The Perfect Apple Pie

I apologize for the lack of posts this week, it has been a very busy and eventful one to say the least. Since Sunday is a day of rest for many, including myself, I thought I'd post one of the best recipes I came across this week (in the few minutes I did have to spare) so that you can make it for your family or a special dinner party. Doesn't this pie just call out to you to grab a fork and dig in?!

 If you're not hosting a gathering in your home this year, this would make for the perfect apple pie to bring to a Thanksgiving dinner that you've been invited to. It will be an instant crowd pleaser. Don't worry, although this dessert is super yummy, the turkey is still the showstopper of the dinner table, so you won't steal the host's thunder or upstage her efforts. ;) This recipe is compliments of Better Homes and Gardens.

MILE-HIGH CARAMEL APPLE PIE RECIPE

Makes: 8 slices
Prep: 45 mins
Bake: 65 mins
Broil: 7 mins per batch

INGREDIENTS:


1/3 cup butter, melted

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

4 lb. cooking apples, such as Fuji or Granny Smith, cored and cut into 1/4-inch thick slices (about 12 cups)

1 recipe Oat Pastry for Caramel Apple Pie, OR one 15-oz. pkg. rolled refrigerated unbaked pie crust (2 crusts)

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 Tbsp. water

1 12-oz. jar caramel ice cream topping (about 1 cup)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 475F. In very large bowl combine butter and cinnamon; add apples and toss gently to coat. Spread apples evenly in a parchment paper- or foil-lined, large roasting pan or two 15x10x1-inch baking pans. Roast (one pan at a time if using baking pans) 4 to 5 inches from heat for 7 to 10 minutes or until apples start to brown on edges, turning once halfway through. Cool apples in pan(s). Reduce heat to 375F.

2. Prepare Oat Pastry or let refrigerated pastry stand at room temperature according to package directions. Line 9-inch pie plate with half of pastry as directed.

3. In very large bowl stir together brown sugar, flour, and salt. Add apple slices and any juices; stir to coat. Transfer to pastry-lined pie plate. Trim top crust to edge of pie plate. Fold top pastry edge under bottom pastry; crimp edge. Brush top with mixture of beaten egg and water. Cover edge of pie with foil to prevent overbrowning.

4. Place on middle shelf in oven; place foil-lined baking sheet on lower rack beneath pie. Bake 30 minutes; remove foil from pie. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes more or until top is golden and filling is bubbly. Remove to a wire rack. While warm, drizzle with some of the caramel topping. Cool completely. Serve with remaining topping. Makes 8 servings.

Oat Pastry: In medium bowl, stir together 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup quick cooking oats, and 1 teaspoon salt. Using pastry blender, cut in 2/3 cup shortening until pieces are pea-size. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon water over part of mixture; gently toss with fork. Push moistened dough to side of bowl. Repeat, using 1 tablespoon water at a time, until all dough is moistened. (You will need 8 to 10 Tbsp. total water.) Divide in half; form each half into a ball. On lightly floured surface, flatten 1 dough ball. Roll from center to edge into 12-inch circle. To transfer pastry, wrap around rolling pin; unroll into a 9-inch pie plate, being careful not to stretch pastry. Trim pastry even with rim of pie plate. Fill pie plate with filling. On lightly floured surface roll remaining dough into 14-inch circle; cut slits for stream to escape. Place on top of fruit filling; trim to 1/2 inch beyond edge of pie plate. Fold top crust under bottom crust; crimp edge. Makes pastry for 2-crust pie.

You can click on the recipe title link above if you want to simply visit the original site and bookmark it for later.

Visit my fabulous fare post to get more great baking ideas and to see a new food blog I came across a few months ago with many yummy recipes.

What is YOUR favorite pie recipe? Do you have a dessert that you make as a tradition every Thanksgiving or a fall recipe that you just found and are dying to make? Share the link with us or leave a comment.