Classic Apple Crisp

Filling:
3 pounds whole apples, to yield 9 cups peeled, cored and sliced
1/4 cup apple cider, apple juice or water
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 Tbl melted butter
2 Tbl boiled cider, optional but good
1 1/2 tsp apple pie spice*
3 Tbl flour
1/4 tsp salt
* or substitute 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg & 1/4 tsp ginger.

Topping:

3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1/4 tsp cinnamon
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup cold butter, cut in pats
1/2 cup diced pecans or walnuts, optional

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9 inch square pan. Slice the apples about 1/4" thick. Toss them with the remaining filling ingredients and place in pan.
To make topping: whisk together the flour, oats, salt, sugar, cinnamon and baking powder. Add the cold butter, working it in to make an unevenly crumbly mixture. Toss in the nuts. Spread the topping over the apples.  Bake for 50 minutes.  Remove from the oven, and allow to cool for at least 20 minutes before serving.

Yield:  9 to 12 servings