NO TIME FOR APPLE PIE

Sometimes I crave apple pie. I'm probably not alone on this, am I? I like
making Apple Pie, but I don't always have time to roll the crust out and
put the pie together. Plus you do have some down time after taking the

pie out of the oven before you can serve it or it's too runny. I was looking

for a recipe I could make right before serving if I had to.

Recently I found this recipe that is quick to put together, has the same 

ingredients as Apple Pie and tastes almost as good. Almost.

I served it warm with some hot coffee and it was a hit. I also doubled the
recipe and baked it in a glass 9 x 13 pan, so I had to cook it a little longer.
The key is to make sure the sauce is bubbling and the apples are soft before
you take it out. Delicious!

NO TIME FOR APPLE PIE

CRUMBLE BASE & TOPPING:
½ cup cold butter, cut into bits
½ cup sugar
1 ½ cups plain flour
¼ tsp salt

FILLING:
5 cups peeled and sliced apples

(I always use Granny Smiths)
½ cup  sugar
2 TBS plain flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Freshly grated zest of ½ lemon

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter an 8x 8" baking pan, or if
doubling the recipe use a 9 x 13" pan or glass casserole dish and set aside.

Measure the flour, salt and sugar into a bowl. Stir to combine. Drop in the

bits of butter and rub the butter into the flour mixture until resembles 

fine crumbs.

Divide the mixture in half and press half of it into the base of the baking 

pan. Reserve the other half.

Slice the apples into a large bowl. Stir the sugar, flour, cinnamon, and 

salt together. Stir this into the apples along with the grated lemon zest. 

Pour this mixture over the crumb base and press it down a bit with the 

back of a spoon (I skipped this step and my apples that were sticking up 

got kind of dark--lesson learned)

Sprinkle the remaining half of the crumb mixture evenly over top. Pat 

lightly in place.

Bake in the heated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until bubbling and 

golden on top.

Excellent served warm with vanilla ice cream--just as delicious the next day.