Bourbon Apple Crisp with Salted Caramel & Toasted Marshmallow

Our Bourbon Apple Crisp with Salted Caramel & Toasted Marshmallow is the dessert that will keep you coming back for more.

Using butter, Granny Smith apples, and a dab or two of bourbon, this apple crisp dessert is mixed with flavors you cannot resist.

Get the recipe below! 

Bourbon Apple Crisp with Salted Caramel & Toasted Marshmallow

Years ago, I was throwing my wife a surprise birthday party. From an earlier conversation, she had mentioned that instead of a traditional birthday cake, she wanted me to prepare one of her favorite comfort food desserts. This particular birthday was a big deal; it was her 30th.

It is an important milestone, to say the least. I was up early the morning of her birthday and had scheduled a spa day for her, including a mani-pedi. 

If you love apple crisp as much as we do, check out our delicious recipe below. We think you’ll love it!

Ingredients for making Apple Crisp:

Apple Mixture: 

• 4 Granny Smith Apples peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 4 Honeycrisp Apples peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Juice of 1 navel orange
• 1 Tablespoon Lemon Zest
• 1 Tablespoon Orange Zest
• 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1/3 Tablespoon Apple Pie Spice
• 3 tablespoons of bourbon (this can be optional)

Apple Crisp Topping:

• 1 1/2 cup of Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
• 1 1/2 cups of All-Purpose Flour
• 1/2 cup Light Brown Sugar
• 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 tablespoon of Apple Pie Spice
• 1 teaspoon of Ground Cloves
• 1 Tablespoon Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 Teaspoon of Kosher salt
• 1 Stick of unsalted butter, frozen and grated (we used KerryGold’s Butter)
• 1/2 Stick (4 tablespoons) butter, melted

Additional Toppings:

• Marshmallow Creme
• Salted Caramel Sauce

**The Secret Whiskey Recipe**:

• 5 oz Honey Whiskey
• 2 1/2 oz Spiced Apple Cider
• 3 tablespoons Apple Sauce

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, add Honey Whiskey, spiced apple cider, and applesauce.
2. Mix thoroughly with a wire whisk and set aside. 

Tell no one.

Directions on making the Bourbon Apple Crisp

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice, orange juice, lemon zest, orange zest, sugar, apple pie spice, and bourbon. Spoon the mixture into 6–8 individual oven-safe bowls (or one large baking dish).

Bake uncovered for 15 minutes.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, apple pie spice, ground cloves, vanilla, salt, and the grated frozen butter. Mix on medium until crumbly.

In a large skillet, melt the remaining ½ stick of butter over medium-high heat. Add the crumble mixture, ½ cup at a time, stirring constantly until golden and clumped.

Remove the apples from the oven. Spoon the crisp topping generously over the apples. Return to the oven and bake for 25 minutes.

Add the Secret Whiskey Sauce. While the crisp bakes, whisk together the Honey whiskey, apple cider, and applesauce mixture until smooth. At the 25-minute mark, remove the apple crisp, drizzle 1 ounce of sauce over each bowl, then return to the oven.

Bake another 20–25 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and bubbling.

Remove from the oven. Spread 2 tablespoons of marshmallow crème on each serving and broil on the top rack for 1–2 minutes, until toasted. Drizzle with salted caramel sauce.

Serve. Let cool slightly before digging in.

Can I Make This Recipe Without Bourbon or Whiskey?

Yes! You can leave out the bourbon and Secret Whiskey Sauce.

Add an extra splash of apple cider or orange juice in place of the bourbon to keep the flavor bright.

Can I Make This Apple Crisp Ahead of Time?

Yes, but with a twist. Bake the apple filling and topping separately, then assemble and finish baking just before serving.

This keeps the topping crisp, rather than soggy.

What Apples Work Best for Apple Crisp?

We used a mix of Granny Smith (tart) and Honeycrisp (sweet) for balance.

You can also use Pink Lady, Braeburn, or Fuji—just make sure to combine a tart variety with a sweet one for depth of flavor.

Do I Have to Use Individual Bowls?

Nope! A single 9×13-inch baking dish works just as well.

Please note that the baking time may be slightly longer.

Can I Skip the Marshmallow Crème?

Of course. The marshmallow layer is an indulgent twist, but if you prefer a more classic apple crisp, you can omit it and simply finish with salted caramel sauce.

Bourbon Apple Crisp with Salted Caramel & Toasted Marshmallow

Our Bourbon Apple Crisp with Salted Caramel & Toasted Marshmallow is the dessert that will keep you coming back for more. Using butter, Granny Smith apples, and a dab or two of bourbon, this apple crisp dessert is mixed with flavors you cannot resist.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Desserts

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6 servings

Author: D. Durand Worthey

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Ingredients

 

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Apple Mixture

• 4 Granny Smith Apples peeled cored, and thinly sliced
• 4 Honeycrisp Apples peeled cored, and thinly sliced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Juice of 1 navel orange
• 1 Tablespoon Lemon Zest
• 1 Tablespoon Orange Zest
• 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1/3 Tablespoon Apple Pie Spice
• 3 tablespoons of bourbon this can be optional

Apple Crisp Topping:

• 1 1/2 cup of Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
• 1 1/2 cups of All-Purpose Flour
• 1/2 cup Light Brown Sugar
• 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 tablespoon of Apple Pie Spice
• 1 teaspoon of Ground Cloves
• 1 Tablespoon Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 Teaspoon of Kosher salt
• 1 Stick of unsalted butter frozen and grated (we used KerryGold's Butter)
• 1/2 Stick 4 tablespoons butter, melted

**The Secret Whiskey Recipe**:

• 5 oz Honey Whiskey
• 2 1/2 oz Spiced Apple Cider
• 3 tablespoons Apple Sauce

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice, orange juice, lemon zest, orange zest, sugar, apple pie spice, and bourbon. Spoon the mixture into 6–8 individual oven-safe bowls (or one large baking dish).
• Bake uncovered for 15 minutes.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, apple pie spice, ground cloves, vanilla, salt, and the grated frozen butter. Mix on medium until crumbly.
• In a large skillet, melt the remaining ½ stick of butter over medium-high heat. Add the crumble mixture, ½ cup at a time, stirring constantly until golden and clumped.
• Remove the apples from the oven. Spoon the crisp topping generously over the apples. Return to the oven and bake for 25 minutes.
• Add the Secret Whiskey Sauce. While the crisp bakes, whisk together the Honey whiskey, apple cider, and applesauce mixture until smooth. At the 25-minute mark, remove the apple crisp, drizzle 1 ounce of sauce over each bowl, then return to the oven.
• Bake another 20–25 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and bubbling.
• Remove from the oven. Spread 2 tablespoons of marshmallow crème on each serving and broil on the top rack for 1–2 minutes, until toasted. Drizzle with salted caramel sauce.
• Serve. Let cool slightly before digging in.

Tried this recipe?Mention @thiswortheylife or tag #thiswortheylife!

Find more comfort desserts below:

Popcorn S’mores Brownie Dessert

Apple Crisp Funnel Cake

Cupcake Brownie Funnel Cake

Caramel Apple Coffee Cake

Caramel Apple Cupcakes

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Created 2/2017 | Updated 9/2025