Apple-Walnut Crisp

🍏🥧🌰

Apple-Walnut Crisp is a delightful dessert that combines the sweet and tart flavors of baked apples with the crunchy goodness of walnuts, all topped with a crisp and buttery oat-based topping. It’s a comforting and satisfying dessert that’s perfect for any time of the year, but especially popular during the fall when apples are in season.

History:
The history of apple crisp dates back to early American settlers who adapted traditional European fruit crumble recipes with the ingredients available to them. The name “crisp” comes from the crispy and crunchy topping that forms as it bakes.

Components:

1. Apples: The star of the show! You’ll need about 4-6 medium-sized apples, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, peeled, cored, and sliced.
2. Walnuts: Roughly chopped walnuts add a rich nutty flavor and crunch to the dessert.
3. Sugar: Both granulated sugar and brown sugar are used to sweeten the apples and the topping.
4. Cinnamon and Nutmeg: These spices give the dessert a warm and cozy flavor.
5. Lemon Juice: A bit of lemon juice helps to brighten the flavor of the apples and prevents browning.
6. Flour: Used in the topping to provide structure.
7. Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: These oats make the topping crispy and hearty.
8. Butter: Cold butter is cut into the dry ingredients to create the crisp topping.

Steps to Prepare:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Prepare the Apples: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss until the apples are well coated.

3. Make the Topping: In another bowl, mix together the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Cut the cold butter into small pieces and add it to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.

4. Assemble: Transfer the sugared apples to a greased baking dish. Sprinkle the chopped walnuts over the apples. Then, evenly distribute the oat topping over the apples and walnuts.

5. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 40-45 minutes or until the topping is golden brown, and the apples are tender and bubbling.

6. Serve: Let the apple-walnut crisp cool slightly before serving. It’s delicious on its own or topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Time Needed:
The preparation and baking time for apple-walnut crisp typically take around 1 hour from start to finish. This can vary slightly depending on your oven and the thickness of your apple slices. It’s a relatively simple and quick dessert to make, making it a perfect choice for a cozy weeknight treat or a special occasion. Enjoy! 🍏🥧🌰😊

Certainly, here are the nutrition facts and some health information for Apple-Walnut Crisp:

Nutrition Facts (Approximate, per serving):

• Calories: 300-350 calories
• Total Fat: 10-15 grams
  • Saturated Fat: 4-5 grams
• Cholesterol: 15-20 milligrams
• Sodium: 50-70 milligrams
• Total Carbohydrates: 50-60 grams
  • Dietary Fiber: 4-6 grams
  • Sugars: 30-40 grams
• Protein: 2-4 grams
• Vitamin C: 10-15% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Calcium: 2-4% DV
• Iron: 6-8% DV

Health Information:

1. Calories: Apple-Walnut Crisp is a moderately calorie-dense dessert, so it’s best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

2. Total Fat: The dish contains a moderate amount of fat, primarily from the butter in the topping and the walnuts. While fat is an essential nutrient, it’s important to be mindful of portion sizes.

3. Saturated Fat: Saturated fat content is moderate. Limiting saturated fat intake is recommended for heart health.

4. Cholesterol: The dessert contains a small amount of cholesterol, primarily from the butter. Keep in mind your daily cholesterol intake goals.

5. Sodium: The sodium content is relatively low, which is good for those watching their sodium intake.

6. Total Carbohydrates: The majority of the calories come from carbohydrates, mainly from sugars in the apples and added sugars in the recipe.

7. Dietary Fiber: There is some dietary fiber present, primarily from the apples and oats in the topping. Fiber is beneficial for digestion and can help you feel fuller for longer.

8. Sugars: Apple-Walnut Crisp can be high in sugar due to the natural sugars in the apples and added sugars in the recipe. Excessive sugar intake should be limited for overall health.

9. Vitamin C: Apples are a good source of vitamin C, which supports the immune system and skin health.

10. Calcium and Iron: The dessert provides a small amount of calcium and iron, but it’s not a significant source of these minerals.

In summary, while Apple-Walnut Crisp can be a delicious treat, it’s important to consume it in moderation, especially if you are mindful of your calorie, sugar, and saturated fat intake. Consider incorporating it into a balanced diet to enjoy its flavors while being aware of its nutritional content.