Tag: oats

APPLE CRISP

The best Apple Crisp is warm, fragrant, sweet, and full of delicious spices, and this recipe has it all! Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly winning combination!

A few things clearly announce the arrival of fall: colorful leaves, cozy sweaters, crisp cool air, pumpkin spice everything…and apples. Think apple picking, caramel apples, apple cider, and of course, apple crisp. Apple crisp is one of those “must-have” fall recipes. Since apple season runs from late July through November, fall is the ideal time to get the best and sweetest tasting apples.

Thanks to our modern storage techniques, we can enjoy most varieties of apples year-round! Though apples are at their best freshly picked, you can still get delicious apples pretty much whenever you want. So you don’t have to wait for fall to enjoy your favorite apple recipes.

You’ll discover you have a lot of apples to choose from.  It can be overwhelming to know which variety of apples to choose. And it does matter; some apples are better for baking, some for eating raw, and some for apple butter and apple sauces. So I’ve included a chart that will help you select an appropriate apple for how you intend to use it. But even this isn’t etched in stone. I have used honey crisp apples for baking many times, and I’m always happy with how they turn out. So use this as a guide to help your apple recipes turn out amazing!!

When choosing an apple, you want the best of the bunch. Choose apples that are firm with shiny skin and don’t have bruising or dents. Avoid the overripe ones as they taste mealy. Bruised apples give off an ethylene gas that promotes ripening, which may cause foods around them to spoil (so clean out your fridge often!). Store your apples in a cool, dry place or in a paper bag in the refrigerator for up to one month.

For this Recipe:

  • Start by peeling your apples and cutting them uniformly. I try to cut mine to 1/4 inch thick. You don’t want them too thin, or they will become too soft when baked. On the other hand, if they are too thick, they may not soften enough.
  • Place the cut apples in a bowl and toss with 1 teaspoon of vanilla.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and ginger. Add the apples and stir to coat.
  • Spread the apples evenly in the 9×13 dish.

Topping:

  • Whisk together the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a small bowl. Using a whisk or fork helps to break up any clumps.

  • Melt the butter and add it to the flour mixture. Using a fork, mix until coarse crumbs form. I find that using a fork allows you to mix and fluff simultaneously. You don’t want large clumps in your topping.

  • Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples. It’s easiest to use your fingers to sprinkle the topping over the apples, breaking up any larger clumps as you go.

  • Bake for 40 minutes or until apples are tender and the top is lightly browned.

Serve while warm with a side of vanilla ice cream for a perfect fall dessert!

Apple Crisp

The best Apple Crisp is warm, fragrant, sweet, and full of delicious spices, and this recipe has it all! Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly winning combination!
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 12 servings

Ingredients
 

  • 8 cups apples (about 5-6 apples), peeled and sliced
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 4 tablespoons flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ginger

Topping:

  • 1 cup flour
  • 2 cups old fashion oats
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup butter, melted

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
  • Peel and cut apples into ¼ inch think pieces and put into a medium bowl. Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla to the apples, and stir to coat evenly. Set aside.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and ginger. Add to the apples and stir to coat. Spread the apples evenly in the prepared 9x13 dish.

Topping:

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  • Melt the butter and add it to the flour mixture. Using a fork, mix until coarse crumbs form.
  • Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples.
    **It's easiest to use your fingers to sprinkle the topping over the apples, breaking up any larger clumps as you go.
  • Bake for 40 minutes or until apples are tender and the top is lightly browned.
  • Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream

Notes

Best Apples for Baking: Granny Smith, Brauburn, Pink Lady, or Cortland.
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CAMPFIRE APPLE CRISP

Look out s’mores; you’ve got competition! This just might become your new favorite campfire dessert! So whether you are camping in the woods or gathered around a fire pit in your backyard, you can enjoy the warm, comforting flavor of apple crisp. 

