Apple crisp isn’t pretty enough for a bakery shop window, but it’s still magic. The transformation of only four humble ingredients into a triumph of flavor and texture is a culinary feat. The beauty of apple crisp is that it doesn’t take much effort — just fresh fruit and a simple topping. There’s no decorative edging, no pretty pastry cut-outs, no flourish of buttercream — just simple, seasonal, delicious home baking.
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)
• ½ cup butter, cold and cubed
• 6 medium apples
Directions:
- • Preheat oven to 375º F.
- • Grease a 9-inch pie plate or 8-inch square baking dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
- • To make the topping, stir the brown sugar with the flour and cinnamon (if using) in a large bowl.
- • Add the butter and use your fingers to squish it into the flour mixture. You should end up with pea-sized lumps of butter, as well as some lima-bean-sized lumps.
- • Peel and slice the apples.
- • Put the slices into a large bowl and add about ⅓ cup of the topping mixture.
- • Stir well, then scrape the slices into the prepared baking dish, spreading them fairly evenly.
- • Top with the rest of the topping and smooth it into an even layer.
- • Place the dish on a baking sheet and bake 35-45 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and filling is bubbly at the edges.
- • Serve warm with ice cream, if desired.
