Apple Crisp

Apple crisp is one of those delicious things you can enjoy at almost any time of the year, but is especially nice in the fall when the weather starts to get a little bit colder. Nothing warms you up like a bit of fresh apple crisp with that crunchy, crumbly topping and the taste of cinnamon and apples. This recipe, adapted from All Recipes, can be made with any fruits you like, whether it's apples, pears, peaches or any other fruit.

INGREDIENTS

8 cups apples, peeled, cored and sliced

1/2 cup white sugar

1 tablespoon flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup water

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup flour

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup butter, melted

STEPS

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the apple slices in a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Mix the white sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and sprinkle over the apples. Pour the water evenly over top.
• In a medium-sized bowl, combine the rolled oats, 1 cup flour, brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and melted butter together to form the crumble. Sprinkle evenly over the apple mixture.
• Bake at 350 degrees F for 40 to 45 minutes.

The apple crisp can be enjoyed by itself or with ice cream and caramel sauce.

Pumpkin Muffins

In keeping with the season, I decided to make something from pumpkin puree. I'll admit, I used canned pumpkin this time, but I have a sugar pumpkin waiting for me to make puree out of it. I plan to make a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving next weekend and will post about it later.

But anyway, I made pumpkin muffins and used some of the apple sauce I made earlier.

Pumpkin Spice Muffins
2 cups pumpkin puree

4 eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup apple sauce

2/3 cup water

3/4 cup white sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

3 1/2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease 2 muffin tins or line them with paper muffin cups.
2. In the mixer bowl, combine pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water, and the sugars until mixed together.
3. In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and spices.
4. Stir the flour mixture into the pumpkin mixture at a slow speed and just until mixed in.
5. Spoon into the muffin cups and bake for 30 - 35 minutes.

These are great breakfast muffins. If you like, you can add chopped nuts or dried fruit to the recipe or you can drizzle with a citrus glaze.