Whole Grain Apple Crisp

When I think of Fall, I think of crisp juicy apples and eat them daily.  I put them in my oatmeal, in salads,and of course desserts, like apple crisp and apple pie.  There are many versions and recipes for "Crisps and Crumbles."  I have been making  the same apple crisp recipe forever, since the late 60's.   Now that I'm trying to cut back on the bad carbs, I wanted to change my apple crisp recipe. So I used whole wheat flour for the all purpose flour, and subbed Splenda brown sugar for regular brown sugar.  I was already using rolled oats. I still had to use butter, because with the Smart Balance, it doesn't get "crispy."  I tried that once before, Still I wasn't sure how the crisp would turn out using the whole wheat flour.  To my amazement, the crisp turned out very well, and not different from using the AP flour in  appearance and taste.  However the whole grains have more nutritional value.

This Apple Crisp recipe is very easy to make with just a few ingredients, and goes together quickly.  It is very good warm, even with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, but not for me now. Well, maybe I'll take just a bite out of Scott's dish. Everything in moderation, right? This recipe is for 9x5 loaf pan and serves 2.  The recipe may be doubled for an 8x8 pan, or tripled, for a 13x9 pan, depending on the size of your apples.

Apple Crisp -for a 9x5 loaf pan, serves 2

 Topping:
 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.

1/3 c. brown sugar or Splenda  I used Splenda Brown Sugar
¼ c whole wheat flour, or AP flour
1/4 c. old fashioned rolled oats
½ tsp. cinnamon
3 Tbsp butter
3 Jonagold, Yellow Delicious, Gala,  or apples of your choice
More cinnamon to taste.

1. Combine first 5 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 a 9x5 pan 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!