Louisa May Alcott's Apple Slump

Sep 29th, 2010 by Marilyn

When my friend Sara from Culinerapy visited Concord, Mass. last year, she made a reader’s pilgrimage to Orchard House, the historic home of Louisa May Alcott. Since Sara and I (and half the women we know) share an abiding love for Alcott’s 1868 novel Little Women, she sent me a thoughtful souvenir: the author’s recipe for Apple Slump. It’s a homey, deliberately simple dessert, comfort cousin to fruit buckles, bettys, cobblers, grunts and pandowdys. Still, reading the calligraphy-script recipe, I could see where I might tweak it. And I thought, who am I to edit Louisa May Alcott?

Not editing, really. Finessing. Alcott may have mastered prose at the desk, but in the kitchen she was likely closer to Jo March, for whom the “bread burned black” and the “cream turned sour.” Making Apple Slump would be like cooking with Ms. Alcott’s domestically-challenged ghost, and while I cored and sliced I considered my years reading and rereading the March girls, picturing Amy’s limes, Meg’s vain high heels and lonely Jo in the attic with apples, writing and cursing scarlet fever, the villain that stole Beth. I regretted that my little tweaks – dash of vanilla, an extra apple – could not make Laurie come to his senses and dump Amy. Pecans would add crunch but they would never make Jo marry Laurie, nor bring Beth back. They’re a matter of personal taste, like my feelings about Meg wedding that dull John Brooke, and while they won’t change the story they can at least enhance Ms. Alcott’s kitchen legacy, and certainly perk up the Slump.

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For Fall Fest’s Apple Week, a few choice scenes – with apples – from Little Women.

- THE LAURENCE BOY -

“Jo! Jo! Where are you?” cried Meg at the foot of the garret stairs.

“Here!” answered a husky voice from above, and, running up, Meg found her sister eating apples and crying over the Heir of Redclyffe, wrapped up in a comforter on an old three-legged sofa by the sunny window. This was Jo’s favorite refuge, and here she loved to retire with half a dozen russets and a nice book, to enjoy the quiet and the society of a pet rat who lived near by and didn’t mind her a particle. As Meg appeared, Scrabble whisked into his hole. Jo shook the tears off her cheeks and waited to hear the news.

- BETH FINDS THE PALACE BEAUTIFUL -

“See the cunning brackets to hold candles, and the nice green silk, puckered up, with a gold rose in the middle, and the pretty rack and stool, all complete,” added Meg, opening the instrument and displaying its beauties.

“‘Your humble servant, James Laurence’. Only think of his writing that to you. I’ll tell the girls. They’ll think it’s splendid,” said Amy, much impressed by the note.

“Try it, honey. Let’s hear the sound of the baby pianny,” said Hannah, who always took a share in the family joys and sorrows.

So Beth tried it, and everyone pronounced it the most remarkable piano ever heard. It had evidently been newly tuned and put in apple-pie order, but, perfect as it was, I think the real charm lay in the happiest of all happy faces which leaned over it, as Beth lovingly touched the beautiful black and white keys and pressed the bright pedals.

“You’ll have to go and thank him,” said Jo, by way of a joke, for the idea of the child’s really going never entered her head.

“Yes, I mean to. I guess I’ll go now, before I get frightened thinking about it.” And, to the utter amazement of the assembled family, Beth walked deliberately down the garden, through the hedge, and in at the Laurences’ door.

- HARVEST TIME -

There were a great many holidays at Plumfield, and one of the most delightful was the yearly apple-picking. For then the Marches, Laurences, Brookes and Bhaers turned out in full force and made a day of it. Five years after Jo’s wedding, one of these fruitful festivals occurred, a mellow October day, when the air was full of an exhilarating freshness which made the spirits rise and the blood dance healthily in the veins.

The old orchard wore its holiday attire. Goldenrod and asters fringed the mossy walls. Grasshoppers skipped briskly in the sere grass, and crickets chirped like fairy pipers at a feast. Squirrels were busy with their small harvesting. Birds twittered their adieux from the alders in the lane, and every tree stood ready to send down its shower of red or yellow apples at the first shake.

