[2] Gala apples (photo courtesy Good Eggs).

Looking for a weekend baking project?

This easy dessert is as popular as apple pie, and easier to make. It is called a crisp because the topping, which contains oats (oatmeal), gets crispy when baked.

In the U.K., the same dish is called a crumble. Take a look at similar fruit dishes with different toppings: the betty, cobbler, grunt, pandowdy and others.
 
RECIPE: CLASSIC APPLE CRISP

For the apples, select Braeburn, Empire or Gala.

Prep time is 15 minutes, cook time is 35 minutes.

Ingredients

 
For a fancy topping, you can make meringue and brown it with a culinary/kitchen torch.

1. PREHEAT the oven to 375°F.

2. MAKE the topping. In a large bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, salt and 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar. Cut the butter into the flour, using a pastry blender or two knives, until mixture is the texture of coarse meal. Add the oats; use your hands to toss and squeeze the mixture until large, moist clumps form. Transfer to the freezer to chill.

3. TOSS the apples in a clean large bowl with the lemon juice, cinnamon and the remaining granulated sugar. Transfer to a shallow 2-quart baking dish, and sprinkle with topping mixture. Place baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake until golden and bubbling, 55 to 65 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.