Our family loves to go camping, and I mean hard-core tent camping where all of your food is cooked over a campfire! And every year, I try to keep the food interesting by thinking outside the box. Of course, S’mores are a given, and my kids would be really bummed if I left them out. But I like to add something new and different to keep it interesting (and keep them guessing)! So last year, I surprised my family with campfire apple crisp. My favorite comment of the evening was, “This is the fanciest camping dessert I’ve ever had!” I call that success!

Campfire apple crisp is not just for camping but will also work great for those fun evenings when you are gathered around your backyard fire pit or grilling with friends and family.

You can prepare the ingredients ahead of time and pack them in the cooler to put together at camp or make them right away for your backyard gathering. Either way, these are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!

How to make Campfire Apple Crisp:

You’ll Need:

  • Heavy-duty aluminum foil
  • Apples, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
  • lemon juice, **only if making ahead of time**
  • Brown sugar
  • Cinnamon

For the Topping:

  • Brown Sugar
  • Flour
  • Quick-cooking oats
  • Cinnamon
  • Nutmeg
  • Baking powder
  • Melted butter

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Tear off four sheets of aluminum foil, about 8-inches x 12-inches. Set aside.
  • Peel and cut the apples into ¼-inch slices. Set aside.

  • Mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon. Then sprinkle the mixture on the sliced apples, stirring to coat the apples evenly.

  • Evenly divide the apples between the four pieces of aluminum foil.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together the brown sugar, flour, oatmeal, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking powder.
  • Add the melted butter and stir with a fork, fluffing the topping as you stir. Stir until the butter is evenly distributed and the topping is completely moist.

  • Evenly sprinkle the topping on the top of the apples.

Baking the Crisp:

  • Fold each of the foil packets up and seal.

  • Place on the grate over the campfire or on a pre-heated grill. Bake for about 20 – 30 minutes. The apple crisp is done when the topping is golden brown and the apples are soft. If you don’t have a grate over your fire, place the packets next to the coals (not in the coals), and rotate every 5 minutes until done, to help them cook evenly,

  • Carefully open the foil packets (be careful of the escaping steam) and top with ice cream if desired.

To Prepare Ahead of Time (to take on a camping trip):

If you are planning to make the apple crisp while camping, I suggest preparing all your ingredients ahead of time at home and assembling the crisp packets right before baking them at camp. The instructions are pretty much the same, except you will put everything in separate airtight containers until ready to assemble. You will also want to add a little lemon juice to the apples to prevent them from browning.

  • Cut up the apples and sprinkle with 2-3 teaspoons of lemon juice, toss to coat. Store in an airtight container and place in the cooler. The lemon juice helps to keep the apples from browning.
  • Place brown sugar and cinnamon mixture in a small airtight container.
  • Follow the instructions for making the topping. And also store in an airtight container.
  • When you are ready to bake the apple crisp, drain off any liquid in the apples, then mix the sugar and cinnamon with the apples. Next, divide the apples evenly over four (8-inch x 12-inch) foil sheets. Then, evenly divide the topping amongst the four packets, seal, and bake as instructed.

Campfire Apple Crisp

Look out s'mores; you've got competition! This just might become your new favorite campfire dessert! So whether you are camping in the woods or gathered around a fire pit in your backyard, you can enjoy the warm, comforting flavor of apple crisp. 
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
 

  • 4 cups apples (2 to 3 large apples), peeled and cut into ¼-inch thick slices
  • 2-3 teaspoons lemon juice, **only if making ahead of time, see instructions**
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Topping:

  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup flour
  • ¾ cup quick-cooking oats
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ cup butter, melted
  • Aluminum Foil, heavy-duty

Instructions
 

  • Tear off four sheets of aluminum foil, about 8-inches x 12-inches. Set aside.
  • Peel and cut the apples into ¼-inch slices. Set aside.
  • Mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon. Then sprinkle the mixture on the sliced apples, stirring to coat the apples evenly.
  • Evenly divide the apples between the four pieces of aluminum foil.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together the brown sugar, flour, oatmeal, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking powder.
  • Add the melted butter and stir with a fork, fluffing the topping as you stir. Stir until the butter is evenly distributed and the topping is completely moist.
  • Evenly sprinkle the topping on the top of the apples.

