Desserts

Apple Butter Pie

Image

Drescription

Using a combo of butter and shortening produces a tender and flakey crust. And making it with frozen butter in the food processor is a snap. The lovely, smooth filling is a wonderful step up from plain, old apple pie.

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, left in a stick and frozen rock solid
  • 2 1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon finely ground salt
  • 3/4 cup spectrum non-hydrogenated vegetable shortening
  • 6 tablespoons ice cold water (up to 10, if needed)
  • 1 egg white, for glazing the crust, beaten with a tablespoon of water
  • 2 1/4 cups well spiced apple butter, homemade or bought at the farmers market
  • 3 large eggs, plus the yolk from above
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar

Directions

  1. In a mixing bowl whisk the eggs with the sugar until frothy. Add the apple butter and whisk to combine. Set it aside.
  2. Place a rack 1/3 from the top of the oven. Preheat the oven to 375° F. Get your mis en place together for the pie crust. Have a 8-inch pie pan ready.
  3. Place the grater attachment into the bowl of a food processor and grate the frozen butter into the bowl. Immediately remove the grater and put the plastic dough or metal chopping blade in place. Add the flour, salt and shortening.
  4. Pulse the mixture until you have coarse crumbs. Start adding the water and pulse until the dough just starts to come together. It will still be partly floury crumbly with some wet cous cous looking dough in the center.
  5. Dump the dough onto the counter. It will be crumbly still. Kneed it until it is smooth and hydrated, adding sprinkles of water if necessary. Divide the dough in half. Flatten it, then dust both sides with flour. Dust the countertop too. Roll out the bottom crust by setting your pin in the middle of a round and roll forward. Pick up the pin and place it back in the center and then roll backward.
  6. Turn the dough 90 degrees and place the pin in the middle and roll away from you and then lift the pin and place it back in the center and roll it pulling backwards. Don't be afraid to dust the countertop with more flour if necessary, remember the counter top side of the dough will be down so the flour will be absorbed by the filling. If you are applying the same amount of pressure on each push of the pin you should wind up with a round dough bottom.
  7. Using the rolling pin as the center gently roll the crust around the pin and the place it onto the pie pan. Gently push, pull and adjust the crust so that you have overhang all the way around the tin. Fill the pie with the filling.
  8. Roll out the top crust just the same.
  9. Brush some of the egg wash around the edges of the bottom crust to act as glue. Unroll the top crust and using the rolling pin gently roll it across the top of the pie to seal it.
  10. Using a sharp knife run it around the outside edges of the pie tin cutting off the excess crust. Crimp the edges of the dough, brush the top with the egg wash and then slice a couple of small vents in the middle of the pie. Slice the vents after the egg wash otherwise you will seal the vents. Let the pie sit for 3 to 5 minutes so the crust absorbs the wash.
  11. Place the pie on a sheet tray in case it overflows and then place it into the oven. Bake for 25 minutes.
  12. Rotate the pie, turn the heat down to 325° F and then bake for another 35 minutes. Cool completely. Serve and slice.

Related Post

Image
Banana Bread

Lemon Berry Ricotta Toast

Creamy ricotta cheese keeps fresh, sweet berries in place in this quick and simple breakfast. Good, crusty whole-grain bread will make all the difference here. Blueberries, strawberries, blackberries or a mix of the three all work well.

Read More
Image
Lunch

Cucumber & Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Wrap

This easy vegetarian wrap makes a great grab-and-go lunch for work or school. Roasted red pepper hummus adds color and a little extra flavor, but any flavor hummus will work well here. Cucumber, sprouts, salad greens or spinach all add a refreshing crunch. For a peppery kick, try using arugula.

Read More
Image
Vegetarian

Honey Lemon Roasted Carrots

These honey lemon roasted carrots combine the sweetness of honey, the brightness of lemon, and the aromatic flavor of mint; an ideal addition to any spring gathering or festive Easter or Passover table.

Read More
Image
Breakfast

Breakfast PLT Pancetta Lettuce & Tomato

Breakfast PLT (Pancetta, Lettuce & Tomato) is a savory sandwich featuring crispy pancetta, fresh lettuce, and ripe tomato layered on toasted bread. A tasty, fresh twist on the classic BLT, perfect for breakfast or brunch.

Read More