Rum Raisin Apple Cobbler!

It's apple picking time in southern Kentucky so I am always looking for new and different recipes to use them.   We use apples  quite a bit in southern cooking, both for desserts and as a side item.  This is a little different spin on the apple cobbler and it is so tasty!  The combination of the apples with the raisins, butter and rum is just perfect.  Here is what you will need for this delicious cobbler:

1 cup butter, divided (2 sticks)

1 Tbs. cornstarch

1 cup light brown sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 cup dark rum

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup raisins

pinch of salt

6 large cooking apples (Granny Smith or Rome work well)

1 box yellow or butter cake mix

1/3 cup half and half cream (can use whole milk)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Melt 1/2 cup (1 stick) of the butter.  Mix in the cornstarch, light brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, rum, vanilla and raisins.   Peel, core and slice the apples.  Add them to the butter mixture and toss until coated. 

Spray an 11"x 9" baking dish with nonstick spray and pour the apple and raisin mixture in.  Melt the other stick of butter and mix it with the cake mix and the half and half.  Spread evenly over the apple mixture. This mixture will be thick so it's best to drop in on top by the spoonful and then spread it evenly.  Place in the 350 degree oven for 1 hour. 

It should be nice and brown when done!  Remove from oven and allow to cool just slightly!

 Serve while slightly warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream!