Apple crisp recipes are easy to make and delicious for the whole family. The words apple crisp have been used in the United States to describe a dish that is sweet and crunchy on top. In Britain the same recipe is called apple crumble and both make use of cooking apples, a bit of butter, some sugar (either brown or granulated), some flour or rolled oats, and several spices. This was a peasant style dish that one made for the family.
There seems to be some sort of confusion with some other kinds of desserts made with apples. There is a dish called apple brown bettie that is made by layers of apples alternating with layers of sugar laiden bread or crackers and slathered with a sauce. Another dish uses drop biscuits on top of the apples and is called by several names including apple cobbler or apple grunt, slump or apple pandowdy.
The first apple crisp recipe was published in the first edition of the Fannie Farmer Cooking book in’96 but it suspected that it was made for families centuries before. This dish is traditionally made during the autumn season mainly because of the abundance of apples during this time. It can also be made with canned apples at any time of the year. There are variations on it that use whatever fruit might be available during the season such as berries or peaches.
The types of apples needed to make apple crisp are called cooking apples. They are tart and a little more firm than other apples and will stand up to baking and not get mushy. Varieties that make good cooking apples are Granny Smith, McIntosh, Jonathan, Northern Spye, and Winesap.
An easy method of making apple crisp is made by peeling and slicing six large apples, and using three fourths of a cup of old fashion oatmeal, one half of a cup of brown sugar that is packed tight, one half of a cup flour, one half of a teaspoon of cinnamon and six tablespoons of butter that is at room temperature. The apples need to be cored and sliced and placed in a 9 inch square baking pan slathered with butter so the apples won’t stick once it is baked. The other ingredients should be mixed with a pastry cutter or forks so that it eventually looks like fine meal and then it is spread over top of the apples. Cook the apple crisp in a 350 degree F oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until the crust is brown and it is bubbly. Remove it from the oven to cool a little bit. Cut it into squares and serve while it is still warm with vanilla ice cream. Whipped cream is also an option for enhancing the dish.
Another way to make apple crisp employs the addition of cheese to the ingredients. Everyone knows that some people like apple pie with a slice of Cheddar and this recipe expounds on this fact. In this recipe you will core, peel and slice six large apples and need one third of a teaspoon cinnamon, six teaspoons of apple juice, one half stick of softened butter, three fourths of a cup of granulated sugar, one teaspoon of lemon juice, one eight teaspoon of salt, one half cup of flour and one fourth pound of shredded Cheddar cheese. Place the apples in a nine inch square baking pan. Sprinkle the cinnamon over top then add the apple and lemon juice. In another bowl cut the butter into the flour with a pastry cutter or fork. Add the sugar and salt then the Cheddar cheese. This mixture should look like fine crumbs and it can be spooned over the apple mixture. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and place the pan in for 40 minutes until the crust is crisp and browned. Let it cool a bit then serve warm with ice cream.
Near the end of summer you might not be able to find many apples yet, but there is sure to be a large quantity of zucchini in your garden and in the stores. Believe it or not you can make apple crisp with zucchini and it tastes like apples. What a great way to get the kids to eat vegetables. Place five cups of peeled, seeded and sliced zucchini a saucepan. Add one third cup of granulated sugar, one fourth cup of lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and three fourths cup apple cider or apple juice. Bring it to a boil then simmer for about 10 or 15 minutes or until the zucchini is soft and tender. Pour it into a greased pie pan for deep dish pies. Now, in a bowl combine 6 tablespoons of softened butter, one fourth teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, one cup of flour, and one half cup of brown sugar. Using a pastry cutter or two knives cut the mixture in to make a course meal and spread it over the zucchini. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes in a 350 degree F oven. Serve it warm with ice cream. You won’t believe it until you try it.
Try making one of these recipes for your family during the autumn when apples ripen. If they haven’t had it before they will ask for it again and again. If you have made apple crisp before try making the one with cheese to surprise your family or try the one with zucchini and amaze your family that a vegetable can taste like apples. Apple crisp should be a dessert your family looks forward to once summer is over and fall descends with cool winds and apple crops.
Eric loves apple crisp and this is why he has dedicated a whole website to where you can learn .