Well let the Holiday splurging begin!
Since Thanksgiving is T-Minus 6 days away (EEK!), I (along with all my foodie friends) have been dreaming of fancy schmancy menus for quite some time. I really do love the traditional Thanksgiving dinner; my mother makes the most amazing garlic mashed potatoes that my brother could consume in its entirety in one sitting; and not to mention buttery, straight from oven rolls? How can you go wrong with that? But I am all for adding new spins on the traditional dishes that grace our tables. My parents on the other hand, not so much. I love them dearly but they like their norms and get a little uneasy with my suggested trashed up versions. So I keep my creativity at a minimum until the next family dinner, let out the ‘shock and ahh’ then.
When it comes to desserts, I am quite particular. Never been a pie girl. Seems odd for a girl that has a sweet tooth the size of Texas. So I set out to recreate a classic Thanksgiving dessert, the apple pie. When I was growing up, I remember every holiday and family gathering had a plethora of cookies. And my personal favorite? My Nana’s out-of-this-world sugar cookies. She has an amazing touch of never measuring one ingredient, yet they come out delicious every time. I do not envy her for it one bit, as she has proved her dedication in the kitchen over the years.
I loved the years I would spend in her kitchen when I was younger; the same kitchen that is packed every holiday still; baking her famous sugar cookies and snacking on honey graham crackers smothered with her homemade vanilla frosting. Such a simple snack that still to this day, takes me back.
A simple rendition of an apple pie can bring up so many memories. Despite my Nana’s delicious homemade pie’s and cookies, she too takes a short cut every now and then. One of her crowd pleasers that I have always loved was her personal apple pies; tossing sliced apples in cinnamon and sugar, layering them in ramekins and topping them off with her premade sugar cookie dough. Individual apple pies with a sugar and cinnamon topping, ideal for a busy holiday cook. When I thought to recreate her dessert, I decided to toss the apples with cinnamon and maple syrup to eliminate added sugars. Then the crumb topping, I was intrigued by Pillsbury’s new oatmeal brown butter cookie dough. Who doesn’t love brown butter? It’s appearing everywhere in the culinary world. I am not complaining though. Brown Butter is a bit nutty and gives off caramel undertones, adding impeccable flavor to any dish.
As I put the finishing touches on my holiday menu, this dessert will sure grace our table, in dedication of all the love my Nana has given over countless years!
10 minPrep Time
25 minCook Time
35 minTotal Time
Yields 8
Save RecipeIngredients
- 8 large apples, washed and sliced into 1/4 inch slices
- 1 T cornstarch, or tapioca starch to make gluten free
- 2/3 c maple syrup
- 2 T cinnamon
- 1 package Pillsbury Oatmeal Brown Butter Cookies, or cookie dough of choice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 pan.
- In a medium bowl, toss sliced apples with cornstarch and ensure all apples are coated. Add cinnamon and maple syrup. Toss well. Add apples to greased pan.
- Crumble up the cookies and top apples with dough.
- Bake 20-25 minutes, or until cookie dough is golden brown and apples are tender.
- Optional toppings, ice cream or whipped cream!
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