Baking the Crisp:

  • Fold each of the foil packets up and seal. Place on the grate over the campfire or on a preheated grill. Bake for about 20 minutes. The apple crisp is done when the topping is golden brown and the apples are soft.
  • Carefully open the foil packets (be careful of the escaping steam) and top with ice cream if desired.

**To Prepare Ahead of Time (to take on a camping trip):**

  • Cut up the apples and sprinkle with 2-3 teaspoons of lemon juice, toss to coat. Store in an airtight container.
  • Place brown sugar and cinnamon mixture in a small airtight container.
  • Follow the instructions above for making the topping. And also store in a separate airtight container.
  • When you are ready to bake the apple crisp, drain off any liquid in the apples, then mix the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture with the apples. Next, divide the apples evenly over four (8-inch x 12-inch) foil sheets. Finally, evenly divide the topping amongst the four packets, seal, and bake as instructed above.

Notes

For best results and even cooking, place the foil packets on a grate above the coals or use a grill. Don't place the apple crisp directly in the coals as the extreme heat will burn the crisp. If you don't have a grate for the fire, you can place the foil packets next to the fire or coals and rotate the foils every 5 minutes to evenly cook the crisp. 
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NO-BAKE COOKIES

These delicious classic no-bake cookies are incredibly easy to make with only a few ingredients. Loaded with the perfect combination of cocoa powder, peanut butter, and oats, you’ll find yourself reaching for seconds…or thirds.

These classic no-bake cookies are amazing! Something about the combination of chocolate, peanut butter, and oatmeal makes these hard to resist. This is definitely one of those cookies that you can’t have just one of, which makes them dangerous! They are also my husband’s favorite cookie. I know this because he tells me that a lot. I think it’s his way of hinting that he is craving them. But I am happy to oblige because they are so easy to make!

One of the best parts about these cookies is how easy they are to make. You likely have all the ingredients on hand; if not, they are easy to find. All you need is about 20 minutes to whip up a batch, and then the hard part…waiting for them to cool. Nobody will judge you if you sneak one before they are completely cool though.

The Ingredients:

  • Butter: I prefer butter in this recipe because it tastes better than margarine. Also, margarine has water in it that could affect the cookie’s ability to set up correctly.
  • Milk: Any milk will work in this recipe! I typically use 2%, but whole milk, 1%, skim, or even non-dairy milk like almond milk will work.
  • Granulated Sugar: This sweetens the cookies and helps them set up.
  • Salt: In small amounts, salt reduces bitterness but increases sweetness, which is desirable for sweet recipes.  
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: This adds a delicious chocolate flavor to these cookies. Natural unsweetened or Dutch-process cocoa powder both work great.
  • Peanut Butter: I recommend using a no-stir peanut butter like Jif or Skippy. My personal preference is to use crunchy peanut butter; I love the crunch of the peanut chunks, but creamy peanut butter is fine too!
  • Vanilla Extract: For a bit of flavor.
  • Oats: I find that quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats work just fine. Many of the recipes will tell you not to use old-fashioned whole oats, but I have used both, and either work for this recipe (more on this below). 

The Debate, Old-Fashioned Oats Vs. Quick-Cooking Oats:

So many of the recipes for No-Bake Cookies tell you that you can not use Old-Fashioned oats for this recipe. But you’ll occasionally come across a recipe that tells you that you can use old-fashioned oats and that the cookies are better if you do. It can get confusing! I have used both, and I like both, but I decided to break down the difference for you, and then you can decide. 

