Blueberry Crisp

Since blueberries are in season for only a very limited time, and out-of-season fresh blueberries cost an arm and a leg, we like to make our blueberry crisp with readily available frozen berries. And besides, using fresh berries in a slow-cooking crisp, where they’ll become pleasantly mushy, is like getting all slicked up to go milk the cows: it doesn’t add anything to the experience, so why do it?

• Ready In: 1 hr 25 mins
• Serves: 8-10
• Yields: 1 Crisp

Ingredients

• 6 -7  cups frozen blueberries
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄4 teaspoon allspice
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1  cup confectioners' sugar
• 1⁄4 cup brown sugar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 2  tablespoons lemon juice
• 3  tablespoons butter, melted
• 1⁄4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

• Topping

• 1 1⁄4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 cup granulated sugar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 3⁄4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 6  tablespoons  melted butter
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄4 teaspoon  almond extract

Directions

1. To prepare the blueberries: Place the berries in a microwave-safe bowl, and heat them for 4 to 5 minutes, till they're thawed and beginning to warm.
2. Combine the berries with the remaining filling ingredients, and spoon the mixture into a lightly greased 8" round cake pan, 9" pie pan, or 9" round cake pan; if you use an 8" pan, be sure it's at least 2" deep.
3. Bake the berries in a preheated 350°F oven for 30 minutes, until the berries are starting to bubble.
4. Meanwhile, make the topping: Whisk together the dry ingredients.
5. Add the melted butter and flavors, mixing till coarse crumbs form.
6. Set the topping aside.
7. Remove the berries from the oven, and spread/sprinkle the topping over the berries.
8. Bake for an additional 45 minutes, until berries are bubbling and topping is beginning to brown.
9. Remove from the oven, and allow to cool completely, preferably overnight.
10. If you serve the crisp right away, it'll be very liquid; allowing it to set up overnight lets the berries reabsorb some of their juices.
11. Next day, serve the crisp plain, or à la mode.
12. Heat it briefly (about 30 seconds) in the microwave, if desired, to provide a nice warm bed for the ice cream!