“Yes, Jo, I think your harvest will be a good one,” began Mrs. March, frightening away a big black cricket that was staring Teddy out of countenance.

“Not half so good as yours, Mother. Here it is, and we never can thank you enough for the patient sowing and reaping you have done,” cried Jo, with the loving impetuosity which she never would outgrow.

LOUISA MAY ALCOTT’S APPLE SLUMP

from Orchard House, Concord, Massachusetts

4-6 tart apples (I used 3 large Granny Smith and 3 medium Golden Delicious)
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg, well-beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup melted butter

Peel, core and slice the apples. Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease with butter the inside of a 1-1/2 quart baking dish. (NOTE: for a shallower, more even apples-to-topping ratio, use a 9 x 13 pan.) Put into the dish the sliced apples, brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bake apples uncovered until they are soft, about 20 minutes.

While the apples are baking, sift together into a bowl the flour, baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and sugar. Mix into this the beaten egg, milk, and melted butter. Stir gently. Spread this mixture over the apples and continue baking — until the top is brown and crusty (about 25 minutes). Serve with whipped cream. Serves 6.

NOTES (with apologies to Ms. Alcott)

1. Use at least 6 good-sized apples – 7 or 8 if they’re small – or you’ll have more topping than fruit.

2. Where the instructions say “Put into the dish the sliced apples, brown sugar, nutmeg…” I tossed the apples with the brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt in a separate bowl, then poured the mixture into the baking dish. I also added 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla to the apple-sugar mixture.

3. I sprinkled 1/2 cup chopped pecans over the batter topping.

4. Baking times (for both the uncovered apples and the batter-topped Slump) may be longer than noted. Watch for the apples to soften and the top crust to turn an even, light gold-brown.

Did the Marches have vanilla and pecans? No. But they didn’t have blogs, either.

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Summer Fest is now Fall Fest, an ongoing celebration of good food and great ideas from food and garden bloggers around the globe. Every week we share great recipes, stories and tips for marvelous seasonal ingredients. You can participate by visiting the guest blogs to share links or comments – and if you’re particularly inspired, contribute a post of your own. Drop by A Way to Garden for details on how join the party.

THIS WEEK’S LINKS: APPLES

Todd and Diane at White on Rice Couple: Apple picking, and Broiled Leeks with Apple Vinaigrette

Alana at Eating from the Ground Up: Apple pie and its place in her family religion

Caron at San Diego Foodstuff: Remaking The Silver Palate Cookbook’s Medieval Apple Tart

Alison at Food2: 22 Awesome Ways to Use Your Apples

Michelle at Cooking Channel: Apple Dessert Recipes

Dana at Healthy Eats: 31 Days of Apple Recipes

Liz at Food Network: Pick the Perfect Apple

Caroline at The Wright Recipes: Apple Stack Cake and Dark Caramel Apples

Food Network UK: Five English apples you should know and love

Gilded Fork: Apples—Sweet Seduction

Paige at The Sister Project: Third-Prize Apple Pie

Nicole at Pinch My Salt: Favorite Apple Recipes

Margaret at A Way to Garden: Apple Season: A Windfall of Recipes From My Friends

Tags: apples, Culinerapy, fall fest, little women, louisa may alcott, slump, why laurie way

Posted in books, fruit desserts, pie, tarts, cobblers & crisps, recipes

28 Responses to “Louisa May Alcott’s Apple Slump”

on 29 Sep 2010 at 6:41 am1Aimee @ Simple Bites

I read the Little Women books over and over growing up. Thanks for the trip down memory lane! They are such classics.
Speaking of classics…my contribution to Fall Fest just might be the simplest: Classic Homemade Applesauce. It’s part of my week-long series on Canning 101. Enjoy!

http://www.simplebites.net/preserving-autumn-classic-applesauce-recipe/
on 29 Sep 2010 at 7:08 am2Ranjani

I *love* Little Women! Just reread it recently, in fact. I don’t think I know anyone who is a fan of the Laurie-Amy match…
This week I made brie, apple, and arugula quesadillas:
http://4seasonsoffood.blogspot.com/2010/09/brie-apple-and-arugula-quesadillas.html
on 29 Sep 2010 at 7:35 am3Carol

