Shelly's Recipe

VANILLA APPLE CRISP WITH CARAMEL SAUCE AND CANDIED WALNUTS

Category: Cobblers/Crumbles and Crisps

5 cups apples (peeled, cored and sliced)
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 vanilla bean (split lengthwise & scraped)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2/3 cup flour
2/3 cup rolled oats
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup butter (melted)

Toss the apples with the sugar, vanilla, lemon juice, and nutmeg.

Mix the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and butter in a large bowl. Place the apple mixture into an 8x8 inch baking dish and pour the topping on. Bake in a preheated 350F oven until it is bubbling and the top is golden brown, about 35-45 minutes.

Drizzle with Caramel Sauce and sprinkle with Candied Walnuts.

Caramel sauce
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon corn syrup
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup heavy cream (heated)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Heat the sugar, syrup, and water in a sauce pan while stirring. When it boils stop stirring and let it turn a medium amber colour. Remove from heat and slowly pour in the heavy cream. Stir the mixture until it is smooth with a wooden spoon. (If any lumps form return to heat and stir them away.) Stir in the butter. Allow the sauce to cool for a few minutes and stir in the vanilla extract.

CANDIED WALNUTS
1 1/2 cups walnut halves
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt (optional)

Spread the walnuts out in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350F oven until nice and toasted, about 5 minutes, and set aside. (Watch them carefully.)

Melt the sugar in a sauce pan and wait for it to turn a nice shade of amber. Add the walnuts and mix to coat. Pour the walnuts onto a sheet of parchment paper, quickly separate them, sprinkle them with the salt and let them cool. (makes 1 1/2cups)