Blue Ribbon Kitchen: A is for Apple... First Place Apple Pie!!

I am seriously feeling like it CANNOT be mid-November...

How is this all happening so fast??

Here we are...just 8 days away from Thanksgiving...

I'm feeling a mid-September vibe.

...my calendar keeps telling me I'm wrong... very wrong.

The yard looks like November.

...but my dining room...
Nope.

...not Thanksgiving ready yet!!

But...in 8 days...
We. will. get. there.

My internal clock...it's not keeping up with the pace of the days

as they shuffle by me...

I LOVE Thanksgiving...I do.

It's a great big fun family day...
and also a ton of work...but I love it just the same.

If you need a little nudge...*(like me) to get on with

the Thanksgiving plans... well this post is for you!!

I was looking through my recipes...

and I am pretty sure I never posted a simple- no frills...

apple pie...

Just in time for Thanksgiving... I give you...

Fist Place Apple Pie. (Recipe is at the bottom of the post)

I am also re-sharing all

my very BEST

Thanksgiving readiness posts...

If you need help with pie dough, decorating

or keeping the kids busy... this is for you!!

Feel like homemade pie crust is too hard?? Yo can do it!!

Try my recipe here:All About Pie Dough!! Pie Dough 101

Need some inspiration for your holiday table...??

Click here: Our Thanksgiving, Table Ideas

Having a houseful and need something to keep the kids busy??

Try this scavenger hunt idea:Give Thanks Scavenger Hunt

It's not too late to add some pizazz to your chandelier...

You are like maybe 10 minutes away for a chandelier upgrade

that takes up no space!! Click Here for the details: Chandelier

Need a little hostessing organizational help??

Try this post...it's one of my favorites.

Click here: Easy and BEAUTIFUL Table Ideas!!

DOUBLE TOPPED APPLE PIE

Karri Perry, Blue Ribbon Kitchen

Baking temp: 375

Time: 60 minutes

Yields 1 9-inch pie

Pie Dough

2 1/2 cups flour

2 tbsp sugar

1 tsp salt

1/4 cup butter flavored Crisco

8 TBS (1 stick) unsalted butter

¼- ½ cup ice cold water and vodka mixed 50/50

Egg wash

1 egg – beaten

2 tsp water

Crumb Topping

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup unsalted butter -softened

1 ½ cups flour

1 tsp cinnamon

Pinch apple pie spice

Pinch of salt

1/2 tsp nutmeg

Filling

2-3 medium Golden Delicious apples- peeled and sliced to ½ inch pieces

2-3 medium Braeburn apples- peeled and sliced to ½ inch pieces

(Use only 5 cups total of sliced apples for pie)

3 TBS cornstarch OR ¼ cup King Arthur Clear Gel

1 tsp cinnamon

½ tsp apple pie spice

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp cardamom

1 cup granulated sugar

2 tbsp butter

Step 1: Make pie dough by cutting in the butter and shortening into flour sugar and salt. Add liquid. Once dough forms shape into 2 equal disks and let rest. Cover dough and let rest at least one hour in the refrigerator.

(A food processor is a good option for making pie dough- use a light hand and pulse to combine. Do not over-work the dough)

Step 2: Roll out 1 dough round to ¼ inch thick, fill pie plate. Set aside. (Keep dough chilled) If using cut-outs, cut out pie dough shapes and place on a dinner plate. Egg wash and chill shapes until finishing the pie with decorative top.

Step 3: Combine crumb topping, set aside.

Step 4: Combine dry ingredients for filling (spices and sugar)

Step 5: Peel and slice apples.

Step 6: Mix dry ingredients with apples, coating the apples evenly.

Step 7: Fill pie shell evenly with the apple mixture. Dot the apples with 2 tbsp of butter.

Step 8: Cover the top of the pie with an even layer of crumb topping.

Step 9: Place top crust or use leaf-shaped cut outs of dough as desired.

Step 10: Using the egg wash, brush pie top-if using solid top crust. Cover edge of pie with foil to prevent out crust from over browning.

Step 11: Bake in preheated 375-degree oven, on bottom oven rack for 60 minutes or until filling is bubbly and crust is golden brown. Allow to cool.

Helpful Blog Posts:

Pie Crust Tutorial

RESOURCES:

Pie Crust Shield:

Available at baking stores, Bed, Bath and Beyond,

Chicago Metallic Pie-Drip Catcher:

Available at Bed Bath and Beyond.

Pie Crust Cutters:

Available from: Williams-Sonoma, Sur la Table, Michael's Crafts Stores. Check ebay for retired or hard-to-find shapes. Williams-Sonoma Pie Crust Cutters Fall 2016