Apple Toffee Crisp with Vanilla Ice Cream and Warm Caramel Sauce

2 1/4 pounds (about 4 large) Golden Delicious apples or other baking apples such as Pink Lady, or Granny Smith
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
6 tablespoons sugar
3/8 teaspoon cinnamon
Scant 1/4 teaspoon salt

Topping
3/4 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup toffee bits (See cooking tip.)
1/2 cup flour
6 tablespoons light brown sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and finely diced
Confectioner’s sugar for garnish
Mint springs for garnish, optional
1 pint vanilla ice cream
1/2 cup or more purchased caramel sauce (See cooking tip.)

1. Arrange a rack at center position and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Have ready a shallow 2- quart baking dish.           

2.For the filling, peel apples.Then cut them in half lengthwise and cut out and discard the cores. Cut each half into 4 wedges. (You should get about 6 cups.) Place slices in the baking dish and toss with the butter and lemon juice. In a small bowl, stir the sugar, cinnamon, and salt together, and sprinkle over apples. Toss to coat well.

3. For the topping, place the pecans, toffee bits, flour, and brown sugar in a medium bowl, and mix well. Add the butter, and, using your fingertips, rub the mixture together until it resembles pea-sized clumps. Scatter the topping evenly over the apples.       

4. Bake until apples are tender and juicy and topping is golden brown, 50 to 55 minutes. Remove and cool 5 to 10 minutes. (The crisp can be prepared 4 hours ahead; cool and leave at room temperature, uncovered. Reheat in a preheated 350-degree F oven until warm, about 15 minutes.)          

5. To serve, dust crisp with confectioner’s sugar. Garnish each portion with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and with a drizzle of warmed caramel sauce. Garnish with a sprig of mint if desired. Serves 4 to 5

Cooking Tips:
Heath “Bits o Brickle” toffee bits, which are usually found in the baking section of the grocery, work well in this recipe. (Do not use chocolate-coated toffee bits.)

Mrs. Richardson’s Original Caramel Sauce (my favorite purchased caramel sauce) is available in many groceries and just needs a quick heating in a saucepan over low to medium heat.

Copyright Betty Rosbottom 2021