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Apple Pie

CARAMEL APPLE PIE
(Double Crust Pastry)

4 c. peeled Granny Smith apples sliced (about 3 lbs. or 7 to 8 medium apples)
4 c. peeled Red apples sliced (about 3 lbs. or 7 to 8 medium apples)

2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/4 c. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
juice of 1/2 a lemon (about 1 Tbsp.)
1 large egg mixed w/ 1 Tbsp. milk for brushing on the pie before baking
Coarse sugar for sprinkling top before baking
Ice cream and caramel sauce for serving if desired
To make the pie:  Whisk together the brown sugar, flour and cinnamon. Toss the sliced apples with the lemon juice, then sprinkle with the brown sugar mixture. Toss with a spatula to combine. Set aside while rolling out the pastry dough. 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. If using our pastry recipe, remove the dough from the refrigerator and allow it to rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to make it easier to roll out. Roll out half the dough on a heavily floured, clean work surface to a 12-inch circle. Gently fit the pastry dough into a deep dish 9-inch pie plate taking care not to stretch the dough. Trim the edges of the dough leaving a 1-inch overhang.  Fill the pastry with the apple mixture, pressing down gently on the apples to form a domed pie.

Drizzle 3/4 cup of the caramel sauce over the apples. Retain the remaining caramel sauce to drizzled over individual slices of pie when served.  Roll out the remaining disc of pastry dough and fit over the apples in a lattice pattern or any design you desire. Trim the dough to match the bottom pastry overhang. Dampen the edges with a wet finger to moisten and press to seal. Flute the edges in a decorative pattern.  Lightly brush the entire top of the pie with the egg and milk mixture using a soft pastry or BBQ brush. Discard the remaining egg mixture.

Sprinkle the top of the pie with sugar then place on a foil lined baking sheet. Bake the pie for 60-75 minutes or until golden brown with a bubbling filling. If the crust is over-browning during baking, tent with foil.  Cool completely before serving so the juices will not run out when sliced. If you don’t mind a juicy slice of pie, serve slightly warm. Great topped with a scoop of ice cream and drizzled with additional caramel sauce.

CARAMEL SAUCE
1/2 c. water
1-1/4 c. white sugar
1/2 tsp. sea salt or 1/4 teaspoon table salt
1 c. heavy cream
2 tsp. vanilla vanilla extract
To make the Caramel Sauce:  Measure the cream and have it ready when needed.  Combine the water, granulated sugar and salt in a medium, heavy bottom, deep saucepan. Over medium heat, cook the simple syrup until it comes to a boil, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar.

Once the mixture comes to a boil, cook without stirring until the syrup is light honey colored. Be sure to carefully shake and swirl the pan as needed to ensure even caramelization of the syrup. Don’t walk away from the pan, once it starts to color, it can turn dark quickly.  Carefully add the cream and stir with a wooden spoon to combine.

Allow the mixture to cook, stirring constantly for about 1 minute.    Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla bean paste. Set aside while preparing the pie. The caramel can be made ahead of time, stored in a jar and refrigerated until needed. Warm the caramel slightly at 50% power in the microwave before adding to the pie.
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BLUE RIBBON APPLE PIE
Crust

2-1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. white sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
3/4 c. cold butter, cut into chuncks
6 to 9 Tbsp. cold water

Filling
1/2 c. white sugar
1/4 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
6 medium (6 cups) tart cooking apples, peeled, cored, sliced 1/4 inch
1 Tbsp. butter, melted
1 tsp. white sugar
  1. STEP 1 - Combine 2 1/2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon sugar, salt, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg in bowl. Cut in 3/4 cup butter with pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in enough water with fork just until flour is moistened.
  2. STEP 2 - Divide dough in half; shape each half into ball. Flatten slightly. Wrap each ball of dough in plastic food wrap; refrigerate 30 minutes.
  3. STEP 3 - Heat oven to 400°F.
  4. STEP 4 - Roll out one ball of dough on lightly floured surface into 12-inch circle. Fold into quarters. Place dough into ungreased 9-inch pie plate; unfold dough, pressing firmly against bottom and sides. Trim crust to 1/2 inch from edge of pie plate; set aside.
  5. STEP 5 - Combine all filling ingredients except apples, 1 tablespoon butter and 1 teaspoon sugar in bowl. Add apples; toss lightly to coat. Spoon apple mixture into prepared crust.
  6. STEP 6 - Roll remaining ball of dough into 12-inch circle. Fold into quarters. Place dough over filling; unfold. Trim, seal and crimp or flute edge. Cut 5 or 6 large slits in crust. Brush with 1 tablespoon melted butter; sprinkle with 1 teaspoon sugar. Cover edge of crust with 2-inch strip aluminum foil.
  7. STEP 7 - Bake 35 minutes; remove foil. Continue baking 10-20 minutes or until crust is lightly browned and juice begins to bubble through slits in crust. Cool pie 30 minutes; serve warm. Store refrigerated.
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Apple Picking Time - August 7th

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The love of a family, is one of life's greatest blessings.