Mom's Hidden Recipe - Apple Crisp

In our home, summer officially comes to a close the day after Labor Day. Growing up in the 60's this was also the first day of school, at least until I reached Junior High when the school year was extended and everything got rolled back to the last week of August and extended to the first week of June. But during my elementary years, the school year ran from the day after Labor Day to the weekend before Memorial Day. There has always been something about that time frame that just made sense to me, and when we began homeschooling I planned our year to match it.

It's a rhythm I've honored most of my life, and one that is filled with a number of long-held seasonal traditions, including apple crisp!  I've been making apple crisps for several years using a different recipe almost every time, because for whatever reason, I never seemed to bookmark the one I used previously. But a couple of years ago as I was thumbing through my mom's recipe box, I discovered that two of the cards had stuck together and to my delight the hidden recipe was for an apple crisp. The funny thing is, I can recall my mom making almost every recipe in that box, but I don't remember a single time she made an apple crisp, which makes me wonder exactly how many years those two cards had been stuck together? At any rate, I made it for the first time later that same year, and then again this past weekend. In my opinion, this is the best I've ever had! It's the perfect combination of tart and sweet, and the topping!!! I made a note the first time to double it and I'm so glad I did! Served warm and topped with a couple of scoops of vanilla bean ice cream and you're serving up perfection on a plate!

APPLE CRISP

Filling:

3-4 large apples of your choice, peeled and thinly sliced

3 Tablespoons salted butter, melted
2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
3 Tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Topping:
2/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup salted butter,cut into small pieces

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Topping:
In a medium size bowl combine the crumb topping ingredients with a fork or pastry blender until it resembles small crumbs. Refrigerate while you prepare the apple filling.

Filling:
Peel and slice apples.  In a small bowl, combine melted butter and flour until well blended. Add lemon juice, milk and vanilla and stir well. Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.

Pour butter mixture over apples and toss to coat. Pour apple mixture into an 8x8-inch baking dish and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle crumb topping evenly over the apples.

Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream drizzled with caramel sauce, if desired.

Johnny Appleseed Day is coming up on September 26, and this would make the perfect after dinner dessert and simple, lovely way to celebrate the day. And if you're my age, the video below might evoke some memories from your childhood. I recall watching this the first time in elementary school, and was delighted to find it years later to share with my girls. If you have a little in your life, I'm sure they'll enjoy it!

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