A fun twist on classic apple crisp with frosted cookie crumble and warm, gooey apples.

Some afternoons just call for something warm and sweet from the oven. This Circus Animal Apple Crisp turns an ordinary weekday into a treat-worthy moment: soft apples bubbling under a golden cookie crumble, with colorful sprinkles peeking through every bite. It’s the kind of dessert that makes the whole house smell amazing and turns after-school snack time into a mini celebration.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• A bright, colorful, and fun twist on a classic apple dessert.
• Semi-homemade and ready in under an hour.
• Crunchy cookie topping adds texture and sweetness.
• Perfect for kids, parties, or themed movie nights.
• Pairs perfectly with vanilla or birthday cake ice cream.
• Fun way to use up leftover cookies.

Ingredient Notes

• Apples: Use a mix like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith for the best balance of tart and sweet.
• Mother’s Circus Animal cookies: The frosted kind with sprinkles; crush half for the topping and save whole ones for garnish.
• Rolled oats: Traditional or quick oats both work fine.
• Milk: Adds moisture to help the cookie crumble come together.
• Butter: Salted butter gives that bakery-style richness.

Before You Bake

How finely should I crush the cookies?
Aim for small chunks, about the size of pea gravel, so they melt slightly into the topping but still keep a few crunchy bits.

Can I prep this ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the filling and topping separately, refrigerate both, then combine and bake when ready.

What’s the best way to serve it?
Serve it warm right out of the oven with a scoop of vanilla or birthday cake ice cream. The contrast of hot apples and melting ice cream is perfection.

Circus Animal Apple Crisp

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• Author: Taryn Camp

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups chopped apples
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch

Topping

• ¾ cup rolled oats
• ½ cup finely crushed Mother’s Frosted Circus Animal Cookies
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 10–12 whole Mother’s Frosted Circus Animal Cookies, for topping

For Serving

• Vanilla or birthday cake ice cream

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease an 8-inch square baking dish.
2. In the dish, toss the chopped apples with sugar and cornstarch until coated.
3. In a medium bowl, combine oats, crushed cookies, cinnamon, salt, melted butter, and milk. Stir until the mixture is crumbly and evenly moistened.
4. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples.
5. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the fruit is bubbling and the topping turns light golden.
6. Press whole Circus Animal cookies gently onto the warm crisp right after removing it from the oven. They’ll stay crunchy and add that signature frosted finish.
7. Serve warm with scoops of vanilla or birthday cake ice cream.

FAQ

Can I use canned pie filling?
You can, but fresh apples taste better and hold up beautifully under the cookie topping.

Can I make this gluten-free?
Use gluten-free cookies and oats; the rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

What other cookies work?
Try frosted animal crackers, vanilla wafers, or even sugar cookies for different flavors.

How do I reheat leftovers?
Warm individual servings in the microwave for 20–30 seconds or reheat the whole dish in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes.

Can I double this recipe?
Yes! Use a 9×13 pan and bake 5–10 minutes longer, watching for that golden topping.

Sprinkle of Fun

Serve it as a surprise after-school snack on a chilly day. The oven will fill the kitchen with a sweet, cookie-apple aroma while everyone unwinds from the day. Add a scoop of ice cream and let it melt just enough to mix with the warm crisp—it’s comfort in dessert form.