Apple Blackberry Crisp

By Hklbrries

There is something about fall that brings out the baker in us all. Brisk breezes and rustling leaves almost seem to whisper "apple crisp."

Measure, stir and bake this mouthwatering apple dessert using autumn's apple harvest and colorful, juicy frozen blackberries. In this recipe the steps are not only simple, but also mixed with play.

Ingredients

• Filling:
• 5 apples or about 4 cups when peeled and sliced
• 1 cup frozen blackberries, thawed slightly
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon flour
• Juice from one lemon
• For the Topping:
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups quick oats
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup melted butter

Preparation

Step 1

Here’s the baking fun:

Crisp:
Peel the apples. If your children are skilled at using a vegetable peeler, make the peeling of the apples a game. Start at the stem and peel in a spiral motion. Try to make the longest strip without breaking it. If your kids are competitive, they’ll have the apples peeled in no time!

Cut the peeled apples into ¼ inch slices. While you are at it, for a surprise, cut an apple in half widthwise to reveal a star design in the middle. Place the slices in a large bowl. Add slightly thawed blackberries, sugar, flour and lemon juice. Combine and spoon into a medium-size 8 x 11 baking dish.

Topping:
In another bowl, stir together the flour, oats, sugars, cinnamon, salt and melted butter. Mix lightly until crumbly. Sprinkle this topping mixture with fingers over apples and berries. Press lightly.

Place in preheated oven. If you have a window on your oven door, let the kids keep watch to observe when the fruit juices bubble up through the browned topping. That will be the clue that the apple-berry crisp is done, about 30 minutes.

Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a sprig of mint on top. Then give yourselves a standing ovation!

Extra idea: Add a teaspoon or two of leftover berry juice to the whipped cream. Swirl it around to create a purple marbled effect, and then spoon on top of each serving.