Apple Crisp

Nothing says fall like the smell of apple crisp baking in the oven – the ultimate comfort dessert.

Oct 04, 2022

It’s apple season and I have a new favorite variety for making apple crisp – the SweeTango®. If you like Honeycrisp apples, you are going to love SweeTango® apples.

This apple variety was introduced in 2009 thanks to horticulturists at the University of Minnesota. Using natural, cross-pollination breeding techniques, the SweeTango® apple was created from a cross between the Honeycrisp apple and Zestar® apple, two varieties also produced by the University of Minnesota. This apple marriage made the Minneiska tree that grows SweeTangos®.

Crisp, crunchy, juicy, and perfectly sweet is the best way to describe this amazing apple. You may notice a slight tartness and hints of citrus when biting into a SweeTango®. These gorgeous apples look very similar to Honeycrisps. The skin has a pale yellow-green undertone covered with large patches of ruby red blushing. The peel is also dotted with small yellow freckles.

To ensure quality and consistency, SweeTango® apples are a managed variety meaning only licensed growers can produce the fruit. According to the SweeTango® website, currently these apples are only grown in Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, New York, Washington, Nova Scotia, and Quebec. SweeTangos® are typically available from early September through December. For superior quality, store them in the refrigerator and enjoy within four to six weeks.

Beyond dietary fiber and a host of other nutrients, apples supply a beneficial, naturally occurring plant chemical (phytochemical) called quercetin. Some studies suggest that this phytochemical may help reduce the risk of plaque build-up inside the arteries (atherosclerosis) that can lead to heart attack or stroke. Quercetin may also play a role in cancer prevention by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. Most of the quercetin in apples is housed in the peel, so be sure to use unpeeled apples when making today’s crisp. Other sources of quercetin include onions, red wine, citrus fruits, and tea.

If you can’t find SweeTango® apples, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Jazz, Pink Lady (also known as Cripps Pink), or Granny Smith will work well in today’s recipe.

To your health,

Darlene

APPLE CRISP

Yield: 6 servings

Serving Size: about 3/4 cup apple crisp topped with 1/4 cup frozen yogurt

Prep: 15 minutes

Ready: 1 hour

INGREDIENTS

Vegetable oil cooking spray
2 tablespoons apple cider or apple juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 cups sliced SweeTango® apples
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
2/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons spreadable butter and oil blend (such as Challenge Spreadable Butter)
1 1/2 cups frozen low-fat vanilla yogurt

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 10-inch round oven-safe baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.
In a small dish stir together cider and vanilla extract. Place sliced apples in a large bowl, add cider mixture and toss to combine. In a separate small dish combine granulated sugar and 1/2 tablespoon flour, sprinkle over sliced apples, gently stir to combine, and set aside while preparing crumb topping.
To a medium-sized bowl add oats, brown sugar, remaining 2 tablespoons flour, cinnamon, and salt and stir to combine. Using a pastry cutter or fork, cut in butter and oil blend until mixture becomes crumbly. Place apples and any accumulated liquid in prepared baking dish and top with crumb mixture. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until crumb topping is golden brown. Serve warm or cold. Top each serving with 1/4 cup frozen yogurt.

Nutrition Information per Serving

258 Calories, 5 g Total fat, 2 g Saturated fat, 0 g Trans fat, 7 mg Cholesterol, 88 mg Sodium, 51 g Total carbohydrate, 3 g Dietary fiber, 36 g Total sugars, 21 g Added sugars, 3 g Protein, 0 mcg (0%) Vitamin D, 78 mg (6%) Calcium, 1 mg (6%) Iron, 235 mg (6%) Potassium