Cinnamon Caramel Crumble

Cinnamon Caramel Crumble, Fresh out of the oven.

Recently I had seen a post somewhere about the book: “Small Sweet Treats: Sassy, Savory and Sweet” by Marguerite Henderson.  Following the link to amazon, I found that the book has a nice preview. Always a sucker for a good preview, I got to looking around in the book and came across this recipe for Cinnamon Caramel Crumble.  It sounded divine. This book looks to be a keeper and certainly will go on my wish/want list. Go take a peek. Find my notes for this recipe at the bottom of the post.

Cinnamon Caramel Crumble

Slightly adapted by: Small Sweet Treats: Sassy, Savory, & Sweet

By: Marguerite Henderson

This crumble captures the flavors of an Autumn day at the farmstand- apples and pears baked with citrus and caramely brown sugar and topped with a crumbly cinnamon layer.  It’s a perfect fall confection craving satisfaction. Marguerite Henderson.

4 Granny Smith Apples, peeled, cored & thinly sliced

2 D’ Anjou Pears, peeled, cored & thinly sliced

Juice & Zest of 1 Lemon

3/4 Cup Brown Sugar

3 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter, cut in pieces

2 Tbsp. Cornstarch

1 tsp. Salt

Crumble Topping:

1 Cup All Purpose Flour

1 Cup Quick Cooing Oats (I used Granola)

4 Tbsp. Unsalted butter, cut into pieces

1 cup Chopped Walnuts (Personal preference, I left this out)

1/4  Cup Brown Sugar

1 tsp. Ground Cinnamon

Raisins, Optional (I added these, per request from my hubby)

Vanilla Ice or Whipped Cream

Directions:

Combine the apples, pears, lemon juice, zest, sugar, butter, cornstarch, and salt (and raisins if you’re adding these) in a bowl and mix well; transfer to eight individual baking dishes or 1 cup ramekins.  In a bowl, combine all topping ingredients except the ice cream and crumble with your hands or a pastry cutter to make sure it is well mixed.  Spoon crumble evenly over the apples in the ramekins.  Set ramekins on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated 375 degree F. oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown.  Serve topped with vanilla ice cream or shipped cream.

Notes:  This dessert is so quick & easy to put together. Tasty too.  I thought, it had a little too much lemon, and I will cut back on that next time, probably omitting the zest to allow for more of the apple flavor then the lemon. This is just a personal preference. Overall, this dessert was delicious and I would definitely make this again.  Vanilla Ice Cream is mandatory! (Grin)

Apple Crisp & Cinnamon Ice Cream

I thought a good Cinnamon Ice Cream and the crisp would go quite nice with each other. Apple Crisp is Soooooo Easy. Really, 10 minutes and your house will be smelling like Autumn Comfort!!! uh, even if  it’s spring. Who can resist the smell?   If your making the Ice Cream with it, Consider doing the Ice Cream the night before, and  finishing it up in the morning.

Cinnamon Ice Cream

1 1/2 Cups Half & Half
1 Cup Sugar
Mix together in a sauce pan on medium heat, until steaming.
In the meantime, in a 2 cup measuring cup, place 5 egg yolks, and beat for about 2 minutes until light and lemony colored. Scoop 1 Cup of the milk mixture and whisking constantly, add the milk to the egg yolks. Pour the yolk mixture back into the pan and cook the mixture until slightly thick and coats the back of a spoon.  Add 1 1/2 cups of Heavy Cream, 2 tsp. Cinnamon, and 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract. Stir well. Cool completely and place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or overnight.  Pour the mixture into your ice cream container, (stir in a cup of Hershey’s Cinnamon chips here too, they’re wonderful in this) and mix according to manufactures direction. Serve with Apple Crisp.

Apple Crisp

Here’s how I make my Apple Crisp. It’s easy, fast and yummy!!
Take 4 large apples, peel, core and cut into desired slices. Take 1 Tbsp. Lemon juice and coat the apples with the lemon juice, stirring till well mixed. Spray an 8X8 pan with cooking spray, pour in the apples. Sprinkle apples with a 1/2 cup of raisins, if desired.   In a Medium bowl, combine 3/4 cup Brown sugar, 1/2 Cup All purpose Flour, 1/2 Cup Oats (or use Granola if you’de like, I did, it’s extra yummy) 1 tsp. Cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. Nutmeg and 1/3 cup of softened butter. Mix well, until mixture resembles small peas. (I use my hands, and just work the mixture with my finger tips.) Sprinkle over apples and Bake at 375 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until crisp is browned and apples are tender. Serve Apple Crisp warm with Cinnamon Ice Cream. Doesn’t get much better than this!!