For the last few months, I have been working on a new recipe that I wanted to get perfect. I am finally really happy with it and wanted to share the outcome. I also wanted to make a recipe that could create big results in with a low time cost. My apple pie is a little different, because I cook the apples completely before we bake the pie. This recipe can make you look like a rock star and it will only take you 30 minutes to prepare.
But before we get ahead of ourselves, we should start with the most important part of any pie; the crust! The crust I make is really simple and if you do it right will be light and crispy.
Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
Crust Ingredients
- 2 cups of flour
- 10 tablespoons of butter
- 2 ½ Tablespoons of sugar
- Lemon Rind
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 egg yolk mixed with a splash of milk (for egg wash)
Take the flour and sugar and combine in a bowl with the lemon rind. I soften the butter (don’t completely melt it). Put the butter in with the dry goods and work with a fork. Once you have the mix started add the egg yolk and lemon rind in the mix. I find that if you work it with fork it is easier than a mixer and you want to be gently and not over work the dough. When it is fully mixed, create two balls of dough. Put one in your fridge. This process should take about 5 minutes.
Now roll out the dough large enough to cover the bottom of your pie plate. When it comes to pie plates, I like ceramic rather than glass or aluminum. I think it will cook more even and it tends to look real cool when it is done.
Filling Ingredients
So now for the real fun.
- Knob of butter
- Flour for dusting
- 1 or 2 large hard eating apples (I like Honey Crisp)
- 3 small baking apples (best to use granny smith)
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons Cinnamon
- Splash of vanilla extract or brandy vanilla
The beauty of the filling is that you are going to create all the rich flavor during the prep process. The first step is to slice and peal the apples. I use a speed peeler and slicer; this allows me to complete the 5 apples in about 10 minutes. I also don’t worry about perfection. the peal has a lot of flavor so leave bits on.
Combine the apple, brown sugar, cinnamon and butter in a pan. You sauté the apples until they are completely cooked and the brown sugar butter and liquid from the apples becomes a loose sauce. As it is close to done add the vanilla.
Note: I have taken to using a real vanilla bean that has been soaked in bourbon. I slice the bean down the side and throw the whole bean in the pan. Just remember to remove the bean before you add the filling to the pie.
I find this takes about 15 mins.
Finishing the pie
Take your apple mix and put them in the pie plate (pack them tightly). I take a little bit of flour and dust over the top. Grab your second ball of dough and roll it out for the top. Lay over the top of the pie and cut a few slits in the crust. Don’t worry how it looks. Make your egg wash and brush over the top. You are done.
Now just bake in the oven 45 to 50 minutes (this may be different based on type of oven and elevation). If you do this, you will have hacked an apple pie that will taste as good or better than anything you could get at a store.
Jeremiah Andrick