Caramel Apple Crisp

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, I’m trying to survive all the crazy preparation chaos by focusing on the positive: being with my family and, of course, all the delicious dishes! My favorite Thanksgiving/autumn dessert is hands down caramel apple crisp. To me, it tastes like everything that is perfect about the fall.

Ingredients:

For the Apple Filling:

5 cups of apples (your choice)

1/3 cup sguar

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp flour

1 tsp vanilla

For the Crisp:

6 Tbsp cold butter, cut into small pieces

3/4 cup flour

3/4 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

For the Caramel: 

1 cup sugar

1 tbsp corn syrup

1/4 cup water

1/2 cup heavy cream (heated)

2 Tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature)

1 tsp vanilla

Preparation:

Apple Filling:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Peel and slice apples and toss with remaining ingredients.

Pour apple mixture into a buttered 8×8 pan. Set aside.

Crisp: 

Toss together the butter and flour until the butter is evenly coated.

Add the oats and both sugars and blend into butter mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.

Clean hands work good for this step.

Sprinkle over apples.

Bake 30-40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

Caramel Topping:

Heat the sugar, syrup, and water in a sauce pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil.

When it boils stop stirring and let it turn a medium amber color.

Remove from heat and slowly pour in the warm heavy cream.

Stir the mixture until it is smooth with a wooden spoon. (If any lumps form return to heat and stir them away.)

Stir in the butter.

Allow the sauce to cool for a few minutes and stir in the vanilla extract.

Note: For best results, top with a scoop (or three!) of vanilla ice cream! It’s Thanksgiving, calories don’t count!