"Boscoe Bakes"... "Fruity Apple Crisp"

As previously mentioned, I LOVE apple crisp, and for that matter, most fruit crisps in general. My guests on Wednesday nights seem to have been infected with the same passion, so this week I'm treating them again to another colorful crisp. In addition to my mandatory Granny Smith apples, I  happened to have a few overly ripe peaches and some delicious sweet cherries kicking around, so they jumped in and joined the party. And what a party it was............with the tart apples keeping company with the luscious peaches and very sweet cherries and the perfectly tuned crust keeping a lid on things...........it rocked, and was one for the record books. The flavor medley was incredible, and the addition of rich French Vanilla ice cream brought this crisp over the top. As much as I'll eat crisp in any way, shape manor or form, this one should definitely be served warm in order to savor the delicious fruit symphony that is performing. This is decadent............Enjoy with a friend!

Ingredients:

• 12 Granny Smith Apples (peeled, cored and sliced thin)
  
• 2 lbs. of sweet or tart cherries (pitted)
• 6 peaches sliced thin (skins on)
• 2 tablespoons of dark rum
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 cups white or light brown sugar (I use 50/50)
• 1 teaspoon table salt
• 2 teaspoons (heaping) cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
• 2 sticks of cold unsalted butter (diced)

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 375 F. Mix prepared fruit and toss with the rum.  Add fruit mixture to a 13x9 inch baking dish. Combine and whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon and the nutmeg. Using a pastry blender, or food processor, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until they resemble coarse bread crumbs. If using a food processor, be careful not to over process. Spread the topping evenly over the fruit.  Bake until the topping is golden brown, the apples are tender and the juices are bubbling happily. This might take approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.  I covered my topping after 40 minutes to prevent it from browning too much. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream. Eat slowly, and don't even think about counting calories!