Cameo Apple Crisp

By Hklbrries

Apples are available year-round, but they never seem more mouthwatering than at apple-picking time. Fresh from the tree, apples are appealing as a crisp fruit to bite into - but also as an ingredient as we go back to the kitchen and to baking.

Here's a recipe for an easy apple dessert, a variation of a familiar idea that first appeals with its gentle aroma of spices. Then there's the topping, a crunchy layer combining oats, dried fruit and nuts, and underneath, juicy apples, full of flavor.

The Cameo apples called for are a relatively new all-American variety, thin-skinned, orange-yellow streaked with red in color. They're sweet-tart and crisp to eat raw, and hold their shape and texture well when cooked.

Ingredients

• Filling:
• 8 cups Cameo apples, peeled, cored and sliced
• 2 tbsp lemon or orange juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp nutmeg
• Topping:
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries or cherries
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 1/2 sticks (1 1/4 cups) chilled unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon-size pieces

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 F.

To make the filling: Place ingredients in a large bowl; toss to combine.

To make the topping: Mix flour, oats, sugars, pecans, cranberries, salt and cinnamon in large bowl. Cut in butter (using pastry cutter or two knives) until mixture forms coarse crumbs. Spread apple mixture into 9-by-13-inch baking dish; cover apples evenly with topping. Bake 40 minutes or until apples are tender and topping is golden. Serve with ice cream or whipped topping.