Crunchy, Nutty Apple Crisp with a Sprinkling of Bacon ++ Bacon is optional but it sure is a delicious option!

Prefer seeing photos with a recipe - I've included a link below

I always have such good intentions. I always buy lots of fruit and I always throw away some of that fruit. This time I put those soft apples to good use and baked one of my favorite old-fashioned desserts – Apple Crisp. Sprinkling on bits of crispy bacon towards the end of the baking time gives this dessert an new twist.

You know, I actually prefer eating apple crisp at room temperature, but that didn’t keep me from giving myself a big serving while it was still hot.

Except for coring, peeling and cutting the apples, this dessert takes very little time to prepare.

8 – 9 inch square cake pan --- Bake at 350F for 30 – 35 minutes

Add chopped, cooked bacon 5 minutes before apple crisp is ready to come out of the oven.

INGREDIENTS

**Apple Filling** 

• 7 cups peeled, sliced apples

• 1/3 cup sugar

• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon

• 3 pinches nutmeg

• 1 Tbs. flour ---- Flour helps thicken the apple juices

• 1/4 tsp. salt

  Topping

• 1/2 cup brown sugar Just leveled, not ‘packed’

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

• 4 Tbs COLD butter, cut into small pieces

• 2 pinches salt

• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

• 2 – 3 Tbs. roughly chopped cooked bacon ---- To be added during last few minutes of baking.

As the old expression goes, “Live and Learn’. I learned that finely chopping the cooked bacon was NOT the way to go, so I recommend doing a rough chop. Also, it’s better if the bacon is slightly crispy… not super crispy.

METHOD

In a large bowl mix 7 cups peeled, sliced apples, 1/3 cup sugar, 1/4 tsp. cinnamon, 3 pinches nutmeg, 1 Tbs. flour and 1/4 tsp. salt. Pour into a square baking pan.

Place 1/2 cup brown sugar, 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 4 Tbs cold butter (cut into small pieces) and 2 pinches salt in a medium bowl. Using a pastry cutter, or two knives, mix ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs. Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans. (Do NOT add the bacon!)

Sprinkle crumb mixture evenly over the sliced apples. Bake at 350F for 30 – 35 minutes. The apple filling should be bubbling and the topping should be browned.

Remember - If adding 2 – 3 Tbs. chopped cooked bacon – sprinkle it on 5 minutes before apples crisp is fully cooked. Enjoy!

http://ift.tt/2kxKM4H

bon appetit