How To Make Apple Pie : Independent Watkins Associate Melody Thacker
Ranked #1,914 in Food, #44,974 overall
Make The Best Homemade Apple Pie
I love apple pie, the delightful smell as it bakes, the flaky crust and sweet spicey filling. There are a few secrets to making a great apple pie, so keep reading to learn more...
First of all you need to start with the very best ingredients! Firm, juicy, perfectly ripe apples, plus top quality spices and baking supplies.
I'm lucky to be able to pick apples in my own back yard, so I freeze sliced apples and can some pie filling while they're in season. You can look for local growers in your area and apples are always available at the supermarket.
Here you'll find some great recipes and tips to get you baking the best homemade apple pie ever. Enjoy!
Apple Pie Contents
What's here?
- Pastry - Apple Pie Crust
- How To Make and Freeze Fresh Apples For Pie
- Old Fashioned Apple Pie
- Apple Pie Toppers
- No-Sugar Apple Pie
- Praline Apple and Cranberry Pie
- Why Do All The Recipes Call For Watkins?
- How To Keep Sliced Apples From Turning Brown.
- Ground Cinnamon For The Best Apple Pie
- Just The Right Spice
- Where to find all the good stuff to make apple pie!
- Let's Talk About Apple Pie!
- Pie Plates on Amazon
- Thanks For Visiting!
Pastry - Apple Pie Crust
A great apple pie starts with the pastry!
Ingredients:1-1/2 cups/375 mL all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp/2.5 mL salt
1/2 cup/125 mL vegetable shortening
3 to 5 tbsp/45 to 75 mL cold water
Cooking Directions: First, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening with pastry blender until pieces are the size of small peas. Next, sprinkle in water, 1 tbsp/15 ml at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and pastry clings together pulling away from the side of bowl.
Tip: Try to use as little water as possible for the flakiest crust.
Now, gather pastry into a ball; shape into flattened round on lightly floured cloth-covered board. Roll from center to edge to about 1/8 inch/3 mm thickness. Roll pastry 2 inches larger than inverted pie plate. Fold pastry into quarters and ease into pie plate, pressing firmly against bottom and sides. Trim overhanging pastry 1 inch/2.5 cm from rim of plate. Fold and roll under even with plate. Flute edges if desired. Fill and bake as directed on recipe.
For baked pie shell: Prick bottom and sides thoroughly with fork. Bake at 450ºF/235ºC for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack.
Makes one generous pie shell, double the recipe to make a covered pie.
Nutrition Facts: Makes 10 servings.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories 160;
Protein 2 g; Carbohydrates 14 g; Sodium 110 mg;
Fat 10 g; Saturated Fat 3 g; Cholesterol 0 mg and
Dietary Fiber 1 g.
More tips: Don't overwork the dough, the less handling the better for a more tender and flaky crust.
Don't try to stretch the dough to fit the pie pan, it will only shrink away from the edge when baked.
You can make pastry dough ahead, flatten into a 5-inch disk, wrap well in plastic, and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
How To Make and Freeze Fresh Apples For Pie
How To Easily Freeze Apples
You'll need:
Large zip top bags
A sharp paring knife
Pie pans
An apple peeler, corer, slicer - this is optional but makes the work go much faster if you have a lot of apples to prepare. See the Super Store section below for some good models.
This is my favorite method as it's quick and easy. If you work fast and freeze each bag right away the apples won't have a chance to turn brown.
Peel apples, quarter and core, or use the handy peeler mentioned above to prepare. Place prepared apples in a large zip top bag, press out excess air before sealing, lay the bag in the pie pan, shape apples to the pan and place in the freezer. Once apples are frozen, you can remove the pan.
To bake a pie, prepare crust of your choice, line pie pan then add frozen apples, sugar, spices etc according to the recipe you are following. Cover with top pastry and bake. You'll need to allow extra baking time when using frozen apples.
Old Fashioned Apple Pie
Just like Grandma used to make!
