Allison Robicelli's Gingersnap Apple Crisp with Cream Cheese and Walnuts for THE ULTIMATE FRIENDSGIVING/12 DAYS OF COOKIES/LAST-MINUTE SIDES, as seen on Food Network
Recipe courtesy of Allison Robicelli

Gingersnap Apple Crisp with Cream Cheese and Walnuts

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  • Level: Easy
  • Total: 9 hr (includes maceration time)
  • Active: 30 min
  • Yield: 12 to 16 servings
Crisps are far easier to make than pies, but just as flavorful. Macerating the apples in sugar overnight helps them keep some of their crispness in the oven and concentrates their flavor. Toasted walnuts and gooey cream cheese add an element of surprise, and an easy crust made from fall's favorite cookie will make your guests wonder why they ever bothered with pie at all.

Ingredients

Crisp:

Topping:

Directions

  1. For the crisp: Peel and core the apples. Roughly chop into 1-inch chunks and toss with the sugar in a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 8 hours or up to overnight.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 13-by-9-inch or 2-quart baking dish.
  3. Drain the apples from their liquid and return the apples to the bowl. Add the cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, cloves and ginger and toss well. Using a rubber spatula, mix in the walnuts, maple syrup and half the cream cheese. Spread evenly in the prepared baking dish, then dot the mixture with the remaining cream cheese.
  4. For the topping: Mix together the crushed gingersnaps, oats, sugar and melted butter. Spread the topping evenly across the crisp and bake until bubbly, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature with ice cream.