Inside this edition: Is an easy apple pie recipe that will leave you wanting more.
Hey y’all! It’s me – your girl Rainey trying to make life simple for YOU – my tribe – The Rainey Crew. Whenever, Fall rolls around those cooler temps give me the comfort food feeling. My favorite comfort food is apple pie. Take note I said comfort food not dessert. I along with the rest of my family are firm believers that apple pie can be eaten at any time of day or for any meal. I started making apple pies every Fall about twenty years ago. Never have I bought a store-bought apple pie, because I have created the recipe for making the easiest apple pie ever. My son is my biggest fan and we always compare my pie with others we buy in restaurants. Need I say whose pie tastes better? My apple pie recipe will delight your taste buds.
Tip #1: THE DOUGH
The first reason why this pie is so simple to make is because I use store bought pie dough. If you are a brand name fan then Pillsbury is my go-to brand, however store brands such as Safeway and Giant I have also used with great success. For me the dough is the hardest part of the pie to make and takes a lot of quality time. I recognize that I am not skilled in making pastry dough, so that is my first tip in making an awesome pie your family will love without all the work.
Tip #2: THE TIME SAVER
For years I would use my vegetable peeler and an apple corer to create my masterpiece. Alas, when I did finally share my masterpiece with a neighbor, and disclosed how much time it took me, she asked me why I did not use an apple peeler/corer tool. I looked at her like she had horns growing out of her head. There was such a thing, and please don’t laugh at me, I honestly did not know? I’ll be damned sure enough at the Bed Bath & Beyond there it was.
Sure enough ten minutes and one 20% off coupon later I was in possession of my first and only apple peeler/corer. A tool that shaved off at least thirty minutes of prep time for me. If you plan to make apple pies on the regular be sure to get one. Your hands will thank you and it’s a good buy that lasts a long time.
Tip# 3: THE APPLES
The final secrets to my Easy Apple Pie are the apples and the process. So, I follow all the directions for the dough on the box. Nothing special there. Just take it out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature. Meanwhile you can start preparing your apples. Secret One. Do not be tricked into thinking that you must always use Granny Smith apples. That is a misconception of the highest order. In my opinion Granny Smith’s are too tart and require much more sugar than any one person should be consuming in one recipe. What you really need are apples that are not too sweet and not too tart, and should rely more on the natural sugar of your apples. Over the last 6 years or so after much experimenting I have discovered that Honeycrisp is my go-to apple. You’re welcome!
Secret Two. After you mix all the dry ingredients with the apples that are now peeled and sliced. Let them sit for 30-45 minutes absorbing all the sugary goodness. Then and only then are they ready for baking. I encourage you to try my version of this easy apple pie recipe ever. If it works out for you let me know. If it doesn’t let me know that too, and after you do it my way feel very to add your own twist, make your own crust, or if Granny Smith is your thing more power to you. This recipe is one of my successes, and this is my first time I am sharing it with the world. When it comes to making apple pies for me now it’s all about working smarter not harder.
THE RESULT – The Easy Apple Pie
I have included the recipe below, but after many years I have crafted it to my personal perfection. I have read many recipes, and I even tried a couple of those apple pie recipes, and none ever came out where it was edible, or the family came back for seconds. Many recipes require that the apples be cooked and simmered. Again, I cry foul. All I have ever ended up with is a soupy icky mess. Did I do it wrong? Probably yes. Would I try again? Most likely no. If anyone wants a cookbook with only pie recipes send me an email with your address, and I will send it to you for free (first come, first serve). If you are ready for an easy apple pie recipe that is sure to delight your taste buds try it and let me know what you think.
Rainey’s Easy Apple Pie
Ingredients
Crust
2 refrigerated pie crusts – Pillsbury or the store brand of your choice.
Filling
6 cups of cored, peeled and thinly sliced Honeycrisp apples
1 cup granulated sugar
¼ light brown sugar
2 tablespoons of flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon of salt
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
Preheat your conventional oven to 425 degrees.
In a small bowl mix all the dry ingredients listed with the exception of the lemon juice. Take the mixture and add it in small increments to the sliced apples until all the apples are coated. Add the lemon juice to the mixture stir once more, cover, and let sit for 30-45 minutes.
Unwrap the pie crust from the packaging, and place it in an ungreased 9-inch glass pie dish. Spoon the apple mixture into the dish. Do not overfill, or your second pie crust will not be able to fit over the filling. Wrap the edge of the top crust under the bottom crust and using your fingers pinch and flute to seal the pie closed. Cut small shapes or slits on the top crust to vent the pie.
Bake for 40-45 minutes, and let cool for up to 2 hours or as long as your family can wait to dig in.
Serve with vanilla ice cream if desired.
Try it and tell me what you think.