Boozy Apple Crisp for #tbtfood

I think there are two basic categories of throwback foods. There are the ones that are sort of horrifying that folks like to make fun of (Ham and Bananas Hollandaise, anyone?) And then there are the foods that, when we eat them, snap us back to a particular time and place and make us feel like a kid again. Apple crisp falls into the latter category. I don’t recall my mother making many apple crisps, although she made a lot of apple pies. What she did make though was baked apples, which she would sometimes top with streusel. As the apple skin dulled in the heat of the oven,  the flavor of the apple itself intensified as its texture softened. What came out of the oven, all bubbling and buttery, was like a self-contained apple crisp, bright and mellow, soft and crunchy. A perfect little portion. Serve it with some vanilla ice cream on top, and it’s right at home as part of my hot and cold desserts round up! My friend Barb from Creative Culinary shared one of her family’s favorite crisps just the other day. Her Pikes Peak Spiked Apple Crisp calls for Grand Marnier and Amaretto along with citrus zest and a touch of cinnamon. It sounds just about perfect. I didn’t own everything called for in her recipe, so I went with what I had, choosing also to substitute some rolled oats for part of the flour in the streusel. Because who doesn’t want a big buttery oatmeal cookie with their spiked apples, right? I also shot and edited a video of the whole crisp production, condensed into about a minute and a half. Please take a look, and pay particular attention to both the dish I made the crisp in and the lovely acacia wood bowls and plates I used for serving. The lovely folks at Pacific Merchants sent them to me to take for a test drive, and I love them. The Enamour baker is very retro-cool and is a great size for a fruit crisp. It’s also a bit more elegant than your standard Pyrex, and it’s right at home on the dining room table. The acacia wood bowls and plates are lightweight, smooth and just feel good in your  hand. They aren’t dishwasher-safe, but they wash up quickly and can air dry. Plus, they’re gorgeous, aren’t they?

In case you’re wondering why there are no gorgeous photos of my apple crisp, it’s because it’s gone. Yes, I made it yesterday. And yes, it’s gone. All of it. When I make some more, if I can contain myself I promise to photograph it. For now, you’ll just have to make your own boozy apple crisp and see for yourself! Thank you so much for spending some time with me today. Have a lovely day. And make some crisp.