Sheila's Best Apple Crisp (No Oats)

Mrs Goodall's Note:

This is the apple crisp from my childhood (there is no oatmeal in the topping). If I could only pick one dessert to make the rest of my life, this would probably be it. Mom always made this in her beautiful copper au gratin pan. I bought the same pan when I got married, just so I could make this dessert. Originally from the 1966 version of the "Woman's Day Encyclopedia of Cookery", Mom adapted it slightly over the years (with a little help from Cooks Illustrated I think). Cutting the apples into "cubes" (instead of slices) helps the apples keep the apples firm throughout. I have made this with pecans or walnuts. I have also made it without nuts. I like it best with pecans, but all versions are yummy!! I love it warm or cold. You can serve it with ice cream, but I usually only do that for dinner parties.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Serves: 6

Yield: 1.0 crisp

• 2 lbs cooking apples
• ¼ cup water
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup light brown sugar (firmly packed)
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt (you can be generous unless you decide to substitute salted butter)
• ¾ cup flour
• ½ cup unsalted butter

Directions:

1. Cut cold butter into small cubes. Place in freezer to chill further.
2. PREPARE APPLES.
3. Peel apples.
4. Cut an apple into quarters. Cut out core. Cut each apple slice one more time so that there are 8 slices.
5. Cube the apple by cutting each slice the "short" way 2 or 3 times. Apple chunks should be no smaller than 1 inch (or they will get too mushy when cooking).
6. Cube the remaining apples.
7. Put apples into an 8 1/2 x 12 inch au gratin casserole dish, or an equivalent baking dish (it's pretty forgiving).
8. Pour water over apples.
9. PREPARE TOPPING:.
10. In the food processor put the sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt and flour. Pulse until combined.
11. Remove butter from freezer and put into food processor.
12. Pulse to blend. Topping should be smaller than peas but not as fine as cornmeal.
13. Add 3/4 cups chopped pecans pulse too mix.
14. Sprinkle topping over apples evenly.
15. Cover dish with foil.
16. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
17. Uncover.
18. Bake for 30 more minutes.
19. Cool before serving.

Reviews

[Chocolatl]

I like oats in my apple crisp, but my family does not, so I was pleased to find this recipe. I made it as written, without nuts, and it was one of the best apple crisps I've ever tasted. Thanks for posting!

[lausmith66]

The best apple crisp ever!

[Chef #1502519 "Jacqi"]

Very easy to make....and very good...I put a dollop of Cool Whip on top and it hit the spot for a quick dessert for dinner last night...My DH loved it also...Thanks for sharing...MRS. GOODALL