As the cool breeze of autumn settles in, there’s nothing quite like the smell of a warm apple crisp wafting through the kitchen to bring comfort and coziness to your home. Apple crisp, with its mix of tart apples, crunchy pecans, and a perfectly spiced crumb topping, is a classic dessert that embodies all the flavors of fall. This recipe takes it a step further by adding cane syrup—a rich and flavorful Louisiana staple—making this dish from Louisiana Cookin even more decadent. Whether you’re preparing a dessert for a family gathering or simply indulging in a treat on a chilly evening, this apple crisp will leave everyone craving for more.

Ingredients:

• 3 medium Honeycrisp apples, chopped
• 2 medium Granny Smith apples, chopped
• ⅓ cup chopped pecans
• ⅓ cup old-fashioned oats
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 2 tablespoons vanilla bean paste
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F, ensuring it’s hot and ready to go when you finish preparing the apple crisp.
2. In a large mixing bowl, toss together the chopped apples (both Honeycrisp and Granny Smith) with flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla bean paste, lemon juice, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. Stir everything together until the apples are well coated, then let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes. This will allow the apples to release some of their juices, which will help create a flavorful filling.
3. Melt butter in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the apple mixture and cook it for about 5 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently. The apples should begin to soften, and the juices will start to thicken into a syrup-like consistency. After that, stir in the reserved two cups of apples, which will add some extra texture to the filling.
4. While the apple mixture is cooking, prepare the topping. In a small bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, pecans, oats, vanilla bean paste, salt, and cinnamon. Use your fingertips to work in the cold, cubed butter until the mixture forms small clumps. Squeeze the mixture into small and large chunks and refrigerate until you’re ready to use it.
5. Pour the apple mixture into the skillet and sprinkle the Pecan Crisp Topping evenly over the top. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling. Allow the crisp to rest for 15 minutes before serving.
6. Before serving, drizzle the warm apple crisp with a generous amount of cane syrup. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgence.

While apple crisp is undoubtedly the star of the show, you can serve it with a variety of side dishes to create a well-rounded meal. Consider pairing it with a simple green salad dressed with vinaigrette to balance out the sweetness of the dessert. If you’re serving it as part of a brunch spread, cinnamon rolls or buttermilk biscuits would be a great accompaniment. For a heartier meal, you could offer roasted chicken or pork as the main dish, with the apple crisp acting as a sweet finish.

This apple crisp with cane syrup is a delicious way to celebrate the flavors of fall. The combination of tart apples, warm spices, and a crunchy topping makes it the perfect comfort food for cooler weather. The addition of cane syrup elevates this classic dessert, giving it a Southern twist that will leave your taste buds wanting more. Whether served alone or paired with a scoop of ice cream, this apple crisp is sure to become a staple in your autumn recipe rotation.

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