There is nothing much cozier than an apple crisp on a cold night. I was planning to make an apple dessert for my friend’s birthday in November, because that’s one of her favorite dessert-genres. I saw Julia Turshen’s Apple Crisp recipe, and since I love her recipes I knew it would be delicious. I added some cardamom, a little nutmeg and some pecans, as Julia is all about variations and edits. It’s layered with warm spiced apples bubbling underneath and a thick oaty, buttery topping. The accompaniment of vanilla ice cream is essential, though, in my mind. It’s a big pan of yummy.
I have since made it two more times. It’s just so easy and satisfying and crowd-pleasing.
adapted from Julia Turshen
For the apples:
About 2 pounds apples (about 6 medium apples) or more, cored and thinly sliced – I like to have a variety of tart apples- granny smith and honey crisp is my favorite
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. cardamon or more
a pinch of nutmeg
a pinch of kosher salt
For the topping:
1 cup light brown sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
1⁄2 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
12 Tbsp. butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup (or more) roughly chopped pecans
Preheat your oven to 375ºF.
Place the apples in a 9-by-13 baking dish. Add the lemon juice, cornstarch, brown sugar, spices, and salt. Mix well.
In a large mixing bowl, stir together the brown sugar, flour, oats, salt, and cinnamon. Add the butter and then work the mixture with your hands, rubbing it between your fingertips, to form large crumbs. Really scrunch it with your hands so it’s like dense, wet, moldable sand. Add pecans and mix in.
Dot the top of the apples evenly with the crumb mixture. Bake until the apples are bubbling and the crumbs are dark golden brown, about 45 minutes.
Allow the crisp to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Serve with vanilla ice cream…of course!
In these winter weeks, I hope you find some friends you can enjoy this with. And in doing so, pass along the coziness.
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