Recipe Review: Cast Iron Skillet Apple Crisp – And Some Fiction!

I had so much fun writing little short fiction stories on a few of my past recipes, that I decided to give it a go for this Cast Iron Skillet Apple Crisp. In the last one I did, Spicy Chicken with Spinach, Tomato, Coconut, and Turmeric Rice, I mentioned how I was hoping I was going to be able to get back into some sort of blogging routine. Well, that did not happen. I wrote that post back in February with very good intentions. However, by March I was hired to go back to work full-time – which I decided to take – until I could get back to freelancing. 

I also have to keep telling myself, as much as I love food, and missing cooking for the website the way I used to, this is no longer YUMeating and I can now go back to doing this for fun instead of worrying about sponsorships, brand creations, and deadlines. 

So, here I am. Inconsistent. Unbothered. Just doing my thing. And today that thing is, making an Apple Crisp in the cast iron skillet. One of my favorite things to do when we’re about to have a few apples get a little too soft for our liking. 

Like my mama, I tend to just throw some ingredients in the skillet and not bother to follow a recipe. My partner however, isn’t as brave as I, so when I show up to make things, I make sure I have a recipe in hand. And, for this recipe I followed the recipe created by Aubrey’s Kitchen. (but shhhh when he wasn’t looking, I added some of my extra love to it….) 

Okay, okay. Enough about me. Let’s get to the review, shall we? And if you stick around to the end, there’s a nice big piece of fiction waiting for you. 

Cast Iron Skillet Apple Crisp Recipe Review

When the leaves begin to turn and the air becomes crisper, there’s nothing quite as comforting as the aroma of a freshly baked apple crisp wafting through the kitchen. This timeless dessert has been a staple for generations in my home and it gives me the warm feelings of – FALL IS HERE! And even though it’s not quite fall here in Michigan, although it’s been feeling like that most evenings, sometimes you just have to have the taste of fall.

Ease of Preparation:

This Cast Iron Skillet Apple Crisp recipe is relatively straightforward to follow, making it a great option for both novice and experienced bakers. The step-by-step instructions are clear and concise, guiding you through each stage of the process.

Ingredients:

The ingredient list consists of kitchen staples, which means you likely have most of them on hand already. The blend of spices, including cinnamon, clove and nutmeg, adds depth and warmth to the apple filling. If you don’t have these on hand, and you have pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice – USE THEM!

Cooking Process:

The use of a cast iron skillet in this recipe is ingenious. It helps distribute heat evenly, resulting in a beautifully cooked apple filling and a perfectly golden crumb topping. The apples retain their texture, and the filling isn’t overly sweet thanks to the balance of sugars and lemon juice. And if you are like me and like that warm sticky sweetness of the brown sugar, don’t be afraid to add just a little bit more love. It’s okay.

Flavor and Texture:

The combination of sweet and tart apples, coupled with the aromatic spices, creates a harmonious and well-rounded flavor profile. The crumb topping adds a delightful crunch that contrasts with the soft, tender apples. When paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, each bite becomes a comforting symphony of tastes and textures.

Will Continue To Be a Staple at My House on Nevermore Lane

Cast Iron Skillet Apple Crisp is a modern take on a beloved classic that truly delivers on taste and presentation. With its rustic charm and exceptional flavor, this recipe is bound to become a staple in your fall and winter dessert rotation. Whether you’re baking for a cozy family dinner or a festive gathering, this apple crisp is sure to impress. So, preheat the oven, grab your cast iron skillet, and get ready to savor the deliciousness of this delectable dessert.

Now It’s Story Time!

The Magical Cast Iron Skillet Apple Crisp

Once upon a time, in a quaint little village nestled between rolling hills and winding streams, lived a young girl named Ella. Ella was known throughout the village for her extraordinary culinary skills, which she had inherited from her grandmother. Every Sunday, she would whip up the most delectable dishes that would bring the entire village to her doorstep.

As the leaves began to turn shades of amber and scarlet, announcing the arrival of autumn, Ella felt a surge of inspiration. She decided to create a dessert that would capture the essence of the season and warm the hearts of her fellow villagers. That’s when she remembered her grandmother’s treasured cast iron skillet apple crisp recipe.

Ella set out to the village orchard, where the apple trees were laden with ripe fruit. She carefully selected a variety of apples – sweet and tart, green and red – ensuring a harmonious blend of flavors for her masterpiece. With a basket full of apples, she returned to her cozy cottage.

In her kitchen, Ella donned her apron and tied her hair back with a ribbon, ready to embark on her culinary adventure. She meticulously peeled, cored, and sliced the apples, letting their natural fragrance fill the room. As she worked, she couldn’t help but reminisce about the times she had spent with her grandmother, learning the art of cooking and the importance of preserving family traditions.

With the apple slices prepared, Ella drizzled them with a touch of lemon juice, just as her grandmother had taught her. She added a sprinkling of granulated sugar, a dash of cinnamon, and a hint of nutmeg. As the spices mingled with the apples, the air was infused with the irresistible aroma of fall.

Next came the topping – a combination of flour, old-fashioned rolled oats, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Ella’s hands moved with the grace of someone who truly understood the ingredients they were working with. She added cubes of cold butter and began to blend the mixture, her fingers transforming the ingredients into a crumbly concoction.

With the skillet prepped and the apple filling carefully arranged within its embrace, Ella covered the apples with the crumb topping. It was a work of art, a symphony of colors and textures that promised something truly magical.

As the cast iron skillet apple crisp baked in the oven, Ella could feel the anticipation building within her. The kitchen was alive with the warmth of the dessert’s promise. The scent that enveloped her was a sweet embrace, a reminder of all the moments she had spent learning from her grandmother and pouring her heart into the craft.

When the timer finally chimed, Ella carefully pulled the skillet out of the oven. The apple crisp was a masterpiece of golden brown and deliciously caramelized apples, topped with a crispy crown that beckoned to be savored. Ella knew that this creation was more than just a dessert – it was a testament to her love for cooking, her connection to her grandmother, and the magic of sharing traditions with her community.

That evening, the villagers gathered at Ella’s doorstep, drawn by the captivating aroma that had wafted through the village. As they took their first bites of the cast iron skillet apple crisp, their faces lit up with delight. Ella’s creation had the power to transport them to the heart of autumn, to evoke memories of childhood and simpler times.

And so, the magical cast iron skillet apple crisp became a beloved tradition in the village, a dish that was shared with love and savored with gratitude. With every bite, the villagers felt the warmth of Ella’s passion, her connection to her grandmother, and the enchanting beauty of the season. And as the years went by, the story of the magical apple crisp continued to be passed down, reminding everyone that sometimes, the most wonderful magic can be found in the simple act of cooking with love and preserving cherished traditions.

I’m sure we will meet again with another plate of food and another tale to tell.  ~ Chrystal 

What are some of your favorite recipes passed down through the generations?