Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toss apples with 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Spoon into 8- to 9-inch square baking dish.

In medium bowl, combine oats, remaining brown sugar and cinnamon. Cut in margarine with pastry blender or two knives, until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add wafer crumbs; mix well. Spread crumb mixture over apples. Bake 25-30 minutes or until apples are tender. Serve warm or cold with whipped topping.

Makes 9 servings.

(Of course, you can use real butter, regular Nilla Wafers and and whipped cream, if fat and calories are no concern.)

A friend sent this slightly different apple crisp — which he swears is the "ultimate." He says Fuji apples are the secret, though Granny Smiths or other varieties may be used. "We have taken this dish to many functions and have never heard a complaint nor had any left over," he writes. That's an endorsement.

ULTIMATE APPLE CRISP

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Place apples, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, pinch of salt and 1/4 cup water in microwavable bowl, toss well, cover and cook on high for 3 minutes. Let stand while making topping.

In large bowl, place cut-up butter, sugar, flour, pinch of salt and remaining cinnamon. Using pastry cutter or two knives, cut mixture to consistency of coarse sand. Butter a shallow casserole dish well, add apples and pour topping over, spreading evenly.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes until top is golden-brown. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving (preferably with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream). For a crispier topping, before removing from oven, turn on broiler and broil for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully so it doesn't burn.

Makes 8 servings.

Send recipes and queries to Wanda A. Adams, Food Editor, Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802. Fax: 525-8055. E-mail: wadams@honoluluadvertiser.com.

For more information about our 150th anniversary cookbook, call 535-8189 (message phone; your call will be returned). You can order the cookbook online.