My First Cookbook and Apples, Apples, Apples!

I still have my very first cookbook! My Grandma Simmons gave it to me in 1966 for my sixth birthday. The cookbook/birthday card was made by Hallmark and the price on the back cover shows my Grandma paid 35 cents. Can't buy a card for that price now!

The cookbook is falling apart but you can tell I must have loved it because the pages are tattered and splattered with dried milk, chocolate spots and vanilla drips. When you open the book it was obvious I was also learning to color and write my name! Brings back lots of memories of learning to cook.


So the second part of this post.....Apples, Apples, Apples!
I recently went to dinner at the home of friends in Tempe. While taking a tour of their beautiful backyard I spied apple trees, not just apple trees, but trees full of apples! I was surprised to see apples in the late Spring/early Summer but with our crazy AZ weather this year I graciously accepted when they offered me a bag of apples.

I have three favorite things to make with apples; applesauce, apple pie and apple crisp. I decided to make apple crisp. Yum! One of my favorite cookbooks as an adult is still a Betty Crocker Cookbook that my Mom bought for me one Christmas. It also has many pages with ingredients splattered on the pages!

Apple Crisp

4 cups of cooking apples (tart, cooking apples work best)
1 c. packed dark brown sugar
1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. oatmeal (quick cooking or old fashioned)
1/3 c. butter, softened
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 tsp. nutmeg

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease bottom and sides of an 8 inch square pan or a pie plate with butter. Mix sliced apples with 1/4 c. brown sugar, spread in prepared pan. In medium bowl add remaining ingredients and mix well. Sprinkle over apples. Bake approximately 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown and apples are tender. Serve warm.


You can see I tripled the recipe and made one smaller and one larger so I would have plenty to share! You can serve your apple crisp plain, with whipping cream or with vanilla ice cream, yum! I  always like to find new ways to serve myself and my guests desserts. This time I used a martini glass to serve my Apple Crisp.

Can't wait until fall when more apples are in season to make apple pie and applesauce! What's your favorite apple recipe?