Caramel Apple Oatmeal Crisp

This is one of those desserts that I make every single year.  It just wouldn't be Fall without some caramel apple crisp.  I highly recommend topping with vanilla bean ice cream and caramel sauce.

Pull out your stretchy pants.  Skinny jeans will be "out" in a few years anyways.

Caramel Apple Oatmeal Crisp

-1 cup brown sugar

-1 cup rolled oats

-1 cup flour

-1/2 cup butter, (1 stick) melted

-3 large apples, peeled and very thinly sliced

-up to 1/4 cup white sugar*

-2 tsp ground cinnamon, plus a dash

-Caramel sauce (Mrs Richardson's is a great substitute if you don't want to do homemade.)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease an 8x8 pan.  In a large bowl combine the brown sugar, oats, flour, and butter.  Add a dash of cinnamon.  Mix until crumbly then press half of this crumb mixture in pan.

Spread apples evenly over crumb mixture.  Sprinkle with sugar* and cinnamon and top with remaining crumb mixture.  

Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown.

Serve with vanilla bean ice cream and top with a drizzle of hot caramel sauce.  (If you don't want to use ice cream, just drizzle the caramel on top of the crisp before serving.)

*If you're using tart apples (Granny Smith), use the full amount of sugar.  If you're using sweet apples (Jonagold, Fuji), just sprinkle lightly with sugar.