Ingredients:Pastry for 2-crust 9-inch/23-cm pie (double recipe)
2/3 to 3/4 cup/160 to 180 mL sugar, depending on tartness of apples
2 tbsp/30 mL all-purpose flour
1-1/2 tbsp/25 mL Watkins Apple Bake Seasoning
1 tsp/5 mL Watkins Original Double Strength Vanilla Extract
7 cups/1.75 liters thinly sliced, peeled and cored apples
1 tbsp/15 mL butter (or margarine if you must!)
1 egg beaten
1-1/2 tsp/7.5 mL sugar
Pinch of Watkins Cinnamon
Cooking Directions
Prepare and roll out pastry. Place one crust in 9-inch/23-cm pie plate; set aside. In small bowl, combine sugar and next three ingredients; mix well. Place half of apples in pie crust; sprinkle with half of sugar mixture. Top with rest of apples and sugar mixture. Dot filling with butter. Cut out apple or leaf designs in remaining crust and place over pie. Trim and flute edges. Brush top crust with beaten egg and sprinkle with combination of remaining sugar and cinnamon. Bake at 400ºF/205ºC for 40 to 50 minutes or until crust is golden and apples are tender and juicy. Cover top and edges with foil if pie starts to become too brown.
Makes 8 servings.
Tip: The egg wash glaze is the secret to a beautiful golden crust.
Watkins Apple Bake Seasoning is a well-balanced blend of cinnamon and other spices that perfectly compliment apple pies, cobblers, crisps, baked apples etc.
Apple Pie Toppers
Do you like to eat your apple pie ala mode with ice cream, with a dollop of whipped cream, with a slice of cheddar cheese or do you prefer plain pie?
No-Sugar Apple Pie
For diabetics and those of you who wish to follow a sugar free diet.
Ingredients:1 can (12 oz/340 g) frozen apple juice concentrate, thawed
1/3 cup/80 mL Watkins Vanilla Dessert Mix
2 tsp/10 mL Watkins Apple Bake Seasoning
1/4 tsp/1.2 mL salt
2 tbsp/30 mL butter or margarine
5 to 6 large Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored and sliced
One 9-inch/23-cm baked pastry pie shell
Cooking Directions: In large heavy saucepan or Dutch oven, combine apple juice, Vanilla Dessert Mix, Apple Bake Seasoning, salt, and butter; mix well. Add apples and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture begins to bubble. Cook, stirring occasionally, until apples slices are fork-tender. Let cool in pan about 30 minutes before spooning into baked pastry shell. Chill until serving time.
Nutrition Facts: Makes 10 servings.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories 260;
Protein 1 g; Carbohydrates 50 g; Sodium 160 mg; Fat 8 g; Saturated Fat 4 g; Cholesterol 10 mg; Dietary Fiber 3 g
Praline Apple and Cranberry Pie
Pie:3/4 cup/180 mL brown sugar
1/2 cup/125 mL Watkins Vanilla Dessert Mix
1-1/2 tsp/7.5 mL Watkins Cinnamon
6 cups/1.5 L peeled, sliced tart green apples
1-3/4 cups/425 mL fresh cranberries
2 tbsp/30 mL lemon juice
1 9-inch/23-cm prepared, unbaked pastry pie crust
Topping:
1/2 cup/125 mL unsalted butter
3/4 cup/180 mL brown sugar
2 tbsp/30 mL evaporated milk
1-1/2 tsp/7.5 mL Watkins Original Double-Strength Vanilla
1/2 tsp/2.5 mL Watkins Caramel Extract
1 cup/250 mL chopped walnuts
Cooking Directions Pie: Combine first three ingredients. Add apples, cranberries and lemon juice; toss to coat well. Spoon mixture into pie crust, mounding in center. Bake at 350°F/180°C until apples are tender, about 1-1/2 hours. Cover with foil the last 30 to 45 minutes to prevent overbrowning. Transfer to rack; uncover and cool.
