Bourbon Rosemary Apple Crisp

Posted on July 29, 2026

This Bourbon Rosemary Apple Crisp is a sophisticated twist on a beloved classic, layering bourbon-kissed tender apples beneath a buttery, oat-crumble topping fragrant with fresh rosemary and bright orange zest. The warm spices of cinnamon and nutmeg mingle with the deep caramel notes of brown sugar for a dessert that feels both rustic and refined. Whether served straight from the oven or crowned with a cloud of whipped cream, this crisp is pure autumn comfort in every spoonful.

Breakfast

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter

3/4 cup heaping flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 pinch nutmeg

1/2 cup rolled oats

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary

1 tablespoon orange zest

3 tablespoons bourbon

5 baking apples, thinly sliced

Instructions

1

Crumble: Cut butter into flour – I like to use my hands and pinch the butter into the flour. It’s 100% OK to have pea sized chunks throughout. Add in sugar, spices, and oats. Sprinkle in rosemary and orange zest. Chill in fridge for 30 minutes.

2

Apples: Toss apple slices with bourbon. Cook in a large skillet for about 10 minutes on low heat. We want to soften the apples a bit as well as let the bourbon reduce. I can’t say I did not sneak a couple bourbon-coated apple slices.

3

Preheat oven to 400F.

4

In an oval dish or individual ramekins or an 8×8 square pan (anything really), layer apples. Sprinkle on crumble – do not press. Bake for 30 minutes, until bubbly.

5

Serve warm or with a dollop of whipped cream

Key Points About Ingredients:

• Baking apples such as Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Braeburn hold their shape and provide the ideal sweet-tart balance when cooked with bourbon.
• Fresh rosemary adds an unexpected herbal, piney note to the crumble that elevates this crisp far beyond the ordinary — do not substitute dried rosemary as it can turn bitter during baking.
• Using cold butter and working it into the flour by hand creates the perfect pea-sized crumble clusters that bake up golden and crunchy on top while staying slightly tender underneath.
• Chilling the crumble for 30 minutes (which can overlap with apple prep and baking preheat time) firms the fat, ensuring distinct crumble pieces rather than a dense, doughy topping.
• Orange zest brightens the entire dish with natural citrus oils, balancing the richness of butter and the smokiness of bourbon without adding liquid.
• Bourbon reduces during the 10-minute stovetop cook, concentrating its vanilla and caramel flavors into the apples while most of the alcohol cooks off.

Key Nutritional Insights:

• Apples are a great source of dietary fiber, particularly pectin, which supports gut health and helps you feel satisfied after a serving.
• Rolled oats contribute beta-glucan soluble fiber, which is associated with supporting healthy cholesterol levels.
• Cinnamon not only adds warm flavor but contains antioxidants and has been studied for its potential role in supporting healthy blood sugar responses.
• This dessert provides a meaningful dose of potassium from the apples, which supports healthy blood pressure and muscle function.
• Using real butter provides fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K2, along with short-chain fatty acids not found in margarine substitutes.
• Rosemary contains rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid, potent antioxidant compounds that add more than just flavor to this dish.

• Nutrition Facts

• Serving Size1
• Amount per serving
• Calories520
• Standard DV% Daily Value*
• Total Fat24 g72 g33.33%
• Saturated Fat14 g20 g70%
• Trans Fat0 g
• Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
• Monounsaturated Fat6 g
• Cholesterol61 mg300 mg20.33%
• Sodium160 mg2300 mg6.96%
• Total Carbohydrate72 g275 g26.18%
• Dietary Fiber5 g28 g17.86%
• Total Sugars44 g
• Added Sugars24 g50 g48%
• Sugar Alcohal0 g
• Protein4 g50 g8%
• Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol)18 mcg20 mcg90%
• Calcium52 mg1300 mg4%
• Iron1.8 mg18 mg10%
• Potassium320 mg4700 mg6.81%
• Vitamin A720 mcg900 mcg80%
• Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)9 mg90 mg10%
• Vitamin E (Tocopherol)1.2 mg15 mg8%
• Vitamin K8 mcg120 mcg6.67%
• Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)0.12 mg1.2 mg10%
• Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.08 mg1.3 mg6.15%
• Vitamin B3 (Niacin)0.9 mg16 mg5.63%
• Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)0.1 mg1.7 mg5.88%
• Folate18 mcg400 mcg4.5%
• Vitamin B12 (Cobalamine)0.04 mcg2.4 mcg1.67%
• Biotin2 mcg30 mcg6.67%
• Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.3 mg5 mg6%
• Choline22 mg550 mg4%
• Phosphorus110 mg1250 mg8.8%
• Iodine4 mcg150 mcg2.67%
• Magnesium28 mg420 mg6.67%
• Zinc0.6 mg11 mg5.45%
• Selenium7 mcg55 mcg12.73%
• Copper0.1 mg0.9 mg11.11%
• Manganese0.7 mg2.3 mg30.43%
• Chromium2 mcg35 mcg5.71%
• Molybdenum8 mcg45 mcg17.78%
• Chloride40 mg2300 mg1.74%
• * The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Click here or PDF icon to open Downloadable PDF file in new tab.

Spread the love