Easy Apple Crisp

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, diced into small cubes
• 2 lbs Granny Smith apples
• 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 3 Tbsp water
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup light-brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch salt

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees, and set the rack 1 level under the middle position. Butter an 8 by 8 inch baking dish, or use a small casserole dish with about the same capacity, and put it aside.
2. In a mixing bowl, whisk the 1/2 cup flour with the oats, 1/2 cup brown sugar, baking powder, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp salt for 30 seconds. Drop in the diced butter, then use clean fingertips to work it into the dry ingredients until you have little crumbly bits. Slide the bowl into the refrigerator while you handle the apples.
3. In a small mixing bowl, whisk the melted butter with the flour until smooth and combined. Add the water, lemon juice, and vanilla, then mix in the 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and pinch of salt.
4. Put the apples in a large bowl. Pour the butter mixture over them and toss until the slices are coated all over, then turn the apples into the prepared dish and spread them out evenly.
5. Take the chilled topping from the refrigerator and scatter it in crumbles across the apples.
6. Bake at 375 degrees until the topping is browned and a toothpick slides into the apples easily, about 35 minutes. Pull the crisp from the oven and let it sit for 10 minutes before serving. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream and salted caramel sauce if desired.