Apple Crisp

There isn't much that can beat the smell of an apple crisp baking on a cool fall day... except maybe the taste of that apple crisp when it is still warm from the oven.  I always look forward to this time of the year when apples go on sale and the days get cool enough for me to want to heat the oven to make this delicious recipe.  I have made it for years and most recently made it to take to dinner at a friend's house.  It was a hit, as it always has been.  My kids helped me make it this time but didn't get the opportunity to eat it, so I plan to make another with them very soon.  We love all kinds of apples (as well as their health benefits)! If you want to learn about what the differences are between types of apples and their amazing science-backed heath benefits, here is a great article: http://www.well-beingsecrets.com/apples-health-benefits/

(You will need more apples than I have in this picture.)

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 c old fashioned or quick-cooking oats
• 3 graham crackers, finely crushed
• 1/3 c plus 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/3 c plus 2 Tbsp flour
• 1/4 c walnut pieces
• 1/3 c butter or margarine, melted
• 1 tsp cinnamon, divided
• 6 c apples (~5 med), sliced

DIRECTIONS: 

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  In a medium bowl, mix oats, graham cracker crumbs, 1/3 cup of flour, 1/3 cup brown sugar, walnuts, butter, and 1/2 tsp of cinnamon until well blended.  Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 2 Tbsp flour, and remaining 1/2 tsp of cinnamon.  Add sliced apples and toss to coat.
3. Place apples in an 8 inch square baking dish; sprinkle with oat topping.  Bake 35-40 minutes until apples are tender.

Difficulty: relatively easy, but a decent amount of measuring plus the slicing of the apples

Time: ~15 minutes prep, 35-40 minutes baking

Source: Kraftfoods.com