Apple Crumble

I love this recipe.  It makes me want to cuddle up with a big blanket and a good book.  Don't forget to add some vanilla ice cream on top!  

Filling:

3 lbs apples (a combo of Granny Smith, Mcintosh, Cortland recomended)

1/4 cup rum or apple cider

2 tablespoons butter, melted

2 tablespoons boiled cider 

(optional but good)

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

3 tablespoons flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

Streusel Topping:

1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

1/2 cup thick oat flakes 

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

8 tablespoons butter

Preheat the oven to 350.

Peel, core and slice the apples into 1/4 inch thick pieces.  Place them in a bowl with the remainder of the filling  ingredients and stir vigorously to combine.  In the process the apple pieces will break into smaller bits; this is fine. Spoon the apple mixture into  a lightly greased 9 x9-inch cake pan. 

In a medium size mixing bowl, stir together the flour, oats, salt, brown sugar, cinnamon and baking powder.  Add the butter, cutting it in with a mixer, your fingers, or a pastry blender as you would when making a pie crust.  Mix until crumbly; if you work it too much the mixture will clump together, so use a light touch but be thorough.  Sprinkle the topping over the filling.  

Bake the crumble for 1 1/2 hours , or until it's bubbly and a deep, golden brown.  Remove it from the oven and let it cool to lukewarm before serving.