Snow Day Survival: Caramel Apple Crisp Recipe

“Moooooom, serve me!”

That’s how breakfast started on our snow day last week.

And that is basically how it continued throughout that entire day.

But, in spite of this, I have a mom confession to make that is maybe going to put me on the outs with all of the please-don’t-let-school-be-cancelled-again-bring-wine-or-so-help-me-moms-of-Facebook: I LOVE snow days.

Probably as much as my kids do.

Call me crazy if you want, but I generally enjoy being around these people.

That’s not to say that I don’t lose my ever loving mind a little when someone is complaining about being punched square in the back for the fourteenth time in a day after being called a stupid little fart mouth.  Or that the incessant fighting over Minecraft followed by the never ending but-I’m-boreds when I finally just take Minecraft away FOREVER again doesn’t drive me up the wall.

Because it does, totally.

But, for me, that’s just part of it.

And, honestly, their bickering is such a part of the fabric of our lives that it feels more like background noise at this point than anything else.

Plus, they’re easy to distract with baked goods.  And they actually don’t mind doing chores (okay, not the middle school one, he moans).  And every now and again I am so super lucky that they agree to dance with me in the kitchen.  Or at the very least sit at the counter, attacking a baked good, and clapping for me while I twerk it out to Poison.

Plus, there are few things on this planet that I hate more than the morning scramble.   The yelling, because no one will move faster than molasses.  The rushing, because I wait until the last possible minute to wake them with hopes that a few extra moments of sleep will one day miraculously equal faster movement.  And the bags that need packing.  And the homework that needs checking (and even doing homework for that matter).  And finding matching socks.  And bundling up.  And dragging myself and my children out into the morning freezingness.

It makes our life so rushed, and takes away from our togetherness, and cuddling in our jammie pants time.

The only thing I hate about snow days is the snow.  We’d have so much more fun on a sun day!

Also, baked goods!

Most recent snow day creation: Caramel Apple Crisp!

You can use fresh apples and individually wrapped caramel candies if you want, but you can also pour the apples right out of a can, and use caramel sauce.

I think you know what I do.

Canned spiced apples and caramel dipping sauce, exactly the kind of munitions you need on hand if your home is prone to baking emergencies.

Baked Caramel Apple Crisp Recipe

2-21oz cans of spiced apple pie filling*

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup oats (I used old fashioned)

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup butter; cold, sliced

1/4 cup caramel sauce for drizzling

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2.  Pour both cans of apples into 8×8 inch square baking dish.

3. In bowl, combine dry ingredients.

4.  Cut in butter.

5.  Sprinkle topping over apples.

7.  Bake for 30 minutes or until topping looks brown and delicious.

8.  Let cool for 10 minutes then drizzle caramel sauce on top (heat in microwave for 20 seconds if sauce is cold).

9.  Prepare to be adored!

10.  Serve warm with a scoop of cinnamon or vanilla ice cream.

*If you want a more traditional recipe with fresh apples, here is the one I use: Skillet Salted Caramel Apple Crisp