Hangry in Maine

Move over pumpkin spice latte, there’s a new basic bitch fall obsession in town, and her name is Masala Chai Apple Crisp. She is warm, cozy, and boujee enough to make you feel like you’re treating yourself, but also rustic enough to still be acceptable in stretchy pants.

Let’s talk flavors: we’re hitting the apples with brown sugar, butter, a touch of ginger salt, and a splash of vanilla balsamic. Do you need the balsamic? Technically, no. But will it make your apples taste brighter, the butter taste richer, and the whole thing feel like you actually know what you’re doing in the kitchen? 10000% Yes. Think of it as the contour on your fall makeup look, you don’t have to use it, but damn, it makes a difference.

The topping? Buttery, oaty, crunchy perfection. Bonus points if you sprinkle on a little demerara sugar for that extra fancy sparkle, crunch & caramelly flavor. Because we all know that apple crisp is basically apple pie’s low maintenance cousin who shows up to Thanksgiving in leggings, but still manages to steal the spotlight.

But wait, we’re not stopping there. We’re crowning this crisp with an espresso chai whipped cream, think a dirty apple chai moment in dessert form. And if you’re wondering what the hell a dirty chai is, it’s just a chai latte with a shot or two of espresso. It’s a chai that decided that it’s exhausted and wants to feel alive…which is totally relatable.

The flavors of warm, spiced apples + masala chai + espresso = fall dessert royalty. And honestly? That basic bitch PSL should be shaking right now.

For the spice situation, I buy my masala chai blend from SKORDO, a little shop in Maine that keeps me stocked up on all sorts of delicious and unique spices and blends. Afraid of commitment and don’t want to buy a spice blend without trying it first? Don’t worry, you can DIY your own blend at home:

• Cinnamon
• Cardamom
• Ginger
• Cloves
• Nutmeg
• Fennel
• Star Anise
• Black Pepper

Mix those bad boys up together, and you’ve got a homemade masala chai blend ready to make your kitchen smell like fall just punched you in the face (in the absolute best way possible).

So, here’s the vibe: grab your apples, whip up that crisp, top it with espresso chai whipped cream, and live your best life this fall. Bonus points if you enjoy it outside in a flannel, pretending you’re in a Hallmark movie. Just don’t trip over your obnoxious porch pumpkins.

What You’ll Need

• A baking pan (either an 8 X 8 or 9 X 13, or whatever the heck you want to use)
• 3 mixing bowls
• Measuring cups & spoons
• A hand mixer or stand mixer
• An oven
  For the Apple Mixture
• 6 Big Apples-peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
  • I used Zester apples, because they were in season and the perfect combination of sweet & tart
• 2 TBSP Brown Sugar
• 1-1/2 tsp Masala Chai Spice
• 1/4 tsp ginger salt (or regular salt)
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
• 2 TBSP unsalted butter, finely cubed
• Optional: 1 tsp vanilla dark balsamic (or lemon juice)
  For the Crisp Topping
• 1 cup AP Flour
• 1-1/2 cups Rolled Oats
• 1-1/2 cups Brown Sugar
• 1-1/2 tsp Masala Chai Spice
• 1/4 tsp Vanilla Salt (or regular salt)
• 1-1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, cold & cubed
• Optional: a sprinkle or 2 of demerara sugar
  For the Espresso Chai Whipped Cream
• 1 cup Heavy Cream
• 2 TBSP Powdered Sugar
• 1 tsp Instant Espresso Powder
• 1/2 tsp Masala Chai Powder

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and move your rack to the center. Grease your baking dish and set aside.
2. Prep the apples.
   Peel, core, and slice the apples into 1/4 inch thick slices. Toss them with brown sugar, masala chai spice, ginger salt, vanilla bean paste, and vanilla dark balsamic. Spread evenly in your greased pan, and sprinkle your little pieces of butter all over the top.
3. Make the topping
   Mix the flour, oats, brown sugar, masala chai spice, and vanilla salt. Mix well. Cut your stick of butter into small cubes, add cubes into your oat mixture and use your hands or a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the mixture until it turns into a crumbly mess of joy. Cover those apples in a thick blanket of buttery, crumbly, crisp topping…like you’re tucking them in for a nice, warm nap. Sprinkle with demerara sugar, if you would like.
4. Bake for 40-45 minutes
   Until the top is golden brown and the apples are bubbling and tender.
5. Make the Whipped Cream
   In a chilled mixing bowl, combine the heavy cream, powdered sugar, espresso powder, and masala chai spice. Whip with a hand mixer until soft peaks form. Taste test & adjust by adding more sugar, masala chai spice, or espresso powder, to your preference.
6. Cool slightly, then serve
   Cool for 10-15 minutes, you want to serve this still warm. Dollop generously with your dirty chai whipped cream or whatever you would prefer.
   

Why I’ll Never Shut Up About Apples

It’s apple picking season now, which basically means that I am legally obligated to turn into that girl with too many tote bags and not enough self control at the orchard. It is my favorite time of year, full of delicious flavors and seasonal produce. Case in point: I’ve already shared my mom’s classic apple crisp recipe (hi mom, your crisp still slaps, please make some soon!), and I’ve got even more apple magic coming your way. Look out for a maple bourbon apple galette, apple blondies, and an iconic apple custard pie that will come with a disgustingly adorable date story….Basically, I will never run out of apple recipes, because I will never stop panic picking way too many apples every fall. And honestly? I’m not even sorry about it…apples are versatile, cozy, and literally never miss.

Final Thoughts

This Masala Chai Spiced Apple Crisp with Espresso Chai Whipped Cream is the epitome of fall…it’s warm, cozy, and comforting. The PSL will always have its cult following, but I think this dirty chai apple crisp has the potential to become a new main character.

So go forth, bake this, and let your kitchen smell like a Yankee Candle factory exploded…just without the price tag and the risk of buying a candle called “Crisp Autumn Breeze” that actually smells like Axe Body spray and bad decisions.