Spicy Autumn Crisp

Tart apple contrasts with the sweet, deep flavors of spices and molasses. Try it with vanilla frozen yogurt.

Yield: 9 servings

Ingredients

• Topping:
• 9  gingersnap cookies (such as Nabisco)
• 1/4  cup  granulated sugar
• 1/4  cup  packed light brown sugar
• 2  tablespoons  all-purpose flour
• 1/4  cup  chilled butter or stick margarine, cut into small pieces
• 
  Filling:
• 3 1/2  cups  chopped peeled Granny Smith apple (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 3 1/2  cups  coarsely chopped peeled Bartlett pear (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 1/2  cup  chopped pitted dates or golden raisins
• 1/4  cup  molasses
• 3/4  teaspoon  ground cinnamon
• 1/2  teaspoon  ground ginger
• 1/8  teaspoon  ground nutmeg
• 1/8  teaspoon  ground cloves

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375°.

To prepare topping, place cookies in a food processor; pulse 10 times or until coarse crumbs form to measure 1/2 cup. Combine cookie crumbs, sugars, and flour in a medium bowl; cut in the butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture is crumbly.

To prepare filling, combine apple and remaining ingredients in a large bowl; toss well. Spoon apple mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish or a 1 1/2-quart casserole. Sprinkle with topping. Bake at 375° for 45 minutes or until bubbly.

Nutritional Information

Calories:

246 (25% from fat)

Fat:

6.9g (sat 3.6g,mono 2.1g,poly 0.6g)

Protein:

1.3g

Carbohydrate:

47.9g

Fiber:

2.7g

Cholesterol:

17mg

Iron:

1.4mg

Sodium:

69mg

Calcium:

54mg