Country Apple/Cherry-Walnut Crisp

Autumn comes alive in this delicious home-baked desert that features warm apples and cherries topped with crunchy granola, walnuts, cinnamon and nutmeg, and served with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) can  tart red cherries, pitted (packed in water)
• 1⁄4 cup white sugar
• 1  pinch salt
• 2  tablespoons flour
• 2  teaspoons orange zest
• 1  teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3  cups green apples, peeled, cored and sliced thin
• 1⁄4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 1⁄2 cups granola cereal
• 3⁄4 cup  toasted walnuts, chopped
• 2 1⁄2 tablespoons butter, melted
•  whipped cream (optional) or  vanilla ice cream (optional)
•  ground cinnamon (Garnish)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Drain the canned cherries, reserve 1/2 cup juice.
3. Add the cherries and juice to a large mixing bowl; sprinkle with the white sugar and salt. Toss to coat and let stand for 10 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, in a small mixing bowl combine together the flour, orange zest, cinnamon, and nutmeg; add to cherries and toss to mix.
5. Combine the apples and brown sugar with the cherries; toss well.
6. In a small mixing bowl combine together the granola, toasted walnuts, and butter; set aside.
7. Pour the fruit filling into a 2-quart square baking dish (ungreased); sprinkle the granola mixture over the filling.
8. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the apples are tender.
9. Cook's Tip: Cover with foil the last 5 - 10 minutes to prevent over-browning.
10. Serve warm and if desired top with whipped cream or ice cream, and sprinkle with additonal cinnamon.