South Carolina Campground Cook-off dessert winner

Organizers of the South Carolina Campground Cook-off know a great meal needs a great finish - dessert. So do the competing teams. We judges weren't about to argue and we all agreed this entry was a winner.  THE winner.

 Saluda Sweeties' Cranberry-Apple Nut Crunch

¼ Cup Grand Marnier orange liqueur

½ cup water

2 cups dried cranberries

½ cup brown sugar

¼ cup (1/2 stick) of butter or margarine

3 cups peeled apples (cut in rings, slices or chopped), divided

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

½ cup sugar

Soak dried cranberries in ¼ cup Grand Marnier and ½ cup water for at least 15 minutes, drain. Slice butter into pats and drop them around the bottom of a Dutch Oven or 2-quart casserole dish. Sprinkle brown sugar around bottom of dish. Layer about half of the apple slices on the bottom of the pan. Mix sugar and flour and toss with cranberries and remaining apples until they are well coated and spread over top of apple layer.

Topping:

3 packages (1.62 ounces each) instant oatmeal with cinnamon and spice

¾ cup chopped pecans or walnuts

½ cup all-purpose flour

½ cup packed brown sugar

½ cup butter, melted

For topping, combine oatmeal, nuts, flour, sugar and butter in another bowl. Mix well; spoon evenly over fruit mixture. Bake covered at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes or until fruit is bubbling and tender. Garnish with cranberries. Serve warm with ice cream if desired. 

Options: whole cranberries for garnish, serve with vanilla ice cream. Yield: 8 servings