Hey there, fellow dessert enthusiasts! Lately, I’ve been on a real apple crisp kick—it's just so comforting and delicious, especially on a chilly evening. But, I wanted to give it a fun, modern twist. That's how I came up with these amazing apple crisp parfaits! They're a perfect blend of warm, spiced apples and creamy vanilla bean ice cream – truly a taste of heaven!

These parfaits are incredibly easy to make—perfect for a cozy weekend treat or an impressive dessert for a dinner party. I even made a batch for my friend’s birthday, and they were a huge hit! I'm serious; my friend is a total foodie and has a really refined palate—and even she loved these! They're also incredibly versatile; you can easily customize them to your liking. The recipe below provides a solid base, but don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of apples or add-ins like nuts or dried cranberries.

Apple Crisp Parfaits with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Name: Apple-Crisp-Parfaits-with-Vanilla-Bean-Ice-Cream
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Fall
Ingredients: 6 cups Apples (peeled and sliced); 1/2 cup Granulated sugar; 1/4 cup Brown sugar; 2 teaspoons Ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon Ground nutmeg; 1 cup All-purpose flour; 1/2 cup Rolled oats; 1/2 cup Packed light brown sugar; 1/4 teaspoon Salt; 1/2 cup Cold unsalted butter; 1 cup Vanilla bean ice cream

This recipe combines the classic comfort of apple crisp with the refreshing delight of vanilla bean ice cream, resulting in a layered dessert parfait that’s both simple and elegant.

⏳ Yield & Time

Yield: 2 servings

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

📖 Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This is crucial for getting that perfect golden-brown topping. Don't skip this step!
In a large mixing bowl, combine 6 cups peeled and sliced apples (about 6 medium apples) with 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg. Gently toss everything together until the apples are evenly coated. Mmm, that smells amazing already!
In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces. Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. If you don't have a pastry blender, don't worry—your fingers work perfectly well!
Pour the apple mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the apples. Make sure you get nice, even coverage. This is what will give you that perfect crispy topping!
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender. Keep an eye on it—ovens can vary, so you might need to adjust the baking time a bit. If the top starts to brown too quickly, tent it loosely with foil for the remaining baking time.
Let the apple crisp cool completely before assembling the parfaits. This is important to prevent the ice cream from melting too quickly.
To assemble the parfaits, layer the apple crisp and vanilla bean ice cream in individual glasses or bowls. Start with a layer of crisp, then scoop on some ice cream, and repeat until your glass is full. Get creative and have fun with it!
Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream or extra cinnamon, and a sprinkle of chopped pecans for an extra touch of deliciousness. Sometimes, the simplest things are the best!

📝 Notes

For extra flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the apple mixture. For a richer flavor, use a combination of sweet and tart apples.
Feel free to customize this recipe to your liking. Add nuts, dried cranberries, or other desired ingredients.