Topping: To prepare topping, melt butter with brown sugar and milk in a heavy skillet over low heat, stirring frequently. Increase heat and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly. Mix in vanilla and caramel extracts, then walnuts. Pour mixture into a bowl, let stand until slightly thickened and just cool, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Spoon topping over pie, covering completely. Let stand until topping sets, about 30 minutes.
Makes 10 servings.
Why Do All The Recipes Call For Watkins?
I'm so glad you asked!
I love Watkins products, we use them everyday and yes, I sell them too. If you'd like to learn more about Watkins products you have come to right place!-
Watkins Products
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Watkins offers you the highest quality products, the common items that we all use on a daily basis; ingredients for cooking, baking, non-toxic cleaners and the things you need to take care of yourself and your family. And every product is backed by W...
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Watkins Gourmet Foods
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Chances are good that your Grandmother could tell you about Watkins! I like cooking and baking with Watkins gourmet foods so much I joined the company! I hope that you will enjoy the selection of recipes I have to share with you here. More recip...
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Watkins Spices
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You may have already heard of Watkins award winning black pepper and cinnamon but we also have a whole lot more. Allow me to introduce you to the finest quality herbs, spices and seasonings all backed by Watkins 100% money back guarantee! You'll disc...
How To Keep Sliced Apples From Turning Brown.
Work fast or try these tips!
I've been asked, "How do you keep sliced apples from becoming brown?" There are several methods that will prevent apples from turning brown after they are peeled and sliced. Try these!If you are just making one pie make the pastry first, roll it out and have the pastry lined pie plate ready before you start preparing the apples. Then apply the top and bake. This is the work fast method!
One of the most common methods to stop prepared apples from going brown is to squeeze a little fresh or bottled lemon juice on the apple pieces. Another method is to place the apples piece in water that has had lemon juice added to it. Use about 1/4 cup lemon juice to 1 quart of cold water.
Ascorbic acid can also be added to water to create an anti-browning solution. Directions will be on the container. Or try adding one crushed vitamin C tablet to a quart of water.
As a last resort you can mix 1 teaspoon of salt in one quart of water and drop prepared apples in it.
When placing apples in a water bath, do not over soak them. Drain well and pat dry before using.
Why do apple go brown? When fresh apples are peeled or cut open, the apple's cells are exposed to and react with the oxygen in the air. This reaction is called oxidation, and is what turns the apple brown. The smaller the pieces the more surface area is exposed to browning.
Ground Cinnamon For The Best Apple Pie
Just The Right Spice
Make some good to go with your pie!
Recipes, cooking tips and easy to follow how to cook articles.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byWhere to find all the good stuff to make apple pie!
Gourmet Ingredients
Pantry essentials for gourmet tasting results even if you are a beginner!
1
Watkins Online Store Canada
Watkins famous cinnamon and apple bake spices will more...0 points
2
Watkins Online US
Watkins famous cinnamon, vanilla and apple bake sp more...0 points
Let's Talk About Apple Pie!
Please sign the guest book!
Is apple pie your favorite? How do you like to eat it? Your comments, ratings and referrals are very much appreciated and I hope you have found this lens helpful. Thank you for visiting!
mulberry wrote...
Looks like a great collection of recipes. I am going to feature your lens on a new one I'm in the process of building about apples in general.
Posted February 11, 2009
destiny wrote
That apple pie was the BEST!!!!!!
Posted December 18, 2008
Gordon_Hamilton wrote...
A lot of delicious ideas on this superbly constructed lens. Not normally a lover of sweet things but I can try some of them for my family.
Posted December 09, 2008
SemperFidelis wrote...
I've visited before and like your lens even more the second time!
Blessed by a Squid Angel today! :)
Colleen ~ www.squidoo.com/squid-angel
Posted September 03, 2008
Treasures-By-Brenda wrote...
Pie of any sort is my favorite dessert choice but I am not an accomplished pie maker. Thanks for the recipes and a great lens.
