Name: Apple-Cranberry Crisp with Polenta Streusel Topping
Yield: Makes 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon aniseed; 1 1/2 cups pastry flour; 3/4 cup polenta (coarse cornmeal)*; 1/2 cup sugar; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes; 1 large egg, beaten to blend; 2 cups fresh cranberries; 2/3 cup sugar; 2/3 cup (packed) golden brown sugar; 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon peel; 1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated orange peel; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 2 pounds Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, cut into 1-inch cubes; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; Vanilla gelato or ice cream

Applecranberry crisp with a polenta streusel topping in a white oval baking dish.

Photo by Kana Okada

The fragrant spices in this apple crisp are pure Christmas, and the cornmeal in the topping adds a rustic touch.

Recipe information

Yield
Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

Topping:

1 teaspoon aniseed

1 1/2 cups pastry flour

3/4 cup polenta (coarse cornmeal)*

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 large egg, beaten to blend

Filling:

2 cups fresh cranberries

2/3 cup sugar

2/3 cup (packed) golden brown sugar

2 teaspoons finely grated lemon peel

1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated orange peel

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 pounds Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, cut into 1-inch cubes

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Vanilla gelato or ice cream

Preparation

For topping:
Step 1
Toast aniseed in small skillet over medium heat until slightly darker in color, about 3 minutes. Place seeds in processor. Add next 5 ingredients; blend 5 seconds. Add butter; blend, using on/off turns, until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Transfer mixture to large bowl. Drizzle egg over and stir until ingredients are evenly moistened.
For filling:
Step 2
Preheat oven to 375°F. Combine first 8 ingredients in large bowl; stir to blend. Add apples and lemon juice; toss to blend. Transfer filling to 11x7x2- inch glass baking dish (or other shallow 2-quart baking dish).
Step 3
Crumble topping finely over filling. Bake dessert until apples are tender, juices bubble thickly, and topping is crisp and golden, about 1 hour. Cool 15 minutes. Serve crisp warm with gelato.
Step 4
*Sold at some supermarkets and at natural foods stores and Italian markets.

TagsDessert Fruit Dessert Crisp Polenta Rice & Grains Cranberry Berry Fruit Orange Citrus Apple Cinnamon Herbs & Spices Gluten Free Nut Free Vegetarian Make Ahead Baking Food Processor Christmas Winter Bon Appétit

Recipe notes

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Recipe information

Ingredients

Topping:

Filling:

Preparation

For topping:

Step 1

For filling:

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Recipe notes

Our 73 Best Cranberry Recipes

Our 41 Best Cranberry Recipes