Vermont's Best Apple Crisp: A Taste of Fall

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Vermont, known for its rolling hills, vibrant fall foliage, and sweet maple syrup, has another claim to fame: its apples. When autumn arrives in Vermont, the air is crisp, the leaves are vibrant, and orchards across the state burst with juicy apples. There’s no better way to celebrate this bounty than with a classic apple crisp, a dessert that perfectly captures the essence of a Vermont fall.

The Sweet Taste of Vermont's Apple Harvest

An apple crisp is a quintessential dessert that brings together the sweet, tangy flavors of fresh apples with a buttery, crumbly topping. In Vermont, where apple picking is a cherished autumn activity, this dish is more than just a dessert—it's a tradition. The recipe takes the simple goodness of apples and elevates it with a crunchy, oat-filled topping, providing a delightful contrast of textures.

Vermont’s apple crisp is made even better with the local varieties of apples like McIntosh, Cortland, and Honeycrisp. These apples are celebrated for their balance of sweetness and tartness, making them perfect for baking. And when you add a hint of Vermont's famed maple syrup, you get a dessert that's both comforting and full of local flavor.

Recipe: Vermont Style Apple Crisp

Ingredients:

• 6 cups of sliced, peeled apples (preferably Vermont-grown McIntosh or Cortland)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 cup Vermont maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish lightly with butter or non-stick spray.
2. Prepare the apples: In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice, maple syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Make sure the apples are evenly coated with the mixture. Pour the apple mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
3. Make the topping: In a separate bowl, mix together the oats, flour, brown sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter pieces and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to blend the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Assemble the crisp: Sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the apples in the baking dish.
5. Bake the crisp: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender when pierced with a fork.
6. Serve: Let the apple crisp cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy it warm, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Bringing Vermont to Your Table

This apple crisp is more than just a dessert—it's a slice of Vermont's apple-rich heritage. The combination of tender, spiced apples with a buttery, oat-filled topping is comfort food at its finest. Every bite is a taste of Vermont's tradition, where the local apples and maple syrup shine in a dish that’s perfect for cool autumn nights.

Whether you're enjoying this apple crisp as a cozy family dessert or serving it at a festive fall gathering, it's sure to bring a bit of Vermont's warmth and charm to your table. So grab some fresh apples, fire up your oven, and enjoy a taste of the Green Mountain State!

You can find a delicious Vermont-style apple crisp recipe that incorporates the rich flavors of local apples and maple syrup on several websites.

For a traditional approach, check out the recipe on Sara Moulton's website, which includes a delicious maple sauce and suggests using Grade B maple syrup for an extra intense flavor. The recipe is perfect for those who enjoy a classic apple crisp with a twist of Vermont's famous maple syrup.

Another great version can be found on Nourish Radiance. This recipe highlights the use of Vermont apple varieties like McIntosh, Northern Spy, and Cortland, and adds an extra touch with a vanilla extract in the filling.

For a recipe that incorporates a mix of traditional ingredients and a homey feel, check out Edible Vermont's apple crisp recipe. It offers a simple yet delicious take on this classic dessert, complete with a crunchy oat topping and a hint of lemon juice to balance the sweetness of the apples.

These recipes provide various ways to enjoy Vermont's apple harvest season, each adding a unique touch to the classic apple crisp. Be sure to check out the links for full instructions and tips!