Apple Whiskey Crisp with Whiskey Caramel Sauce

 

1 1/2

cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

1

cup quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats

3/4

cup granulated sugar

3/4

cup packed brown sugar

1/2

teaspoon salt

1

cup butter, cut into pieces

8

Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1/2

cup granulated sugar

1

teaspoon grated lemon peel

1

teaspoon grated orange peel

2

tablespoons orange juice

2

tablespoons honey-flavored whiskey

2

teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves

2

teaspoons ground cinnamon

1

teaspoon freshly grated or ground nutmeg

1 1/2

cups granulated sugar

1/3

cup water

1 1/4

cups whipping cream

1/2

teaspoon vanilla

3

tablespoons honey-flavored whiskey

1

tablespoon orange juice

Vanilla ice cream

Fresh thyme sprigs

• 1 Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• 2 In food processor, place flour, oats, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, the brown sugar and salt. Cover; process until combined. Add butter. Cover; process with on-and-off pulses until mixture is consistency of coarse crumbs. Set aside.
• 3 In large bowl, mix all filling ingredients. Pour into baking dish. Crumble topping over apple mixture. Bake 1 hour.
• 4 Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, heat 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar and the water over medium-high heat until bubbles form and mixture is simmering. DO NOT STIR. Occasionally lift saucepan from heat and gently swirl mixture while sugar is heating. In about 10 minutes, sugar will start to caramelize. Simmer until mixture is a rich, dark amber color. Reduce heat to low. Stir in whipping cream with whisk until mixture is blended and smooth.
• 5 Remove saucepan from heat; pour sauce into heatproof jar or bowl. Stir in vanilla, 3 tablespoons whiskey and 2 tablespoons orange juice. Refrigerate until serving time (sauce will thicken as it cools).
• 6 Serve apple crisp warm with ice cream; drizzle with caramel sauce. Garnish with thyme sprigs.