It is full on fall in Michigan right now. The crisp air, the leaves are beginning to fall and change colors, and unfortunately the days are getting shorter.

We do a TON of baking during the cooler months. My favorite is when we use our fresh apples from the orchard. I mean, why would I go to the local grocery store and spend $5 on apples when I can go spend $100 at the apple orchard?!

I made some apple pies, and those are delicious. It makes me reminisce about my grandfather that LOVED apple pie, with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. It was his favorite. Every year for his birthday, my mom would bake him a fresh pie.

I still think apple crisp is easier, and in my opinion SWEETER! I still enjoy it with vanilla ice cream, but occasionally I’ll have some for breakfast.

I’m going to share my recipe with you today. I have a secret ingredient… still debating if I’ll share that!

First, you peel your very expensive apples. I picked them with my family, so they taste better, right?! I peel about 6-8, depending on the size. I feel they were a bit small this year so I went with 8! I then slice them, thinly. I had to hand the knife over to my husband. I almost chopped my finger. I’ll spare you the details, and pictures.

Second, you want to stir all your dry ingredients together: flour, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg! Yup, that’s my secret. I know it’s a very common spice, but to me it made the difference!

I then add the dry ingredients with my thinly sliced apples. At this point I also add a little bit of vanilla. It just makes the flavors a little more rich. I let those sit and “marinate” while I make the “crisp”!

Mix your oatmeal, brown sugar and cubed butter. I let my girls do this part and get messy.

I put mine in a smaller dish, then a 13×9! I used a 9×9. Not exactly sure why, it was just a pretty dish I guess! Then I plopped it in the oven at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.

I let it cool slightly, then served it warm with a pile of vanilla ice cream.

My whole family loved it. Well after the decided they weren’t afraid to try something mom baked.

I’m gonna share the recipe below! Enjoy, and let me know if you tried it!

6-8 apples, peeled and chopped

2 Tbsp granulated sugar

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup light brown sugar

3/4 cup old fashioned oats

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, diced into small cubes

1/2 tsp vanilla

pinch of kosher salt

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.  Butter a baking dish, or spray with non-stick cooking spray.  Set aside.

2. In a mixing bowl, add chopped apples, granulated sugar, 3/4 tsp of the cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and flour. Stir to combine, then transfer to prepared baking dish.

3. 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, using a slight downward twisting motion, until mixture resembled pea-sized crumbs.  Alternatively, you can use two forks or even your hands to cut butter into the mixture.

4. Spread topping over apples in baking dish, and gently pat to even it out.  Bake 40-50 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.

5. Serve warm and enjoy!

In full transparency I used a Pinterest recipe, but I tweaked it a lot to my liking! Isn’t that what cooking and baking is about, though?!

I hope if you make it, you enjoy it as much as my family did!

Also tag us on IG, or Twitter if you make it!