Oil vs. Margarine

I am all for optimal nutrition, but sometimes we want the best version of dessert because that’s what it was meant to be and we shouldn’t get in the way. Let’s make an apple crisp and see which fat wins, and by how much.

Apple Crisp

SERVES 6–8

Filling

• 6 large apples, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, cut into chunks
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• pinch salt

Topping

• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• ½ cup quick-cooking oats
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• pinch salt
• 1 cup softened margarine or 1 cup neutral oil

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×10-inch (20×26-cm) baking dish.

Place filling ingredients in the baking dish and toss to coat.

In a medium bowl, combine oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add margarine and work it into the mixture or add oil and mix until the mixture is wet. Spread over the apples.