THE best *caramel* apple crisp...really!

i know everyone has their own "best" recipes but i am quite certain i have discovered the magic mix for apple crisp with one of my favorites...caramel! after spending some time researching & tweaking a few recipes...this is what i came up with!

so here goes..

there are {3} parts to this crisp & i took the long route. my dad once said i would be a terrible short order cook...i am now seeing why he may think that!

{PART 1} - APPLE FILLING.

5 large granny smith apples - peeled, cored & thinly sliced.

1/2 cup white sugar

1 tablespoon instant vanilla pudding 

1 tablespoon cinnamon

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/4 liquid of your liking...apple cider, juice or just plain ol H2O.

ok, here's the important part. grab yourself a big bowl then toss in all the above. or place it all in a large ziploc bag. you want to marinate the apple filling while you prepare the other parts.  yep...marinate it! see {below} 

{PART 2} - HOMEMADE CARAMEL SAUCE. or if i lost you at "homemade" a container of caramel sundae topping will work just super too! but it's really quite easy to make!

over medium high heat...put 1 cup of white sugar in heavy bottom saucepan. as it begins to melt whisk in 1 stick of butter cut up into pats. as the mixture caramelizes remove from heat & SLOWLY add in 1 cup of whipping cream. (buy a PINT...use the rest for whipped topping). continue to whisk til smooth. move to back burner and let sit to thicken.  or if you're like me... proceed to lick every untensil that touched tasty caramel concoction {below} unitl clean. who needs a dishwasher? 

snap back to task at hand...

{PART 3} - CRUMBLE TOPPING.

two regular size boxes of vanilla instant pudding (TRUST ME)

1/2 cup flour.

1 cup of brown sugar

1 cup quick cook/instant oats

1 cup of butter softened and cut up into pats

take another bowl and mix above said ingredients. if you have a pastry cutter...that works great here...or take two forks and "cut" the mix together. {shown below} it will be pretty dry.

oh yes! preheat your oven to 350 degrees. should have mentioned sooner...but i never do this first since my prep can be a bit lengthy!

assembly as follows

* marinated apple filling FIRST

* THEN a healthy drizzling of your caramel mixture (about half of prepared sauce). 

* FINALLY the coating of "crumble".  you may have to break up into nuggets.

i used an 9x9 stoneware baker...i think it would work in an 8x8 but might get a little high when cooking. a 9x13 could also be used but it won't be as thick & hearty.  you decide! just be sure to grease your pan!

pop that honey into your preheated oven. middle rack. set timer for 45 minutes. pace around kitchen willing your stove to work faster so you can get you paws on the end result {below}. and let it cool a bit to "set-up". burning the roof of your mouth on scalding apples isn't much fun. just ask this impatient girl.

if you are feeling ambious at this point - take your remaining whipping cream and pour into a tall sided bowl. have your way at it with a mixer and sprinkle in some sugar and vanilla extract.  just play with it until you are happy with the flav. and don't forgot to top your masterpiece with the reserved caramel!

it didn't dawn on my to show a picture of the final plated product. who thinks of that when you dish up your first plate? certainly not i! so, here's what "round two" looked like {below}.

phew! i know...a bit long winded as is the case with most of my ramblings! but i am a visual girl and the pictures just make it much more enjoyable to read...i mean prepare...ummm...eat?! you get the point, right?!

i hope you get a chance one chilly day to make this dandy of a recipe for yourself & possibly your loved ones. as i mentioned in my last post...i did have the best of intentions of sharing! well, at least i shared the recipe! thanks for following this foodie on her baking journey!

remember the old saying about having an apple a day! though i am sure that the cream, butter and loads of sugar weren't calculated in that one! :)

happy eating!

Comments

[Kathleen]

I think I might need to stay home and bake today. I keep coming across some yummy recipes in blogland. This apple crisp sounds so delicious. Enjoy it!

Kathleen @ fadedcharm

[show & TELL . . .]

hey kathleen! delicious indeed! i hope you get to try it and enjoy for yourself!

happy day!
beth

[Sonya Dime Store Thrift]

Oh.My.Goodness...I already baked oatmeal cookies today but am now thinking I need this TOO!
Does it ship well, haha:) Hugs, Sonya

[show & TELL . . .]

you can't have enough baked goodies...especially this time of the year! you will love love love it...the vanilla pudding makes the crumble i think! i would happily ship you the pan...it will just be empty now! :) have a great one sonya!

[Cassie]

Thanks for sharing the recipe...looks great! Will have to trek through the snow to get the ingredients tomorrow!

[christinanmike@gmail.com]

wow that looks wonderful! thanks for sharing, can't wait to bake this one up !

[kimbo]

oh holy cow, i'm salivating on my keyboard. i've never seen a crisp with instant vanilla pudding. will be making this very soon. thanks for sharing.

[Robin]

I will try that on my girls for book club. That really looks gorgeous. Thanks!

[Claire]

This apple crisp was good!!! My first time to make an apple crisp and it was a success! We had lots of apples at work so I decided to make something. Although it was sweeter than how I like it, but it was yummm. I couldn't resist it when it came out of the oven so my husband and I immediately ate it. Brought it to work today and it was sold! I took few more apples since I don't want it go to waste to make some more. Uh-oh! More sugar rush!

[dining room table]

Just looks at the whole thing! This is really something so delicious!

[Jenna Schrock]

Wow, this dessert is really delicious! I've been so intrigued about this dessert for a year now. Hehe… Thank God, I found this blog. Now I know the process of making caramel apple crisps.

[corporate catering los angeles]

I like your recipes,when i made your recipes i just play with it until. I don't forgot to top your masterpiece with the reserved caramel,the best of intentions of sharing.