There’s a hint of an early morning chill in the air, just begging us to pull out our favorite comfy sweater. The kids are heading back to school, the pumpkin-spice treats are showing up in our coffee shops. Autumn is on its way! So, this weekend we’re going to dust off a favorite fall recipe from Alex Guarnaschelli, who shares it from her mother and grandmother. We invite you to do the same and enjoy this lovely, iconic treat too.
Alex’s Apple Crisp
Level: Easy
Total: 1 hr 10 min
Prep: 20 min
Inactive: 5 min
Cook: 45 min
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients
About 3 pounds or 8 Granny Smith apples, peeled
1 lemon, zested and juiced, plus 1 lemon, zested for garnish, optional
1 orange, zested and juiced
1 tablespoon molasses
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup light brown sugar
1 stick (8 tablespoons) lightly salted butter, cut into cubes, plus 1 tablespoon for baking dish
Ice cream, for serving
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Put the apples on a flat surface. Cut the cheeks from the apple, to remove the core. Cut into fairly thin, but not too thin, slices. Put them in a bowl and add the lemon zest and juice and the orange zest and juice. Toss to coat the apples, then add the molasses, 1/2 teaspoon salt, the cinnamon, ginger, and the nutmeg. Toss to blend.
In another bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar and remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt. Add the butter to the bowl and break it up with your fingers integrating the flour with the butter. Spread it out on a plate or small baking sheet and refrigerate until ready to use.
Butter the bottom and sides of a shallow rectangular baking dish (approximately 13 inches long and 9 inches wide) with the remaining tablespoon of butter. Add the apples and top with the butter-flour mixture. Put the dish in the center of the oven and bake until the apples are tender when pierced with the tip of a knife. The topping should be golden brown as well, about 35 to 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool a few minutes before serving. To serve, garnish with additional lemon zest and ice cream, if desired.