Apple Pie with a Twist

What's the most popular pie in America? You guessed it: apple. Despite its ancient history (written recipes for apple pie go back to at least the 1500s), apple pie definitely isn't old hat. It's a must-have at Thanksgiving, and a favorite restaurant dessert. If there were a comfort food hall of fame, apple pie would be a charter member. So what's the twist? Baking the pie for 2 hours, which gives it a rich gold, nearly caramelized filling, and spectacular crust, both top and bottom. Trust us: it works! Read our blog about this pie at Bakers' Banter.

Ingredients

Crust
2 1/2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
10 tablespoons (1 stick + 2 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter
7 to 9 tablespoons ice water, enough to make a cohesive dough

Filling
8 cups lightly packed cored, peeled, and sliced Ginger Gold or Granny Smith apples (or your favorite pie apples); about 7 large apples
1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup boiled cider
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons butter, melted
6 tablespoons Pie Filling Enhancer OR 1/4 cup King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour

Directions
1) To make the crust: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.

2) Add the shortening, mixing till well combined.

3) Cut the butter into small cubes or pats, and work it into the dry ingredients (using your fingers, a pastry blender or fork, or a mixer) until the dough is unevenly crumbly.

4) Sprinkle in the ice water, continuing to mix until the dough is cohesive. Grab a handful; if it holds together willingly, and doesn't seem at all dry or crumbly, you've added enough liquid.

5) Divide the dough roughly in half, with one half slightly larger than the other. If you have a scale, the pieces will weigh about 11 ounces and 9 ounces.

6) Shape each piece of dough into a disk. Roll the edges along a floured work surface (as though the disk were a wheel), in order to smooth them out.

7) Pat each disk till it's about 1" thick, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes. You may also chill the dough overnight, or for up to 3 days.

8) Remove the dough from the refrigerator. If it's been chilled longer than 30 minutes, allow it to warm a bit and become flexible, about 15 to 30 minutes. While the dough is warming, prepare the filling, and preheat the oven to 350°F.

9) To make the filling: Place the sliced apples in a medium mixing bowl, and stir in the sugar, boiled cider, spices, salt, vanilla, and lemon juice. As you stir, the mixture will become syrupy.

10) Add the butter and Pie Filling Enhancer or flour, and stir until everything is well blended. Set it aside.

11) Flour your work surface, and roll one piece of the dough into a 14" circle. Transfer the dough to a 9" regular (not deep-dish) pie pan that's at least 1 1/4" deep.

12) Spoon the filling into the crust.

13) Roll the top crust about into an 11" circle, and place it over the filling.

14) Fold the edge of the bottom crust up over the edge of the top crust, squeeze them together, and crimp nicely. Cut a decorative slit (or a quarter-sized hole) in the center of the crust, for steam to escape.

15) Place the pie pan on a cookie sheet (to catch any spills), and bake the pie for 45 minutes.

16) Gently place a sheet of aluminum foil atop the pie, covering its entire surface, and continue to bake for an additional 1 hour, 15 minutes, for a total of 2 hours, till the top crust is golden brown and the filing is bubbly.

17) Remove the pie from the oven, and allow it to cool overnight, for best texture. If you cut into it too soon, the filling will be watery, and will ooze out.

18) To serve warm, heat individual slices briefly in the microwave. Serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired.

from King Arthur e-mail

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