Comfort Me With Apple Crisp

So, let me ask you this question...why can dessert not be a meal? It is a valid question and one that deserves an answer. Who really wants to eat dessert after a meal with several courses? Can the dessert not be the meal in its own right? I say YES and here's a recipe to prove it. There's nothing more comforting than the smell of apples and spices baking. This is a generous crisp - for 2-3 people to eat well and contentedly pat their well-fed bellies. Be sure to serve warm - not hot - with a scoop of a very good vanilla ice cream. You will be well-fed. Need no other sustenance. The apples will have comforted you and you can happily be on your way...

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 3

Ingredients

• 2  large granny smith apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
• 1⁄4 cup golden raisin
• 2  tablespoons brown sugar
• 1  tablespoon lemon juice
• 1  teaspoon flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg

• Topping

• 1⁄3 cup  desiccated coconut
• 1⁄4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1⁄4 cup flour
• 1⁄4 cup oats
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1  dash salt
• 2  tablespoons butter, and a little extra to butter the baking dish (es)
• 1⁄3 cup pecans, chopped

• To serve

•  vanilla ice cream

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and place rack in the center of the oven. Generously butter 2 individual gratin dishes or, if you want to make this as one crisp, a pie dish.
2. For Topping: Place all the ingredients, except pecans, in a food processor and process until the mixture is crumbly (looks like coarse meal) and there are no large pieces of butter visible. (This can also be done by rubbing with your fingertips.) Stir in the pecans. Set aside (I popped it in the fridge to keep the butter cold) while you prepare the filling.
3. For Filling: Gently combine the apples with the raisins, brown sugar, lemon juice, zest, flour, vanilla extract and spices. Transfer to your prepared baking dish(es) Scatter the topping evenly over the apples.
4. Bake for approximately 35-45 minutes (depending on how tender you like your apples) or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are fragrant and bubbling. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool for about 30 minutes before serving.
5. Serve with a premium-grade vanilla ice cream.