Sticky Toffee Apple Crisp with Candied Bacon Streusel

Ingredients:

1/2 cup chilled butter, cut into small pieces
1 3/4 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed (divided usage)
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (divided usage)
1 1/2 tsp. apple pie spice (divided usage)
1/4 cup bacon, cooked crisp and finely crumbled
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
8 Michigan Golden Delicious apples, peeled and cored
3/4 cup chopped dates

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Prepare streusel by combining the butter, ¾ cup of brown sugar, 1 cup of the flour and ½ tsp. of the apple pie spice in a bowl. Work together with fingertips or pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add crumbled bacon and walnuts, blending well. Reserve.

Slice each apple into 8 wedges. Place into a large mixing bowl. Combine remaining 1 cup brown sugar, remaining ¼ cup flour, and remaining teaspoon of apple pie spice. Sprinkle over the apples, tossing thoroughly to blend. Add chopped dates, distributing evenly, and place mixture into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle reserved streusel mixture evenly over apple mixture.

Bake in preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until apples are tender and bubbly and streusel is golden brown.