Mamie Clark's Apple Crisp

Many of my fall memories include food: harvest, Canadian Thanksgiving, pumpkin everything and big, juicy apples.

I love how seasonal foods like this are often the impetus for family traditions. For example, in my family, apple-picking season has become synonymous with Mamie Clark's Apple Crisp.

At least five generations were represented as I made many batches of this particular recipe with my 4-year-old daughter this year. It is my daughter's great-great-grandmother's recipe, as shared with her great-grandma, as taught to her Granny, written in my mom's handwriting for me so I could bake it with her.

And now, my dear reader, I shall pass this delicious recipe along for you to create family food memories of your own.
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MAMIE CLARK'S APPLE CRISP

• 1 cup self-raising flour
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2/3 cup rolled oats {I like to toast them lightly for added crisp.}
• 2/3 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 4 cups sliced fresh baking apples {with or without peel}

Mix dry ingredients and butter together with a fork and sprinkle over the apples in an ungreased baking pan.

Bake at 375 degrees about 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown and apples are tender.
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I loved baking this recipe with my daughter. It was a special time to share memories with her and teach her about her extended family. It was a time to teach her more about measuring, following a recipe and safe food handling. {She had to wash her hands at least five times!}

I also took the opportunity to talk to her about where the ingredients came from. These were Saskatchewan-grown apples and the oats could very well have been from our province, as Saskatchewan grows 53 percent of Canada's oats and is a major export crop for our country.

What seasonal food traditions do you have? Any special recipes that have been passed down in your family?