I had apples to use that my mother-in-law brought to me from her apple trees and I was ready to try something new. I found this recipe and gave it a shot, and I’m so glad I did.

This is the best apple crisp that I’ve ever eaten. It’s simple, classic and so satisfying. Every ingredient plays a part in creating that perfect balance of sweet, tart and buttery goodness. The oats add a bit of chew and texture, the brown sugar brings that caramel-like richness, and the butter ties everything together.

This crisp smells and tastes like fall. It filled my house with that cozy aroma of cinnamon and baked apples. It’s a dessert that just feels warm and comforting.

The topping is different from other crisps I’ve tried because it covers the entire surface and bakes up golden and slightly crunchy. The apples underneath turn soft and are perfectly spiced.

Ice cream is the absolute perfect complement — especially vanilla. When you spoon a warm serving of this crisp into a bowl and top it with a scoop of ice cream, the cold cream melts just enough to mix with the bubbling cinnamon apple filling. It’s pure bliss in a bowl.

If you’re looking for a dessert that truly captures the spirit of all, this Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp is it. It’s a great way to use up extra apples, and any type will work.

From our kitchen to yours — enjoy!

Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp

Serves 12

Ingredients:

Spiced apples:

6 apples peeled and sliced
2 T. granulated sugar
3/4 t. ground cinnamon
1 1/2 t. lemon juice

Crisp topping:

1 c. light brown sugar3/4 c. old fashioned oats
3/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 t. ground cinnamon
pinch of salt
1/2 c. cold unsalted butter diced into small cubes

Instructions:

–Preheat the oven to 350° F. Butter an 8×8 baking dish, or spray with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
–In a mixing bowl, add chopped apples, granulated sugar, 3/4 tsp. of the cinnamon and lemon juice. Stir to combine, then transfer to a prepared baking dish.
–In a separate mixing bowl, add topping ingredients (brown sugar, oats, flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, salt, and diced cold butter). Use a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the oat mixture.
–Spread topping over apples in baking dish, and gently pat to even it out. Bake for 40-50 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.
–Serve warm with ice cream, or whipped cream.