Apple Crumb Dessert

 

                This is another apple dessert that is perfect for a family brunch or any other time when a quick-to-prepare, slow-to-bake, homey finale is called for. The topping is truly crunchy and crisp, with soft cooked fruit beneath.

One 8-inch square dessert

• 1 teaspoon unsalted butter, softened, for buttering the dish

The filling

• 6 apples, about 2½ pounds, such as Ida Red, Macoun, or other baking apples that are not too sweet
• 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1½ tablespoons cornstarch
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

The crumb topping

• ½ cup unbleached all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon grated lemon zest
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon ground mace
• Pinch of salt
• 4 tablespoons (½ stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch pieces

1. Preheat the oven to 350F (180C) ; butter an 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish with the teaspoon of butter.

The filling

1. Wash the apples carefully and pat them dry ; cut each apple into quarters and with a small paring knife remove the core from each wedge ; slice each quarter into 3 pieces.
2. In a large bowl, toss the apple slices with the lemon juice.
3. In a small bowl, stir together the sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon ; add the sugar mixture to the apples and toss until the slices are evenly coated.

The crumb topping

1. In the food processor fitted with the steel blade, combine flour, sugars, lemon zest, spices, and salt ; add the butter and process until the mixture forms fine crumbs.
2. To prepare by hand, in a medium bowl, combine well all the dry ingredients and the lemon zest ; use your finger tips to cut in the butter until the dry ingerdients are incorporated and the topping forms fine crumbs.

The finale

1. Spoon the apples and any juices that has accumulated into the prepared baking dish ; with your hands, gently press the apples down to make as level a surface as possible.
2. Sprinkle the crumb topping over the apples.
3. Bake the dessert for about 1 hour, until the juices are bubbling and the crumb toppingis lightly brown.
4. Let the dessert cool on a wire rack ; serve slightly warm or chilled.

BON APPÉTIT