Here is a technique that I would really like to master…..homemade pie! All through the summer and fall, my family is making fresh pies with whatever fresh fruit is ripe. The pies are amazing. The pie doughs are homemade. This is only the second pie that I have ever attempted, and I do need some work. Below you will find my recipes for Homemade Cran Apple Pie. There is one great cookbook for those home cooks looking to work on their pie baking techniques, Art of the Pie by Kate McDermott. I use her pie dough for every pie.
Apple Pie Filling
The filling is my own recipe. I did follow a recipe for the pie dough. The flavor of this pie was amazing, I kind of surprised myself. This pie is not super sweet because I made it with Granny Smith apples, chopped craisins, brown sugar, splash of hard cider, and a dash of cinnamon. I used Stella Artois Cidre. I prefer tartness over sweetness, and Granny Smith apples are my favorite. So if you are into the sweeter flavor, this may not be the pie for you.
One of the tools that I did purchase for the purpose of making apples was an Apple Peeler – Corer and Slicer. I particular like this type of peeler because of the vacuum base which is handy if you do not have a good spot to clamp down a kitchen tool.
Norpro Apple Master: Apple Peeler – Corer and Slicer – with Vacuum Base & Clamp – $29.90
from: Kerekes kitchen & Restaurant Supplies
Pie Dough
The construction of the pie did not meet my expectations. Mainly this was due to my inexperience. I attempted all of the fancy edges that I have seen in various cookbooks without avail. The pie dough was slightly more brown than I had intended. I believe that trial and error is the best way for me to get down a good pie dough. There are a lot of great articles with tips and tricks on how to make the perfect pie dough.
I made this Cran-Apple Pie for Thanksgiving this year. It is great holiday dessert. Overall consensus was success. Those who didn’t care for it as much like sweeter tasting pies. Enjoy!
This article contains sponsored links. Opinions are my own.
Cran Apple Pie
Ingredients
- 2 dough pie crust of 9 inch pie pan
- 6 medium Granny Smith apples peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries or Craisins chopped
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 tbsp corn starch
- 1 splash hard cider
- 1 or 2 dashes cinnamon
- 4 tsp + 1T butter
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients except pie dough in mixing bowl.
- Roll out half of pie dough and line the bottom, sides, and lip of pie dish.
- Add filling. Dab about 4 teaspoons of butter on top of filling.
- Roll out second half of pie dough. Lay across the top of the pie. Crimp or fork the sides, pinching it closed.
- Cut several slits in top of pie dough.
- Lightly brush top with 1 T of melted butter.
- Preheat over to 425 degrees and bake pie for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 375 degrees and bake pie for 30 minutes. Take pie out of the oven and lightly dust the top of the pie with sugar. Bake an additional 10 minutes.
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