Apple Slump – Louisa May Alcott’s favorite autumn dessert!

Miss Party loves a strong-willed, 19th century woman who can stand on her own two lace-up boots –’cause she paid for them herself! Louisa May Alcott, was just that kind of plain-speaking, hard-working woman and writer. Due to ongoing family financial troubles and her own nature, she also spent the better part of her life as the primary caretaker for her beloved parents and sisters.

During her years at the Orchard House in Concord, Massachusetts, where Little Women and many other fine books were written, Louisa often made her delicious Apple Slump dessert from their own apples gathered in the fall. The Alcott family routinely held philosophy discussions over dessert with open-minded friends, philosophers and writers. Henry Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathaniel Hawthorne were all regulars at their dining table. Later in the evening, with the dining room as their stage, Louisa and her sisters performed poetry readings or melodramas written by Louisa, as guests watched from the adjoining parlor.

Miss Party’s loves the imagery of those great thinkers, writers, and poets, men and women, sitting around the table sharing a simple dessert together discussing their lofty thoughts and ideas. She imagines Louisa in some lively discussion with her good friend, Thoreau, every time she prepares her Apple Slump. Perhaps this perfect autumn dessert will have you espousing something witty at your next dinner party, too!

Good books, like good friends, are few and chosen; the more select, the more enjoyable. ~ Louisa May Alcott

Apple Mixture:
4-6 tart apples; pared, cored and sliced (3 cups sliced)
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt

Topping:
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg (well beaten)
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Serves 6.

1) Grease with butter the inside of a 1 1/2 quart baking dish.

2) Prepare the apples and place in the baking dish, along with brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp of salt. Bake apples uncovered until they are soft, about 20 minutes.

3) While the apples are baking, sift together in a bowl the flour, baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and sugar.

4) Mix into the flour mixture, the beaten egg, milk and melted butter. Stir gently.

5) Spread this mixture over the top of the baked apples and continue baking (about 25 minutes), until the top is brown and crusty.

Serve with whipped cream.