Brenda
Posted August 31, 2008
LisaKnowsTheSecret wrote...
Apple pie is my son's favourite food ever, he even has one with candles in it instead of a birthday cake (he's 19 now so need to make bigger pies to get all the candles in!). He votes my mum as the best pie-maker, he has an allergy to milk and egg so she makes a special pastry recipe just for him.
Keep up the good work, 5 stars for a wonderful lens, Lisa
Posted May 13, 2008
gurneywagon wrote...
Apples AND pralines???? Yum! I'll have to try that one.
Although not "heart healthy" like your, I too, have a lens on pie crust. I've lensrolled you and give you 5*
Posted April 23, 2008
DianaWalker wrote...
Hi Melody!
Wow -- I'm so excited that you are Lens of the Day -- this is a TERRIFIC lens. Makes me hungry for apple pie, that is for sure!
Diana
Posted November 21, 2007
TexasDave wrote...
Great Lens! I need to try these recipes out for Thanksgiving.
Posted November 20, 2007
BethC wrote
Just in time for Thanksgiving (and the 8 apples sitting in my kitchen waiting to be "pied". Great lens
Posted November 20, 2007
calicoskies wrote
Great Lens!
Posted November 20, 2007
maidens wrote...
Yummy! Check out our Thanksgiving history lens!
http://www.squidoo.com/thanksgivinghistory/
We need ratings.
Posted November 20, 2007
debsgreatfinds wrote...
love your lens great job you made me want an apple pie.
Posted November 20, 2007
DenaG wrote...
Oh gosh. I am an apple freak. Anything with apples just makes me go mmmmmmmmmmm. Apple pie is probaby my favorite food IN THE WORLD.
Very nice lens!!
I have some nice sugar free/heart friendly apple recipes on my heart health blog.
Dena
http://mynaturalfitness.com/blog
Posted November 20, 2007
grannyann wrote...
Hi - great recipes. I added your lens to our holiday recipe page: http://www.zoinkies.com/recipes/holidayrecipes.htm
Posted November 19, 2007
hmsweaver wrote...
I love pie! Do you remember that pie song from the movie "Michael?" Me oh my, I love pie! Nice lens. Makes me hungry.
Posted November 19, 2007
SemperFidelis wrote...
Very appetizing lens. Congrats on LOTD! Keep up the good work. :o)
Posted November 19, 2007
Squidoophile wrote...
ok I'll buy some Watkins products and try to make apple pies like I imagined, thanx alot.
hope that this pie would look, taste and smell like i reallly want.
the most thing i liked is the gramma's apple ie , this is the first thing i would try.
don't you notice that everything gramma do is good?
Posted November 19, 2007
Pie Plates on Amazon
Pie plates, pans, deep dishes...
Oxo SteeL Pie Server
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 07/13/2009) 
Pyrex Bakeware 9-1/2-Inch Scalloped Pie Plate, Clear
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 07/13/2009)
Cuisinart Chef's Classic 9-Inch Nonstick Deep-Dish Pie Pan
Amazon Price: $10.95 (as of 07/13/2009)
Lenox Butterfly Meadow Deep Pie Dish
Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 07/13/2009)
Nordic Ware Naturals Hi-Dome 10 Inch Pie Pan with Lid
Amazon Price: $15.00 (as of 07/13/2009)
Thanks For Visiting!
P.S. Support Charity
When you purchase your pie baking utensils from Amazon or the SuperStore on this page you'll automatically be making a donation to the Squidoo Charity Fund!Wow, I'm honored this lens featured as a Lens of the day!
Thank you for visiting! Your comments, questions, ratings and referrals are very much appreciated and I hope you have found this lens helpful. Please go here to learn more about Watkins Products.
The statements made and opinions expressed in this lens are those of the Independent Watkins Associate who is the publisher of this document, and are not to be construed as the statements or opinions of Watkins Incorporated.
by melody-thacker
I'm an ordinary person, who's world revolves around her family.
I believe that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.
I love my profession and am...
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