Warm Apple Crisp for a Cold, Crisp Fall Day

Joey, Hayley, Emily & 678lb. Pumpkin

One of my favorite fall traditions is taking my children apple picking.  We go to Smith's Orchard, which is where my mom apple picked when she was little, where she took my brother and I when we were younger, and now we take my children there.  This year was the first year all three could actually reach apples to pick for themselves, and Joey and Hayley could climb the trees.  We went a little later in the season than usual since all the kids picked up colds (I am assuming it was the back to school sniffles!) and they then decided to share the cold with Grampa.  Usually when we go we are bundled up in sweatshirts and really in a fall mood, but this year it was 80 degrees and we were all quite hot to say the least. 

Hayley getting our apples ready

When we arrived the kids first saw the enormous pumpkin out front, which we were told was 678 pounds.  It was huge!  The tractor wasn't running to all of our dismay, since it was the first year I chose not to bring our red wagon . . . I'll make sure I bring it next year!  It was a lot of fun, though when Emily picked her first apple, she turned to my mom and I and told us she found her apple, so it was time to go home.  After explaining that we would be each picking more than one apple, we all got to work to fill our four bags. 



A few days after our apple picking trip, the weather turned to the regular cool, crisp fall days.  Friday was the perfect day to bake some apple crisp with the kids.  They all chose their favorite apron (all made by my mom) and we got to work.  Hayley and Joey peeled and sliced the apples with a William-Sonoma Apple Peeler/Corer.  I put the apples on, but they did the crank and put the slices into our pan.  Emily helped mix the spices for the apples and then helped make the topping.  It was a really fun morning and the kids had a great time.

Emily mixing the spices for our apples

The recipe I used is a creation of mine from several different recipes I have come across.  I like an even split between the apples and the topping, but many of the recipes I found leaned one way or the other.  So here is what I came up with.  It lists 10c. of apple slices, but really you need to fill the 13x9 with apples or the topping will overtake the apples.

Apple Crisp
10c. apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
1/4 c. water

Spices for Apples:
1c. granulated sugar
1 T. flour
1 t. cinnamon

Topping:
1 1/2 c. quick cooking oats
1 c. flour
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
3/8 t. baking powder
3/8 t. baking soda
3/4 c. butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
2. Place the sliced apples in a 13x9 pan.  Mix all the ingredients for the apples spices and sprinkle over the apples.  Pour water evenly over all. 
3. Combine all the ingredients for the topping.  Crumble evenly over the apple mixture.
4. Bake for 45 minutes.

Enjoy!