Birthday Apple Crisp

This is the Apple Crisp that I made for my son's birthday, which we celebrated last Sunday.  You may remember that this son doesn't like cake or chocolate!  Can you imagine anyone not liking chocolate. According to kgb.com about 4% of the population do not like chocolate, so my son isn't the only one. Therefore, I've been making this recipe for a very long time. I could make it in my sleep. almost.  You can use apples, or any other seasonal fruit, peaches, plums, or pears.  I've mostly made this with apples however.

Because my baking and cooking capabilities have been limited, I had my sous chef peel the apples.  I like Jonagold, because they are tart, sweet and juicy, but you could any apple of your preference. I have used Granny Smith apples also.  To make this crisp a little healthier, I use old fashioned rolled oats to balance out the six Tbsp. of butter, and cinnamon, lots of cinnamon. And who says that you can't teach an old dog,  new tricks? As I read Foy Updates Fall Apple Crisp recipe, I picked up  her tip to turn the oven up to 400 degrees for the last five minutes of baking to ensure that the topping is crisp.  Even though I make this for my son's birthday, which happens to be in October, Apple Crisp has always been a rite of Fall.

Apple Crisp- enough for a shallow 10" pie plate or 9X9 square pan- 375 degree oven

Topping:
I do not have a food processor, so I use a pastry blender to make the topping.  If you don't have a pastry blender, you can cut in the butter with two knives.

3/4 c. brown sugar
1 c. flour
1/2 c. old fashioned rolled oats
1 tsp. cinnamon
6 Tbsp butter
6 Jonagold apples
More cinnamon to taste.

1. Combine first 4 ingredients and cut in butter until crumbly, like small peas, and refrigerate until the apples are peeled, sliced and cored. .
  
2.Peel, slice and core apples. I use an apple slicer, which makes this step much easier. Sprinkle  more cinnamon over the apples, if desired.

3. Spray 10" pie plate, and pile apples into pan. Take topping out of fridge, and spread the topping over the apples.  Bake in 375 degree oven 35-40 min., until apples are tender and topping is golden. Then, turn oven up to 400 degrees for five min. to "crisp" topping. Cool on rack. Serve Warm-Enjoy Fall!