I agree that Laurie should’ve dumped Amy and married Jo! Lovely stories by Ms. Alcott and a lovely recipe by Ms. Simmer.
on 29 Sep 2010 at 10:30 am4Robin

Love this, Mar! Will have to try it some chilly day. Eating Louisa May Alcott’s food and reading her books . . . a perfect match. Can’t decide if I like Little Women or Eight Cousins best, but Little Women is closer to my heart. I am closer to Jo as a cook, but hopefully I can make this without the milk turning sour.
Orchard House is indeed amazing — I love that you can see the living room where they put on the theatricals (“Rodrigo! Save me!”) and that May/Amy actually painted on her walls and the painting is still there.
Also, for a D.C. tie-in, May Alcott taught sculpture to Daniel French Smith when he was young; he grew up to create the Lincoln Memorial.
on 29 Sep 2010 at 11:08 am5Kathleen

Love this dessert and Little Women. I had forgotten all about this recipe, thank you so much. I made a few things for Fall Fest apple week, but then I am always making something with apples.
http://dejavucook.wordpress.com/2010/09/28/baked-brie-with-apples-raisins-and-walnuts/
http://dejavucook.wordpress.com/2010/09/29/caramelized-apples-with-raisins-and-walnuts/
on 29 Sep 2010 at 11:16 am6napa farmhouse 1885/diane

this looks delicious!
i posted a recipe for apple & pear crisp…and reposted a recipe from a couple of years ago… roasted apple and caramelized onion au gratin soup , which has become a favorite in our home…

http://napafarmhouse1885.blogspot.com/2010/09/it-is-apple-weekapple-pear-crisp-anyone.html
on 29 Sep 2010 at 12:00 pm7Rachel

Amazing timing! What have I been baking this morning? Apple cinnamon bran muffins! They’re cooling on the counter right now. I’ve already had one as my late-morning snack and they’re delicious! Lots of local apple love, hand-picked by my at the orchard down the road, went into these babies: http://muffinegg.wordpress.com/2010/09/29/apple-cinnamon-bran-muffins/

I love your post’s literary connection!
on 29 Sep 2010 at 12:19 pm8Kate @ Savour Fare

Jo and Laurie were fundamentally unsuited- – they were splendid friends but would have made each other miserable and fought like cats and dogs. Jo would have chafed under the social obligations brought by Laurie’s money, and Laurie would have writhed when Jo acted particularly Jo like. However, apple slump might just hit the ticket.
on 29 Sep 2010 at 12:57 pm9Marilyn

Kate: that’s a lovely, well-reasoned argument. Also, I’m not listening.
on 29 Sep 2010 at 1:09 pm10Leah

We used to take our kids up to the Santa Ynez Valley when they were younger to pick apples. Now that they’re older and busy with other activities, it’s more difficult to find the time. It’s unfortunate, because we really enjoyed doing it. The apples from that region are some of the best I’ve ever tasted (right on par with the wines). I can’t think of a better way to spend an autumn weekend than to go wine tasting and apple picking with the family!

I haven’t had the time yet this year to write an apple post, but here are a few from the past with recipes that are sure to please every apple lover out there.

Apple Gouda Quesadillas with Spicy (Spiked) Cider: http://www.wineimbiber.com/index.php/2008/10/trader-joes-tuesday4/

Chipotle Apple Pecan Cake with the most sublime Spicy Caramel Glaze:
http://www.wineimbiber.com/index.php/2008/10/sugar-and-spice-and-everything-nice

Apple-Almond Upside Down Cake:
http://www.wineimbiber.com/index.php/2008/10/an-apple-a-day
on 29 Sep 2010 at 6:36 pm11sandhya@vegetarianirvana

Am I the only one not to have read ‘little women’? I am sorry!
But I guess it is never too late. …
Please check out my contribution to fall fest
http://vegetarianirvana.wordpress.com/
on 30 Sep 2010 at 7:57 am12Sunchowder

Your photos are gorgeous!! What a beautiful post, I have printed this off and am excited to make it for my family
on 30 Sep 2010 at 6:11 pm13Stephanie @ Dollop of Cream

Your gorgeous photos definitely sell the apple slump — Louisa May would be proud!

