American Apple Crisp

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven and dish
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or a 2-quart casserole dish with butter or cooking spray.
2. Prepare the apple filling
   In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice. In a separate small bowl, combine granulated sugar, cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sprinkle this mixture over the apples and toss until evenly coated. Transfer the apple mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
3. Make the crisp topping
   In a medium bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, salt, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingertips to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces remaining. Stir in the chopped nuts if using.
4. Assemble and bake
   Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the apple filling, covering it completely. Place the baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any potential overflows during baking. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges.
5. Cool and serve
   Remove the apple crisp from the oven and allow it to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. This cooling period allows the filling to set slightly. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream if desired.