Apple Orchards & Apple Crisp

I grew up going apple picking with my family every fall. We would all pile into the car and head east on Long Island until we were far from the city. The trip usually involved a stop at a pumpkin patch along the way. We would come home with bags full of fall goodies and tummies filled with donuts and apple cider. I remember one specific time when the pumpkin patches allowed "all the pumpkins you can carry in one armful" for a set price. My poor father walked out carrying half a dozen huge round pumpkins for us to carve. I'm still not sure how he did it. That memory makes me smile.

I try my best to keep the tradition alive. This year I went with yt, his sister and their family pup. Here are a few pictures from our outing. 

The best part of apple picking is the plethora of apple recipes that follow soon after. The first thing I made with my apples was a sweet apple crisp. Warm and gooey in the middle, a crunchy buttery topping and a big scoop of cold vanilla ice cream on top. Perfection. 

Here's what you'll need... This recipe serves two!

3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter cubed into small pieces

4 tablespoons sugar

3 tablespoons flour

3 tablespoons rolled oats

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

2 medium granny smith apples

1 medium gala apple

1 1/2 tablespoons grade A maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

Here's what to do...

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and set aside two small ramekins

In a mixing bowl, add the diced butter, 2 tablespoons of the sugar, flour, rolled oats and 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon. Rub together with your fingers until the ingredients combine into a crumbly mixture. Set inside the refrigerator. 

Peel, core and dice each apple into 1/2 inch chunks. In another mixing bowl add the apple pieces, the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, maple syrup, lemon and lemon zest. 

Pour half of the apple mixture into each ramekin and top with the streusel mixture. Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden brown on top. 

What are your favorite apple recipes? 

I'm open to any and all suggestions since I have so many apples to use!