Apple Pie

I bought a tote of apples last week and had about 10 left so I needed to do something with them.  What better than to make a delicious apple pie (served with vanilla ice cream of course)! I once again turned to my Betty Crocker cookbook since she must have the best recipe, right?!? Well as it turns out I was right and here is what you will need to find out for yourself:

6-8 medium apples, peeled and sliced (I used macoun)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1.5 tablespoons cinnamon
1.5 tablespoons nutmeg
Pinch of salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons water
1.5 tablespoons sugar
Pie crust (I use the pre-made since I don't have time to make it from scratch when I bake at 8pm all the time, it tastes great and you really can't tell a difference)

First line your pie plate with one of the pie crusts.  

Next mix the sugar, flour and spices in a bowl. Add your sliced apples and toss.  Place apple mixture into the pie plate and top with your butter pieces.

 I chose to cut out apple shapes in my top crust but all you need to do is put a couple slits in the center to vent. Place the crust on top, crimping the edges along the pie plate. Brush the top with water ans sprinkle with sugar.  

 Before placing it in the oven wrap the edges of the pie with tin foil to prevent the sides from burning (you will want to remove the foil about 15 minutes before it is done). 

 Bake in a 425 degree oven for about 40 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool on a wire rack for at least an hour and then serve warm topped with vanilla ice cream! 

Enjoy!

Mini Salted Caramel Apple Pies

It is clearly apple season and there is just tooooo many things that you can do with them.  Baking with them is favorite, everything from cobblers, to cakes, to crisps and most importantly pies!  One of my personal favorites is caramel covered apples, so I decided to take that and turn it into a pie and made these Mini Salted Caramel Apple Pies! I basically used a traditional apple pie recipe and added some chopped up caramel to them.  Here is what you will need,

1 granny smith apple, diced
1 Macintosh apple, diced
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 egg, lightly beat with 1 tablespoon water
8 chewy caramels, chopped
Sea salt to taste
1 Pre-made pie crust


First I mixed the first 6 ingredients together in a bowl and set aside.  Next I took my pie crusts and placed them on the counter, using a glass I cut out 18 circles.  Line your baking sheet with parchment paper and place half the circles on the sheet.  Spoon the apple filling onto the center of the crusts, leaving room to add the caramel pieces.  Divided the chopped up caramel pieces between all the pies and sprinkle with sea salt.   Place the rest of the crust circles on top and press with a fork around the edges, like below.

 Lastly, with a sharp knife cut slits in the top for ventilation and brush with your egg wash.  Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes of until golden brown on top.  Remove from oven and serve warm topped with caramel swirled vanilla ice cream! Enjoy!