My contribution to fall fest this week is a homey apple chutney — perfect with a creamy cheese dolloped on a cracker: http://www.dollopofcream.com/2010/09/mrs-doucets-apple-chutney.html
on 30 Sep 2010 at 7:58 pm14Tara

I’ve got that recipe! Given to me by my mother, who must have copied it out of a book somewhere. I love it. Oddly, I’ve never tweaked it, even a bit – too sacred to me, I think. (That it’s Louisa May Alcott’s, for one, and that it’s the version I grew up eating every Fall when my mother would make it for us.) But your version might change my mind . . . I was going to make the original for a potluck this weekend – what would my family think if I topped it with pecans?

Here’s my most recent apple-related post – a write-up of why I live in Maine and my favorite apple butter recipe:
http://abakinglife.blogspot.com/2010/09/apples-of-my-eye.html
on 01 Oct 2010 at 10:48 am15Pretty. Good. Food.

Mmmm, sound so delicious!
on 03 Oct 2010 at 6:33 am16Christina

Thank you for sharing this. How wonderful to have a recipe from Louisa May Alcott! And fantastic post too, with excerpts from the book. I’m a big fan.
on 04 Oct 2010 at 3:25 pm17Veronika Rojas

Lovely post! Although I never read Little Women.

Here is my contribution to fall fest: http://thehorttshearawho.blogspot.com/2010/10/apple-tartlet-and-thoughts-about-beauty.html
on 04 Oct 2010 at 9:18 pm18Leah

I am so going to try this. I love Louisa May Alcott! So glad I found your awesome blog. I am so excited to participate in Fall Fest 2010 with my apple butter recipe: http://leahsthoughts.com/2010/10/04/apple-butter-jam-a-hallmark-of-fall/
on 05 Oct 2010 at 11:19 am19Briana

I can’t wait to try this with the remainder of my apples! This brings back such great memories of reading curled up in the corner as a child.

Please visit http://kitchenjourneys.com/2010/10/05/apple-pie/ for my Fall Fest contribution of Uncle Marvin’s “foolproof” apple pie.

“Good apple pies are a considerable part of our domestic happiness.” ~Jane Austen
on 05 Oct 2010 at 12:56 pm20Marnie

Fantastic post! Love the book and the cute comments on the recipe! I wish I knew how many times I’ve read Little Women…
on 05 Oct 2010 at 4:42 pm21Eva

I have never heard of an apple slump before, it looks amazing though. It is so neat that something that Louisa May Alcott made well over a century ago can still be recreated today with the same visceral experience. Thank you for sharing this great recipe!
on 09 Oct 2010 at 1:10 am22Lisa

Little Women is my all-time favorite book. I must have read it over a dozen times. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
on 18 Oct 2010 at 6:48 am23t. robarge

Made this friday night. It was great! The apples cooked down a little
more than I would have liked. The dough made a lot of cake. Next
time I will use more than 5 apples. The pecans were a great addition.
Fast, easy and so-o good.
on 18 Oct 2010 at 8:12 am24Domestic Scribbles Mom

I have copied this and will try it my next baking day. I love the fall recipes. They make my lips itch for baking and my house want to smell like cinnamon and vanilla.
on 18 Oct 2011 at 3:03 pm25tea_austen

This makes me so happy!
on 07 Dec 2011 at 3:58 am26Kausambi@Coloredgrains

Yum yum! Looks just right!
on 07 Dec 2011 at 12:41 pm27Amy Ephron

Hi, it’s Amy Ephron. this is a totally wonderful post. We love it.
Don’t know if you’d be interested, but we’d love to cross-post it at
One for the Table — if this is interesting at all (we’d give you a link back and bio and etc…) pls email me at editor@oneforthetable.com.
Love your blog.
all best wishes,
Amy Ephron
Publisher
Oneforthetable.com
on 05 Feb 2013 at 7:57 pm28Lady Anne

We used to make this all the time when I was growing up. My mom used an electric skillet, and would vary the sweetening – sometimes maple syrup, sometimes molasses, other times brown sugar. Our entire family refered to it as “Apple Slop”, but boy! did we all enjoy it.