Chef Chris Raucci is sharing Ted’s own special recipe for this Thanksgiving sweet treat. Starting with tart Granny Smith apples baked in a warm caramel sauce until tender, Ted’s Nutty Apple Crisp comes topped with a crispy oatmeal pecan crust and a big scoop of Häagen-Dazs® vanilla ice cream.  The dessert is big enough to feed two to four people.

Topping Ingredients
1 cup Pecan Pieces
4 oz. Butter
1 cup Pastry Flour
1/2 cup Light Brown Sugar
1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/2 cup Oatmeal

Filling Ingredients
1 cup Light Brown Sugar
1 cup Granulated Sugar
1/2 cup All Purpose Flour
2 tsp. Cinnamon

1/2 tsp. Iodized Salt

2 tsp. Orange Juice
2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1/2 cup Heavy Cream
4 oz. Melted Butter

Nutty Apple Crisp Topping

• Place pecans in the food processor and press the pulse button 4 times to blend. Do not over chop the pecans.
• Place all of the ingredients into the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the paddle attachment, mix for 1 minute on low speed. Using a rubber spatula, scrape the paddle and sides of the bowl.
• Mix for 1 additional minute on low speed until small clumps form and the butter is well incorporated.
• Place crisp topping mixture into a bowl with lid.

Nutty Apple Crisp Filling

• Melt the butter.
• Mix the sugars, flour, cinnamon, salt, orange juice and vanilla together in a mixing bowl.
• Add the cream and melted butter to the dry ingredients.

Ted's Nutty Apple Crisp. photos courtesy of Ted's Montana Grill

Cooking & Plating

• In an oven proof baking dish, place 8 oz. (by weight) of peeled, cored and thinly sliced apples.
• Add 1/2 cup of the crisp filling and spread evenly over sliced apples. Wet your hands to keep the filling from sticking.
• Spread 6 oz. (by weight) of crisp topping on top of the filling. Do not press the topping down.
• Pre-bake at 425ºF for 9 minutes.
• Hold at room temperature.
• When serving, place the apple crisp into a 325°F oven for 10 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
• Top with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream.

About Ted’s Montana Grill:  Ted’s Montana Grill was co-founded in 2002 by George McKerrow Jr. and Ted Turner, the media entrepreneur, environmentalist and philanthropist.  Authenticity is a way of life at Ted’s – from fresh food made from scratch, to a dining ambiance that evokes the feeling of being in a turn-of-the-century Montana grill and bar.  There are 55 Ted’s Montana Grill restaurants in 19 states. For more information, visit www.tedsmontanagrill.com.

Stay tuned for our next Thanksgiving Dessert feature!