Many Bad Apples Make a Really Good Crisp!!

Was I happy on Boxing Day to have enough leftovers to make two Turkey Pot Pies, and to have a crisp topping in the freezer to make a humongous Apple Crisp!!
That way we could just go to the beach and hang out!

Edie and sister Margaret at Cleveland Beach 

I have been working on developing a wholesome freezable fruit crisp topping over the past few months - and have come up with a great one!
During the winter and spring months when apples are kept in cold storage, they don't seem to keep well at home - so one ends up with many 'sub par' eating apples. An apple crisp is the perfect solution to using them up! And when you have unexpected dinner guests or just feel like a treat - you can whip up a wholesome dessert quickly when you have the crisp topping already prepared in the freezer.

Here is how I recommend you make it:

Take all of your 'bad apples' out of the fridge and have two 'good apples'  peel and slice them into a baking dish.

Two good apples: William and his cousin Luke peeling apples.
Mom overseeing production!

Next, have the two handsome boys squeeze a fresh lemon and sprinkle the juice over apples. Add a healthy dose of cinnamon, a couple of pinches of cardamom (optional) and a sprinkling of white or brown sugar.Try to go easy on the sugar here - although you do need some to help the apples break down and become soft.

Throw in some cranberries cuz it's Christmas and they are so good for you!!

Handsome cousins putting the frozen crisp topping over the apples

Then, grab your crisp topping out of the freezer and crumble it over the top!! I used two portions of the crisp topping for this large casserolle pan. (Does anyone else have trouble spelling caserolle???)
Put in a 400 oven for about 30 minutes or until the apples pierce easily with a fork and the top is golden.
Serve warm or cold and perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!! Yummeeeeasy!!

Boxing Day Meal with Handsome Fellas - aren't you envious!!
Will, Luke, Mike, Lauchlin, tennis buddy Rory and me.
Mom and Margaret dined earlier...

Big Batch Wholesome Crisp Topping


Makes about 6 cups of crisp topping - enough for 4 average size apple crisps

1 cup butter (room temperature)
1/2 cup canola oil
2 cups brown sugar
2 tbsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp ground cardamom (optional)
1 cup ground flaxseed
1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour (or other flour: spelt, oat, etc)
4 cups oats (not instant)

Mix the butter, oil and brown sugar together in a large mixing bowl.
Add the cinnamon and cardamom, mix.
Mix in the ground flaxseed and flour.
Add the oats one cup at a time while mixing.

Divide the mixture into 4 freezer bags and put in the freezer. You can also use a portion right away if desired. When you are ready to make a crisp, take out a bag from the freezer and crumble over your prepared apples or other combinations of fruit ( berries, pears, peaches, etc...). Bake at 400 for about 30 minutes.

Bella says: " Christmas is exhausting...I need a break!"