Mom's Apple Crisp

(I think this is an old 4-H recipe.  All I know for sure is that it's been in my taste experience forever.  It is the first dessert I make every Fall.  Its simplicity highlights the flavors of Autumn... apples and cinnamon.)

Mom's Apple Crisp

1 c. sugar (white or brown or combination of the two)
1 c. flour
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 c. butter
4 c. cored, peeled, sliced apples
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 Tb. water (optional... use if apples are not very juicy)

Preheat oven to 375°.  Combine the dry ingredients.  Cut in the butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Set aside.
Combine apple slices and cinnamon.  Place in a 8" baking dish.  Top with butter mixture.  Bake for 45 mins. or until apples are soft and crisp is bubbling.  (You may need to place a baking sheet on the rack below the crisp if the apples are extra juicy.)
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream while watching the harvest moon rise.

Amish Sugar Cookies

Amish Sugar Cookies

Preheat oven to 350°.

1c. sugar
1c. powdered sugar
1 c. butter, softened
1 c. oil

Combine all these very well.

Add 2 eggs and 1 tsp. vanilla, beat well.

Combine 4 1/2 c. flour, 1 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. cream of tarter and add to sugar/egg mixture.  Stir until well combined.
(At this point you can chill for several hours.  I do this if the dough seems too soft.)


Drop small balls of dough onto greased cookie sheets.  (I used just parchment paper.  No extra fat that way.)  Flatten each ball with a fork and sprinkle with sugar.  (I dip  my fork into sugar between cookies to keep it from sticking.  And I use colored sugar for sprinkling.)


Bake for 10-12 mins, just until the edges are starting to get golden.  Cool on rack.