First, what is the difference between the two types of oats? Old-fashioned oats, sometimes called rolled oats, have been steamed and then rolled flat. They require a longer cooking/baking time and create a chewier texture in baking. Quick oats are rolled oats that have been steamed, rolled flat, and then cut into smaller pieces. They’re more uniform in size than large flake oats, and as the name suggests, they cook more quickly because they’re smaller. However, they provide less texture than large flake oats.

I have made these No-Bakes using both types of oats. With the old-fashioned oats, you will get a slightly chewier cookie with more texture, but not so much that they are unenjoyable. They do take a little longer to set up as the oats take longer to soften and absorb the moisture in the mixture. But you will still have a delicious cookie that’s hard to resist.

Using the quick-cooking oats will yield a less chewy cookie. The oats soften more quickly, which creates a softer cookie with less texture. The cookies also set up a little quicker as the quick-cooking oats absorb the moister more readily. 

Overall, either type of oats works well and yields a delicious cookie. I lean a little more towards the quick-cooking oats because of the softer, less chewy texture, but if all I had on hand were old-fashioned oats, I would use those and still be happy with the fantastic results. 

Making No-Bakes:

  • Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.
  • In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, combine sugar, milk, butter, salt, and cocoa. Stir until the butter has melted.

  • Bring the mixture to a full boil and allow it to boil for 1½ minutes, stirring constantly. This step is what causes the cookies to set up as they cool, so make sure it comes to a full boil and boils for the entire 1½ minutes. Immediately remove the pan from the heat when the time is up.

  • Add the peanut butter and vanilla and stir until the peanut butter is melted and fully incorporated.
  • Add the oats and stir to combine. Allow the mixture to cool for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring a couple of times. This allows the oats to absorb some moisture and prevents the cookies from spreading too much on the pan.

  • Drop cookies onto the prepared baking sheets using a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop or a spoon. If desired, flatten the cookies slightly with the bottom of a glass or measuring cup.

  • Allow to cool completely. The cookies will firm up as they cool.
    *To cool quicker, place the pan of cookies in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
  • Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

No-Bake Cookies

These delicious classic no-bake cookies are incredibly easy to make with only a few ingredients. Loaded with the perfect combination of cocoa powder, peanut butter, and oats, you'll find yourself reaching for seconds…or thirds.
4.82 from 11 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course cookies
Servings 24 Cookies

Ingredients
 

  • 1½ cups sugar
  • ½ cup milk
  • ½ cup butter
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup chunky peanut butter
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 3 cups quick-cooking oats or old-fashioned whole oats **See notes

Instructions
 

  • Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.
  • In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, combine sugar, milk, butter, salt, and cocoa. Stir until the butter has melted. Bring the mixture to a full boil and allow to boil for 1½ minutes, stirring constantly. Immediately remove the pan from the heat.
  • Add the peanut butter and vanilla and stir until the peanut butter is melted and fully incorporated.
  • Add the oats and stir to combine. Allow the mixture to cool for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring a few times. This allows the oats to absorb some of the moisture so the cookies don't spread out too much.
  • Using a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop or a spoon, drop cookies onto the prepared baking sheets. If desired, flatten the cookies slightly with the bottom of a glass or measuring cup.
  • Allow to cool completely. The cookies will firm up as they cool.
    *To cool quicker, place the pan of cookies in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
  • Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Notes

Freezing Instructions: Once the cookies have cooled completely, store them in a large freezer bag or freezer-friendly storage container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw the cookies to room temperature before serving. After they have thawed, keep them in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
 
Quick-Cooking Oats Vs. Old-Fashioned oats:
I have made these No-Bakes using both types of oats. With the old-fashioned oats, you will get a slightly chewier cookie, but not so much that they are unenjoyable. They take a little longer to set up as the oats take longer to soften and absorb the moisture in the no-bake mixture. But you will still have a delicious cookie that’s hard to resist.
Using the quick-cooking oats will yield a less chewy cookie. The oats soften more quickly, which creates a softer cookie. The cookies also set up a little quicker as the quick-cooking oats absorb the moister more readily. 
Overall, either type of oats works well and yields a delicious cookie. I lean a little more to the quick-cooking oats because of the softer, less chewy texture, but if all I had on hand were old-fashioned oats, I would use those and still be happy with the results. 
 
