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I started cooking for Brian and I the first fall we spent together. Before that, I was a pretty typical 20-something who lived off sandwiches and microwave meals. Yes, true story. One of the first gluten-free desserts I attempted to make was an apple crisp, after I’d convinced him to go to the orchard and proceed to lug around ten pounds of apples we’d picked.
It has become our tradition every September, but oddly enough, my apple crisp recipe never stays the same except for using a mix of tart and sweet apples, along with pumpkin pie spice (it doesn’t have to be used exclusively for pumpkin – the combination of nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, is so lovely with apples too!).
Crisps/crumbles/cobblers…. it’s one of the few baking categories that doesn’t require exact precision, which my pantry loves.
This non-traditional apple crisp came to be when I realized I’d ran out of oats, and all I could think about was that bubbling pan of cozy coming out of the oven.
But I did have a few slices of gluten-free bread hiding out in the freezer, which I promptly turned into breadcrumbs. And pecans. Brown sugar. And butter.
It turned out cozy, and comforting, with a generous crisp topping that’s nutty and toasted just right. Even beyond the breadcrumbs, the pecans alone give you plenty of delicious crunch to sink your teeth into.
A little rustic, with a heavy dose of fall.
As you’ll see, I peeled the apples, but if you’re really in a hurry, you can totally skip that. Bonus points for extra fiber. ;)
And at any rate, it’ll save you a few extra minutes for scooping ice cream that melts gloriously into pockets of warm apples. Amen.
SCALE:
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Wonderful way to use homemade apple cinnamon bread that is dried out!
I made bread crumbs -raisins and all – toasted them and will now use them in this tasty sounding recipe.
I am such a sucker for anything crisp or pie or apple.. any dessert really haha. Thanks for sharing, I can’t wait to try this recipe!
x Sabrina
http://mymiaou.com
me too! i love the softness of the fruit with a little crunch. thanks for stopping by!
This is so clever, Amanda! And I’m a sucker for apple crisps, crumbles, and pies.. but who isn’t during fall? Love how easy this is… I must try it!!
XO
I have never thought of using breadcrumbs in a crisp, but now that you have written it here, it seems like a no-brainer! Will be packing that gem away in my food brain. Love the look of this, and I will definitely be trying it out during this time of supreme cozy :) xoxo
Ohh I’ve never tried using breadcrumbs in my crisp! I love that you are heavy on the spices, it makes for such a great apple crisp! xo
Apple season, hooray!! This is JUST what I need to get in the mood :)
all the cozy!
This apple crisp looks WONDERFUL! Could I substitute the butter for vegan butter or melted coconut oil?
Yes, vegan butter! No to the coconut oil.
I only became a serious cook when I was trying to impress a new love interest (before then I was just a sandwich and microwave meal person too), and ten years later he’s still with me so I must have been doing something right , lol! And the crisp/ crumble/ cobbler is my go to dessert recipe because I am hopeless when it comes to following precise recipe instructions! And apple crips is by far my favourite!