Apple crisp is a quintessential family favourite so you can imagine my excitement when I found this recipe – and in my mom’s handwriting! I’ve made the recipe a few times and am wondering if my mom altered it in later years because it didn’t turn out as I remembered it.
Mom’s handwritten version calls for the crispy crumble to sandwich the apples – which, once I got the proportions right, was delicious, but not a true “crisp.” After a bit of research, I realized this recipe is closer to a “Brown Betty” though still not quite true to a “Betty” either.
Crisps typically have fruit at the bottom of the dish with a sugar, butter, oat and flour mixture spread over top. “Crisp” and “Crumble” are often used interchangeably but crumbles typically do not have oats. A cobbler has a biscuit style crust that is spread over the top of the fruit. A Brown Betty has alternating layers of crisp ingredients and fruit.
I’ve broken down the recipe as either a Crisp or what I’m calling a “Double Crisp” to be closer to what mom described in her recipe. A double crisp is pictured.
Apple Crisp
Ingredients
- 4 cups apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup flour
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup Earth Balance, melted
Yield: 8-12 servings
Preheat oven to 375o
Combine the dry ingredients together in a large bowl, then add the melted Earth balance. Spread apples on the bottom of a greased 8-10” round casserole dish. Sprinkle the top of the apples with the crisp ingredients. Bake for 40-50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when it’s bubbling up the sides and the top has browned.
Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream.
Double Crisp
Ingredients
- 4 cups apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/4 cup flour
- 1 1/4 cup rolled oats
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup Earth Balance, melted
Yield: 8-12 servings
Preheat oven to 375o
Combine the dry ingredients together in a large bowl, then add the melted Earth balance. Spread half of this mixture on the bottom of a greased 8-10” round casserole dish. Place apples on top.
Sprinkle the top of the apples with the other half of the crisp ingredients. Bake for 40-50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when it’s bubbling up the sides and the top has browned.
Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream.
Grandma Donna's Cookbook 