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CHERRY VANILLA CRISP

This dessert combines the sweet, tart taste of fresh cherries with the distinct flavor of vanilla. It’s a dessert that pairs perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You just might find yourself counting the days until the next cherry season!

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, fresh cherries were easy to come by. The cherry season would start around the first week of June and last until late August. So that meant my summers were full of eating sweet, tart cherries and having pit spitting contests with my brothers out in the backyard! I was pretty good, too (it’s all about the arc).

My favorite cherries are Rainier cherries, with their bright yellow and red skins and super sweet flavor. Though we no longer live in the Pacific Northwest, we still look forward to the cherry season. They are more expensive here in Hawaii and not quite as fresh, but they still remind me of home. So I always buy two bags, one for eating (and spitting the pits) and one for baking. And this recipe is one of our “must-make” recipes for cherry season! I think it will become yours too!

I like to use bing cherries or other dark red varieties for this recipe. This recipe does take almost 4 pounds of cherries. And I highly recommend buying extra cherries just to eat; otherwise, you may find yourself smacking hands trying to snatch the cherries you need for the dessert.

Pitting the Cherries:

Before making the dessert, you need to pit the cherries (remove the pits). I call it a labor of love, and it’s so worth it!! The easiest way I find to remove the pits is to cut the cherry almost in half, using a small knife but leaving the cherry intact. Then pop out the pit with my thumb. They make cherry pitters, but I can’t attest to how well they work. Of course, if you do not like pitting cherries by hand, you could always purchase a pitter.

Making Cherry Crisp

Once the cherries are pitted, this recipe comes together quickly. The steps for this dessert are as follows:

  • Add the pitted cherries to a large bowl and mix with sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, flour, and salt. The flour helps thicken up any cherry juice.
  • Transfer the cherries to the prepared baking dish.

The Topping:

  • In a medium bowl, mix flour, oats, sugar, salt, and cinnamon until thoroughly combined.
  • Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Then using a pastry blender, pastry cutter, or fork, work the butter into the dry ingredients until everything is moist and resembles coarse crumbs.
  • Sprinkle over the top of the cherries.
  • Bake until the filling is bubbling and the topping is golden brown, about 50 to 60 minutes.
  • Let it cool slightly before serving. Then, serve with vanilla ice cream, and enjoy!

Cherry Vanilla Crisp

This dessert combines the sweet, tart taste of fresh cherries with the distinct flavor of vanilla. It's a dessert that pairs perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You just might find yourself counting the days until the next cherry season!
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 12 servings

Ingredients
 

  • 7-8 cups pitted cherries, about 4 pounds
  • ⅔ cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla
  • 2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • ¼ salt

Topping

  • 1 cup flour
  • 2 cups oats
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup butter, melted

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Prepare a 13 x 9-inch pan by lightly greasing the bottom and sides.
  • Add the pitted cherries to a large bowl and mix with sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, flour, and salt.
  • Transfer cherries to the prepared baking dish.

Topping

  • In a medium bowl, mix flour, oats, sugars, salt, and cinnamon until completely combined.
  • Melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Then using a pastry blender or pastry cutter, work the butter into the dry ingredients until everything is moist and resembles coarse crumbs.
  • Sprinkle evenly over the top of the cherries.
  • Bake until the filling is bubbling and the topping is golden brown, about 50 to 60 minutes.
  • Let it cool slightly before serving. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

Notes

If you don’t have a cherry pitter, the easiest way to pit cherries is to cut the cherry with a small knife, going halfway around the pit, leaving the cherry intact. Using your fingers, dislodge the pit. 
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