best as you can. It will be semi clumpy once mixed because the butter is still solid. That is okay and set the topping aside for now. 

Now that the topping is made you will need to make the filling. In a small to medium sized bowl place the following ingredients.

1. 1/2 Cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2. 1/4 Cup honey
3. 2 1/2 Tablespoon Bourbon (Try a caramel flavored whiskey or bourbon)
4. 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
5. 1 1/2 Teaspoon ground cinnamon
6. 1 Teaspoon vanilla
7. 1/2 Teaspoon of Whiskey Smoked Sea Salt

Use a fork or whisk to thoroughly mix the ingredients where there is no longer any clumps. Set aside with the topping for the time being.

The fun part and the most time consuming is coring and peeling the Granny Smith or Honey Crisp Apples. The flavor is up to you, but may we recommend Granny Smith apples for this bourbon crisp. The tartness of granny smith apples pairs well with the sweetness of bourbon. If you have some family around feel free to bring them in on the peeling action and let the fun begin. Make sure the slice the apples from 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Too thin will cause the apples to become mushy. Place the sliced apples in a large bowl. 

Once you have all the apples peeled and in the large bowl take the filling that you have already made and pour it into the apples. We recommend to not pour all of it at once. Pour half of it over the top first. Stir the apples throughly and then pour the rest of the filing and stir again. Make sure that all the apples are coated completely. 

Take the apples and pour them into the 12 inch seasoned skillet. Then take the topping, which should be clumpy, and use your hands to break the clumps over the apples making sure to coat the top evenly. 

Place the skillet into the oven or smoker at 350 degrees and set a timer for 1 hour. If you have decided to place the skillet in the oven, we would recommend placing it on a cookie sheet. It is possible for the juices to simmer over the edge of the skillet which can cause quite the mess in your oven. Take our word for it. 

When you hit the one hour mark, remove the skillet from the oven or smoker and place it on a hot pad. Let it sit for about 15 minutes. The Bourbon Apple Crisp will be extremely hot when taken straight out of the oven or smoker. In the meantime, take a moment to step back and admire your work of culinary art. While it is cooling, it’s time to get out the vanilla ice cream, spoons and bowls to start serving. Begin to dish those sweet portions of Baked Bourbon Apple Crisp into a bowl and dish a good helping of vanilla ice cream on top. 

The last step is to sit down, revel in the enjoyment of those around you, and watch the awakening of delight come upon their faces as your family, friends and guests savor every bite of your dessert creation. The Baked Bourbon Apple Crisp will now become a staple in your dessert repertoire.