Apple Pie

Freshly baked apple pie

There is nothing like home baked apple pie. The problem with apple pie is that there is the chance of eating too much at one time. I mean, there is a lot of butter in the crust.

This is easily a family favourite and not very difficult to make.

Tip: Use a food processor when cutting the apples. Three pounds of apples can mean up to 10 depending on the size. A food processor will cut down on prep time.

Ingredients:

Crust

•     1 1/4 cups of unsalted butter, softened and cut into cubes
•     2 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
•     1/2 cup of sour cream (or yogurt)
•     1/2 teaspoon salt
•     1 teaspoon sugar

Filling

•     3 pounds Granny Smith apples
•     1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
•     1/2 cup of white sugar
•     3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
•     1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
•     1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
•     1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
•     1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Yield: Serves 8 people

Directions:

Crust I

1.     Mix together flour, salt, and sugar.
2.     Using your hands, mix in butter and coat butter with flour. Work the butter and flour together until the largest pieces are the size of corn kernels.
3.     Add in sour cream and work mixture with a fork.
4.     When the dough begins to clump, separate the mixture into 2 halves.
5.     Work flour into a ball. Then into a disc. Wrap the halves with plastic wrap.
6.     Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Filling

1.     Peel and core the apples. Chop the apples into smaller pieces.
2.     As you cut the apples, sprinkle them with the apple cider vinegar to prevent browning.
3.     Combine sugar, flour, and spices.
4.     Add flour mixture to sliced apples. Mix well.
5.     Add vanilla extract.

Crust II

1.     Preheat oven to 375°F. Place cookie sheet (or a large enough pan) on the bottom rack to catch drippings.
2.     Remove crust disc from the refrigerator and let sit for 10 minutes.
3.     Using a rolling pin, roll pie dough to a 12-inch circle. Make sure dough doesn't stick. Use more flour if needed.
4.     Place rolled dough into a 9-inch pie plate.
5.     Put the apple slices into the pie plate.
6.     Roll out second disc of dough to a 12-inch circle. Place dough over the apples.
7.     Fold dough under itself and on top of the edge of the pie plate.
8.     Press down on the edge of the dough to close the pie.
9.     Cut air vents into the dough.
10.     (Optional) Brush top of pie with milk.
11.     Place pie in the oven. Cook for 20 minutes, then reduce temperature to 350°F.
12.     Bake for another 1 hour.
13.     Transfer pie to rack to cool. Cooling times will vary. Don't consume while hot.