Thursday, August 28, 2008

DP's Homemade Apple Pie

The apple trees in my parents' yard are still heavy with lots of delicious apples. This year, I had planned to make apple sauce, apple butter, and lots of apple pie. So far, the only thing I've done is make apple pie.

I don't have much time to experiment with different recipes, so I still plan to learn how to make all those delicious apple dishes... I just don't know. The good news is that the apple tree produces delicious apples every year, so I have lots of time on my side.

Below: My recent apple harvest


Today I want to share my special apple pie recipe. I also make pear pie, using the same recipe and substituting apples for pears. We're not big pear fans, so pear pie is a lovely substitute. Plus, it tastes exactly like apple pie.

Below: My Apple Pie


I made this apple pie for my writer's group last month, and everyone loved it. I got rave reviews. So if you have the time and the extra apples, I would recommend trying this dessert. It is YUMMY!

A little history on this pie: this recipe was first used by my American grandmother's mother. I've made a few changes to the pie filling, but the pie crust recipe is hers. It is a delicious and easy crust.

Below: A side view. I used the wrong dish to cook the pie in. Instead of using a pie pan, I used a cake pan... but it still turned out delicious!


DP's Special Apple Pie

For the crust:

2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup Crisco (butter can be used, if you prefer)
1/4 cup water

For the pie filling:

5 to 6 medium-sized baking apples, cored and sliced thin
1/2 to 2/3 brown sugar (tart apples need more sugar)
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch (very juicy apples need more cornstarch)
2 cinnamon sticks (or 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, add more or less, depending on your taste)
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 1/2 tablespoons butter

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

First, make the crust. Sift the flour and salt in a bowl. Take out 1/3 cup of the flour and add 1/4 cup of water to form a paste. Add the Crisco to the remaining flour. Using a pastry blender, cut the Crisco into the flour until the mix becomes the size of small peas. Next, add the flour paste to flour mixture. Mix until the dough can be shaped into a ball. Roll out until large enough to fill a pie pan. (Use excess dough for top crust.)

For the pie, combine apples, sugar, salt, cornstarch, grated cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Stir until apples are well coated. Place them in layers in the pie shell. (Optional: dot with butter). Cover with a prickled upper crust (made from excess dough). Sprinkle the top with brown sugar and cinnamon.

Bake the pie at 450 degrees for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees and bake 35-45 minutes until done.

Enjoy!

Below: The filling of the pie. So gooey and so yummy!

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

How cool is it that your parents have an apple tree. Your apple pie looks great and it's makes me want an afternoon snack!

Carla said...

You lucky dog having access to a apple tree! Your apple pie pictures are beyond words!!!! MMMMMM

TC said...

Hello. Your apple pie looks delicious, wish I had big slice right now with vanilla ice cream!

I was wondering if you're a member of The Garden Writers Association? If not would you be interested in joining? http://www.gardenwriters.org/About/Join.html
In the "Name the existing GWA member who is sponsoring your application for membership" box, could you please type my name: TC Conner. Thank you very much and if you're already a member, perhaps we'll meet sometime in the future.

Susie said...

Oh my goodness! Does that ever look delish!! All you need is a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. Yummy!!

That pie really does look good. I can't believe you made your own pie crust. I'm embarrassed to tell you I have never attempted homemade pie crust. And believe me, I'm many, many moons older than you.

Robj98168 said...

I have toruble tih my pie crusts. So I buy pie crust- real sustainable huh?
Your pie looks fantastic- I am gonna try your recipe and I will try the crust too

Eve said...

Just pass the Vanilla ice cream and stand back! LOL...that looks so good.

I'm putting this recipe in my file for our anniversay in Oct. It won't be as good without apples fresh from the tree though.

Dawn said...

Hi dp, Deep dish pie is what I call pie made in a cake pan and boy, oh boy, taste too yummy. How lucky to have a apple tree! Esp. since it's madame's favorite apple!

Dave said...

It looks good! Hmm if only they could transmit how it smells online.

Cindy said...

DP ~ That looks so good, I'll be over for a slice - LOL.

Anonymous said...

OMG, dp. Put me a big slice on a plate & I'll be right over. {Just kidding} but it looks so good. I use to make pies from fresh apples. I sure do miss them. Another way I liked to use apples was to wash, slice into wide slices, cut out seeds, put butter in iron skillet, cook slow till tender, put a drop of coloring if desired. Add sugar to taste. Yummy.

Dan said...

Now that looks good, you are one good baker. I have not made apple pie since last fall, it is my favorite especially when it is served with cheddar cheese. Some may find this weird but it is so good together. If I am overly ambitious I make a few pies at once and freeze the extra unbaked. Then all you need to do is thaw the pie and it's ready to be baked.

tina said...

It looks so good! And the apples are pretty appetizing too.

DP Nguyen said...

Hi Hap, the apple trees (we have two) in our yard are always very plentiful, and I am always looking for new recipes to try. (or at least think about).

Hi Carla, the apple trees are nice to have. Some people don't like them because they tend to drop with all the apples, but I love them. The apple pie turned out to be quite delicious!

Hi TC, that pie would be good wit vanilla ice cream. I might have to buy a pint next time. I am not a member of that association, but I will have to check it out. My time and money are unfortunately limited, so I don't know if I have the time to participate in it. Thank you for the suggestion!

Hi Susie, I didn't have any ice cream this time, but next time, I think I might try. It would be yummy! I've been working on perfecting that pie crusts for several years. I finally got it right this year, and it's so easy to make and so much fun. I don't like the taste of store-bought pie crust.

Hi Rob, I used to have trouble rolling out the pie crust, but now i put wax paper between it before I roll it out, and it makes the process much easier. Try my pie crust recipe and let me know what you think. I hope you like it. It is very good and flaky too!

Hi Eve, I hope you get to try this recipe in october. it is very good. Just buy some golden delicious or granny smiths from the store, and you're all set!

Hi Dawn, I like that name, deep dish pie. lol. I'm glad I'm not the only one who makes it in cake pans, even if it was accidental!

Hi Dave, Don't you just love the smell of apple pie fresh from the oven? The wonderful aroma fills up the house. :-)

Hi Cindy- I wish I could give you a piece! It was yummy!

Hi Lola, Thanks for the idea. I cooked apples in butter once, and I agree, it was pretty good. But I do enjoy the crust from the apple pie. Although your apple method sounds simple and easy!

Hi Dan, I enjoy baking. It's one of my favorite things to do. It relaxes me. I think a lot of people enjoy apple pie with cheddar cheese. Unfortunately, I'm not a cheese person, lol. I may think about freezing some pies for winter.

Hi Tina- It was so delicious! Have fun with Skeeter this weekend.

Dan said...

It is so worth the little extra time to make a few extra pies at once if you have the time. The mess is already made so all it takes is a few more batches of dough and more cut up apples. It is very nice to have fresh pies with out the work down the road.

Speaking of baking my Mom has a baking blog. Although she has not put much up in the last month due to work way to much she usually post something every weeks. It is at http://canadianbakertoo.blogspot.com/

DP Nguyen said...

Hi Dan, I will have check our her blog!