Caramel Apple crisp

Serves 8

Non-stick cooking spray
5 cups peeled, cored, sliced Granny Smith apples, (about 3 large apples)
1/2 cup sugar-free caramel ice cream topping (try Smuckers)
1 Tbs. cornstarch
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Crisp topping:
1 1/4 cups flour
1 1/4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat the inside of an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Stir apples with caramel topping, cornstarch, and cinnamon until apples are coated. Place in prepared baking pan.
  3. Combine flour, oats, and brown sugar in a medium bowl. Stir in oil until evenly moistened and mixture is in the form of large crumbs. Sprinkle crumbs over apples.
  4. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until apples are tender and top is golden brown. Let stand 30 minutes to one hour before serving.
  5. Serve with low-fat vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt, if desired.

Image credit: Just be splendid

Baked Golden Delicious Apple Wedges with Whole Wheat Walnut Streusel Topping

Serves 6 to 8

4 large Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and cut into wedges,
2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice

Streusel Topping
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all-purpose white flour
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 cup broken walnuts
1/4 cup raisins

Heavy cream, vanilla ice cream, or vanilla yogurt, optional toppings

  1. Heat oven to 350° F. Lightly butter a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Arrange the apple wedges in a single layer in the baking dish.
  2. Prepare streusel topping: In a large bowl cream the butter and brown sugar until smooth. In another bowl, stir the whole wheat flour, white flour, cinnamon and nutmeg until blended. Add flour mixture to the butter and work in with a fork or fingers until the mixture is crumbly. Add the walnuts and raisins.
  3. Squeezing the streusel topping between your fingers, distribute it in clumps evenly over the apples.
  4. Bake in preheated oven 30 minutes or until the streusel is browned and crisp. Serve warm with heavy cream, vanilla ice cream, or vanilla yogurt spooned over each serving.

 

Festive apple desserts

Sautéed Apples

Serves 8

2 tsp. butter
8 firm, tart apples, peeled (optional), cored and sliced
pinch of ground cinnamon (optional)

  1. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add the sliced apples and the cinnamon.
  3. Sauté until the apples are soft. Serve warm apples in crêpes (Note: See video below for step-by-step guide to making crêpes), or over angel food or pound cake. Or simply serve over vanilla ice cream or yogurt.

Click here for your easy "Festive Apple Desserts: Apple Know-how" guide to the best apples for your festive apple desserts.

All recipes © Washington Apple Commission; caramel apple crisp recipe adapted from, and image courtesy of Crisco.

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How to Make Crepes from Foodwishes on Vimeo.

Crêpes recipe:
Makes approx. 10 to 12 crepes

2 eggs
1 cup flour
1 1/4 cup milk
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1/4 tsp. salt

  1. Beat eggs; add other ingredients
  2. Blend until mixture is consistency of heavy cream
  3. Refrigerate in bowl for 1 hour; add a bit more milk if consistency has thickened
  4. Pour scant 1/4 cup batter in hot nonstick crêpe pan or 8- to 9-inch pan, tilting pan to spread mixture evenly on bottom
  5. Cook crêpe over medium heat until crêpe is dry on top; using spatula, turn crêpe over
  6. Cook about 15 to 20 seconds; stack crêpes in plate as each is prepared
  7. Wrap crêpes tightly in plastic wrap until ready to use.