A Warm Embrace in Every Bite: Mrs. Mayfair's Apple Crisp with Honey-Vanilla Crème Fraîche

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, there’s nothing more inviting than the aroma of baked apples and spices wafting through the home. This Apple Crisp, perfected in Mrs. Mayfair's kitchen, embodies the comforting flavors of fall. With tart baking apples, dried sour cherries, and fresh cranberries, each bite is a harmony of sweet and tart that brings warmth to any gathering.

What makes this crisp extraordinary is the beautiful layering of flavors and textures. The topping, a blend of oats, brown sugar, and chilled butter, crisps up to golden perfection, adding a delightful crunch to complement the tender fruit below. To elevate this autumnal dessert even further, a homemade Honey-Vanilla Crème Fraîche provides a luxurious, tangy-sweet creaminess that rounds out each bite.

Why This Apple Crisp Deserves a Place on Your Table

This apple crisp is more than just a dessert; it's a tribute to the bounty of fall. The interplay between tart apples, vibrant cranberries, and the warmth of cinnamon and cloves creates a dessert that feels both rustic and refined. Mrs. Mayfair’s recipe captures the essence of the season, making it the perfect close to a cozy family dinner or a festive holiday gathering.

How to Serve It Beautifully

For a presentation as elegant as it is welcoming, serve this crisp warm from the oven in shallow bowls, topped with a dollop of Honey-Vanilla Crème Fraîche. The crème fraîche, infused with delicate notes of honey and vanilla, adds an exquisite finishing touch. To elevate it even further, consider a sprinkle of dried cranberries or a dusting of powdered sugar over each serving.

Mrs. Mayfair's Apple Crisp Recipe

Ingredients:

• 16 tart baking apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
• ¼ pound dried sour cherries, pitted
• 12 ounces fresh cranberries
• 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• Grated rind of 1 lemon

Topping:

• 1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
• 1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
• 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 12 tablespoons (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, very cold and cut into small pieces

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a large bowl, combine the filling ingredients; toss well to coat. Mound the mixture in a deep, buttered 10-inch round baking dish.
3. In a food processor, combine the topping ingredients and process until it resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the fruit filling.
4. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender. Serve warm with a generous dollop of Honey-Vanilla Crème Fraîche.

Honey-Vanilla Crème Fraîche

This luxurious crème fraîche, with a hint of honey and vanilla, is the perfect complement to the warmth and richness of the apple crisp.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups crème fraîche (see instructions for homemade crème fraîche below if desired)
• 1 vanilla bean
• ⅓ cup honey
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Make the crème fraîche and chill for 24 hours, until thickened.
2. Cut the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Discard the pod. Combine the vanilla seeds with the crème fraîche, honey, and vanilla extract; whip until soft peaks form.

Homemade Crème Fraîche To prepare your own crème fraîche, combine 2 cups of heavy cream with 2 tablespoons of buttermilk or sour cream. Cover and let sit at room temperature for 6 to 8 hours until thickened. Chill until ready to use.

This dessert is more than a dish—it’s a celebration of the season. With each spoonful, enjoy the harmony of tart fruit, warming spices, and the silky sweetness of the honey-vanilla cream. Let Mrs. Mayfair’s Apple Crisp bring warmth, joy, and a sense of seasonal tradition to your table this fall.