Project: Dabble

Celebrate the autumn equinox with this easy apple crisp made with cinnamon-spiced apples and a buttery oat topping. I’m also sharing a little about this seasonal turning point and some of the traditions that have marked the start of fall across cultures.

Happy first day of fall!

The fall equinox arrives September 22, 2026, at 8:05 p.m. EDT, marking the astronomical start of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.

An equinox occurs when the Sun crosses the celestial equator and day and night are nearly equal in length. The word equinox comes from the Latin aequus, meaning equal, and nox, meaning night. From here, the Northern Hemisphere continues its shift toward shorter days and longer nights until the winter solstice in late December.

Celebrate Autumn

For centuries, cultures around the world have marked this seasonal turning point with harvest celebrations, festivals and special traditions.

At Chichén Itzá in Mexico, for example, the late-afternoon sun around the spring and fall equinoxes casts a series of triangular shadows along the staircase of El Castillo, which is dedicated to the feathered serpent god Kukulkan. To the crowds gathered below, the shifting pattern creates the illusion of a serpent descending the pyramid toward the carved serpent head at its base.

Modern Pagan traditions celebrate Mabon as the second of three harvest festivals on the Wheel of the Year. It is a time for gratitude, gathering with friends and family and celebrating the abundance of the season. The cornucopia, or horn of plenty, and the pinecone are among its most recognizable symbols.

Across China, Vietnam and other parts of East and Southeast Asia, families celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival according to the lunar calendar. Traditions vary, but celebrations often include family gatherings, appreciation of the full moon and sharing mooncakes filled with ingredients such as lotus seed paste, red bean or salted egg yolk.

In Japan, the Buddhist observance of Higan, or Higan-e, takes place around the spring and fall equinoxes. Families visit ancestral graves, leave flowers and spend time reflecting on those who came before them.

Cooking Up Fall Fun

But you don’t have to travel to Chichén Itzá to mark the changing season. There are plenty of fun ways to celebrate autumn closer to home.

Go for a hike to reconnect with nature and observe the first changing leaves. Visit a farmers’ market and bring home pumpkins and gourds for a seasonal centerpiece. Or head to an orchard and fill a bag with freshly picked apples. (For more ideas, check out my post “Fun Ways to Dabble This Fall” and use these reflection questions to help brainstorm your next learning project.)

Apple picking is one of our favorite fall traditions, and each year it gives us an excuse to try a few new apple recipes.

This year, we’re welcoming fall with a warm apple crisp filled with tender, cinnamon-spiced apples and topped with a buttery, golden oat crumble. Serve it warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a mouthwatering taste of fall.

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Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

For the apples

6 large apples, 2½ pounds, peeled, cored, and chopped into ¾-inch pieces
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon sea salt

Crumble Topping

¾ cup whole rolled oats
½ cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
½ cup brown sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon sea salt
½ cup softened unsalted butter, cubed, plus more for the pan

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 375°F. Lightly butter an 8-by-8-inch baking dish.
2. Make the apple filling: Add the chopped and peeled apples to a large bowl along with the flour, brown sugar, lemon juice, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Stir until the apples are evenly coated, then transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
3. Prepare the crumble: Combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl. Add the softened butter and cut or rub it into the dry ingredients using two forks or your fingertips until coarse crumbs form. Scatter the topping evenly over the apples.
4. Cover the dish and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the filling is bubbling. Remove the cover and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the apples are tender and the topping is golden and lightly crisp.
5. Let the apple crisp rest for at least 10 minutes after removing it from the oven, then serve.