Cookbook:Apple Crisp I

| United States | Dessert

Apple crisp is a dessert made up of a baked apple filling and a crispy crumb topping. It is similar to cobbler, which has a biscuit-like (USA biscuit that is) or cake-like topping. It is also similar to a crumble, and the terms 'crisp' and 'crumble' may occasionally be used interchangeably. According to some traditions, crisp toppings are more likely to contain oats and/or nuts, while crumbles typically do not contain these ingredients. Cool room temperature is required to create a nice crisp topping. To serve apple crisp, spoon it into a bowl and, optionally, add vanilla ice cream. It also goes well with a glass of milk.

Ingredients

 * 6 cups sliced and cored baking apples (for example, Granny Smith)
 * ½ cup (100 g) all-purpose flour
 * ½ cup (100 g) rolled oats
 * ¾ teaspoon (3 g) cinnamon
 * ⅓ cup (75 g) cold butter or cold margarine
 * ⅔–¾ cup (120–150 g) brown sugar

Procedure

 * 1) In a medium bowl stir together flour, brown sugar, and oatmeal. If the room temperature is a bit warm, you should cool this mixture in the fridge.
 * 2) Prepare the apples. This should be completed before mixing butter into the topping. It is helpful to choose apples that do not brown quickly; Granny Smith apples are a good choice. Do not use Red Delicious apples; they turn to mush. Place the apples into a 9-inch (23 cm) square baking dish; glass is best.
 * 3) Add the butter or margarine to the topping. Mix it via a slicing action, so that the butter or margarine forms tiny little chunks and does not melt or smear. A pair of butter knives, used like scissors, is good for this. You must work quickly once you start this step.
 * 4) Sprinkle the topping onto the apples. You may pat it down just a bit.
 * 5) Bake for about 30 minutes in a 375 °F (190°C) oven. Do not remove the crisp before the top is dark brown. Black spots indicate burning. It is better to burn a few small spots, which you can then remove, than to risk undercooking the topping.

Notes, tips, and variations

 * Any type of apple may be used, baking or sweet, or a mixture of types.
 * Cooked apple dishes are a good use for substandard apples, e.g. damaged, wrinkled & windfall.
 * Crisps can be made with most any sort of fruit. Pineapple is a good choice.
 * Some fruits, especially peaches, go better in a cobbler.
 * Raisins can be added to the apples at the beginning, and ½ teaspoon of powdered ginger, or a sprinkling of nutmeg can also be put in.
 * Mixed spice is a perfect addition to apple dishes. This is more popular in Britain than the US.