Balsamic Caramel Apple Crisp
Ingredients:
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons water
¼ cup Aged Red Apple Balsamic Vinegar
½ teaspoon sea salt
4 large apples (peeled, cored, and thinly sliced)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
¾ cup prepared balsamic caramel sauce
½ cup flour
½ cup rolled oats
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup chopped pecans
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ cup Butter EVOO
Directions:
In a microwave safe bowl, heat cream for 1 minute (stir after 30 seconds). Set aside.
Place sugar in 2 ½ quart saucepan and pour water down the sides of the pan. Heat the sugar mixture over medium heat, stirring until sugar is just dissolved. Continue heating . . . do NOT stir – this promotes sugar crystals and will result in grainy caramel. Watch for sugar crystals developing on the inside of the pan (use pastry brush dipped in water to brush the inside of the pan - water will drip down and dissolve the crystals back into the liquid). When the sugar mixture begins to brown, occasionally swirl the pan so the sugar mixture cooks evenly. Continue cooking until the mixture is dark amber brown (about 10 minutes). Remove pan from the heat.
Carefully whisk in the warmed cream to the sugar mixture (a few tablespoons at a time). The liquid will bubble up dramatically. Whisk in Aged Red Apple Balsamic Vinegar and salt. Return saucepan to stovetop and bring mixture back up to a boil; reduce heat and let simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour caramel into a heatproof container and cool completely. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly oil an 8x8 square baking dish with Butter EVOO. Set aside.
Toss apples with lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ¾ cup balsamic caramel sauce (reserve remaining caramel). Arrange apples evenly in baking dish. Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, pecans, and cinnamon in a bowl. Add Butter EVOO and stir with a fork until moist clumps form. Sprinkle evenly over apples and place baking dish in preheated oven. Bake for 35-45 minutes or until golden brown and apple mixture is bubbling. Remove from oven and let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Drizzle with reserved balsamic caramel sauce. Enjoy!!
