What's Cookin' in Jill's Kitchen: Simple Apple Crisp

Really, really good apple crisp.

Jim requested apple crisp for his birthday, so this post is for you, Jimmy! We brought this crisp to his sister's place to enjoy after some good New York pizza. It was a great idea. Often, simplicity is best. Apple crisp is a whole lot easier than layer cake, or even apple pie for that matter, and I'd venture to say it's just as good (quite possibly even better).

This apple crisp is really easy, homey, and delicious. I've never baked anything with tapioca before, but the cooks over at America's Test Kitchen say it makes the best thickener for blueberry pie, so when I saw a well-reviewed recipe that used it for apple crisp I decided to use that as a starting point. Here's what I ended up coming up with, adapted from an apple crisp recipe I found on the Weight Watchers website, believe it or not. So, it's not too unhealthy. It's got some good-for-you stuff like apples (duh) and whole oats, along with the requisite butter and brown sugar. Make it and enjoy it, preferable while still warm, with a little good-quality vanilla ice cream.

Simple Apple Crisp Serves 8
<click here for printable recipe>

8 large apples (Use what you like; I used half Granny Smith and half honeycrisp.)
juice of one lemon
½ cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca (It’s near the pudding in the grocery store.)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
⅛ teaspoon salt

Topping
¾ cup flour
½ cup rolled oats
⅛ teaspoon salt
dash each cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg
8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted

1) Peel and thinly slice the apples, then toss them with the lemon juice in a large bowl.

I used a mandoline to do this quickly. Love that contraption.

2) Add ½ cup brown sugar, the tapioca, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Let stand for 30 minutes, stirring once or twice.

3) Meanwhile, make the topping. Combine the flour, oats, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Drizzle in the melted butter, combining everything well. Set the topping mixture aside.

4) Spoon the apples and any accumulated liquid into an ungreased 11-x7-inch baking dish. Cover with foil and bake at 400°F for 30 minutes.

Cute kitchen timer, beloved housewarming gift.

5) Take the apple mixture out of the oven, but don’t turn it off. Remove the foil and crumble the topping mixture evenly over the hot apples. Return to the oven, uncovered, for 35-40 minutes more. Let cool for 2 hours before serving. Tastes great at any temperature, on its own or with whipped cream, lightly sweetened Greek yogurt, or vanilla ice cream (of course).