Apple Crisp

Well, I've lost my edge. Apple crisp is a deceptively easy recipe, that I have now botched for a second time. I used to make this all the time with ease, but I guess not baking often means I forgot some techniques/definitions, etc. BUT at least I think I know the problem... While mixing together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and butter, I didn't let the butter get soft enough to really coat all the dry bits before throwing it in the oven. Instead I used cold hard butter (what you would use to make a nice flaky quiche crust), but not a lovely crumble. The apple crisp turned out very dry on the crumble top part leaving it a crispy, less flavorful crunchy "crust." Bummer.
I will try again this fall though, because it's just too shameful for me to make a so-so dessert. Anyway check out the neat pictures!

Before

After