2024-11-11

I’m making a single 9″ pie today, so half the crust recipe, the top will be a bacon weave with every other strip missing.
The apple filling will be 3/4 sliced, cooked apples, and the rest will be more of a canned apple pie filling.
Feel free to serve with aged/sharp cheddar, and a scoop of ice cream for what I now call “The All-American”

Hot water crust

Ingredients
  

  • 200 ml warm water 1 cup
  • 75 g unsalted butter 1/2 cup
  • 75 g lard 1/2 cup
  • 450 g all-purpose flour 3 cups
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil

Instructions
 

  • Place the water, butter, and lard in a saucepan, heat gently until a low boil..
  • Place flour and salt into a large bowl, and whisk in the egg and oil.
  • Add the melted fat mixture, and stir together with a wooden spoon, or cut in with knives. Make sure to scrape the bowl while combining the dough.
  • Gently knead for 1-2 minutes. You should end with a greasy dough that's smooth and shiny.
  • Form a ball, cover with clingwrap, and chill for an hour.
  • Save 1/3 for the top portion. Roll the big part to 13" diameter to make a 9" deep-dish pie, or 3 x 6.5" or 2 x 8" pies.
  • Bake at 375F for around 25 minutes, or until the top of the pie is golden brown.

Notes

  • The amounts in the notes are slightly more than the metric, but are approximately the same ratios for flour-water-fat mixture.
  • Check the edges of the pie crust after 20 minutes. If they are significantly more brown than the middle, cover with a pie shield, or gently wrap some aluminum foil around the outer edge of the pie.
  • Optional - add up to 1/4 cup sugar if you want a sweet crust.
  • Optional - beat an egg and wash the top crust before baking.

 

Apple Pie Filling

Ingredients
  

  • 4.5 lbs Mix of Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, and Golden Delicious. Approx 8 large applies Mix is ideal, 2 types is okay, but not mandatory.
  • 1/2 cup sugar, divided into 1/4 cups
  • 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Instructions
 

  • Peel and core the apples and slice into 1/2-inch thick wedges. Toss apples with 1/4 cup of the sugar, place in a colander set over a large bowl, and drain for 1 1/2 hours.
  • Transfer the drained liquid to a small saucepan, place over medium heat, and cook until it is reduced down to 2 tablespoons, then set aside to cool.
  • Toss the apples with the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, 2 tsp lemon juice, and 1/2 tsp cinnamon.

 

Apple Pie Filling (canned version)

This is just like the canned stuff, only better.
Course Dessert

Ingredients
  

Apples

  • 4 cups Peeled, cored, diced apples (1/2" or 1 cm cubes)
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup sugar

Sauce

  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 cup apple juice
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch

Instructions
 

  • I like to toss the apple pieces in the lemon juice as I'm cutting the apples, just to prevent them turning brown.
  • Mix the "apples" ingredients int a pot on medium-high heat, and gently stir for 15-20 minutes. The total cooking time will vary greatly depending how firm the apples are, and how soft you want the finished product.
  • Meanwhile, in another saucepan, bring 1 cup of apple juice to a boil.
  • Add the cinnamon and cornstarch, and whisk fully until incorporated.
  • Add this mixture to the cooking apples 5 minutes into the cooking process.
  • Gently stir, and let simmer until desired firmness is reached.

Notes

Oobleck - google it sometime.
It's always best to make a slurry of liquid + cornstarch before adding it to anything just to prevent clumps