Why this recipe works: Although it’s hard to imagine that apple crisp needs much improving upon, we liked the tartness and texture that cranberries added to one of our favorite standard dessert recipes. Raw cranberries proved too bitter, but we found dried cranberries and cooked fresh berries made cranberry-apple crisp with the best taste and texture. And we used tapioca to thicken the fruit juices instead of cornstarch or flour.

Topping

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces and chilled
• 3/4 cup old fashioned oats

Filling

• 1 lb cranberries, fresh or frozen
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, divided
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 1/2 ounces crystallized ginger, diced fine (about 5 large slices)
• 1/4 cup cranberry wine or 1/4 cup sweet dessert wine
• 2 1/2 lbs granny smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (6 to 8 apples)
• 2 1/2 lbs braeburn apples (6 to 8 apples) or 2 1/2 lbs golden delicious apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (6 to 8 apples)
• 1 cup dried sweetened cranberries
• 3 tablespoons minute tapioca

1. In a food processor, combine flour, brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon and cold butter. Pulse until a coarse mixture is formed, and no pieces are larger than a pea, about 12 1-second pulses. Add oats and toss to combine, pressing pieces together with fingertips. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
2. In a Dutch oven, combine cranberries with 3/4 c sugar, water, and, if using, crystallized ginger and wine. Cook over medium heat about 10 minutes, until cranberries break down and the sauce becomes jammy (20 minutes if cranberries are still frozen). Transfer cranberries to a bowl and set aside.
3. Add the apples to the same hot Dutch oven. Add remaining 1/2 c sugar and dried cranberries. Stir over medium heat 5 minutes, until apples release their juices. Add tapioca and cooked cranberries to Dutch oven and stir well to combine. Pour mixture into 9×13“ baking dish and spread out evenly. Place dish on a large rimmed baking sheet to catch any bubble-overs.
4. Sprinkle topping evenly over the top of the fruit mixture. Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 30 minutes, until the juices bubble at the edges and the topping is browned. Allow to cool 30 minutes before serving. Serve with vanilla ice cream.