Apple Crostata

I have been wanting to make a crostata for some time now and also to perfect my pie dough.

I have always made pretty good pie dough and have used several different recipes such as my No Fail Pie Crust or one my friend Kathy gave me that used vinegar and an egg that always was a hit too.  But still and all not EVERY pie crust tastes the same when I make them and it can be very frustrating; so yesterday I did a little experiment with some pie dough.

I used my mini Cuisinart (that I bought at Costco) and made three separate batches of pie dough. One with all butter and some sugar that I saw Ina make, one with all butter flavored Crisco and half the amount of sugar, and the last one with butter flavored Crisco and no sugar added.

Lemon Meringue Pie

While on my pie making kick this past week I made my first ever Lemon Meringue Pie.

I have always wanted to try making meringue and was surprised at how easy it really is to make.

I also found out just how easy it is to make pudding/custard from scratch too.

I know most people probably use boxed pudding mix for pies but in the past week I have made several types of pudding/custard for pies and it really is super simple to make from scratch.

I also think it makes a much richer creamier tasting pie than those from boxed puddings.

Here is the cookbook I purchased from Amazon along with my Southern Pie Cookbook ~ Classic Southern Desserts which is where this delectable pie comes from.

Shoofly Pie

Shoofly Pie ~ The name alone makes me smile :)

This is a pie that I had heard the name over the years growing up but had no clue what went into one. It just always sounded so cute and fun.

For the last month or so I've been in the mood for some good old fashioned southern style desserts, not that I've had a ton, but they always look so delicious and beautiful.

I decided to browse the internet for cookbooks and while on Amazon I bought this cookbook and started reading it to find out what I wanted to make first.

When I read the ingredients for Shoofly pie I KNEW I had to try it.  It has all the warm spices that are synonymous with Molasses Cookies which just happen to be my favorite cookies.

Coconut Cream Pie

I've been back on a pie baking kick lately and it might be because we've had such warm weather here in California lately or it could just be the fact that I LOVE PIE.

Let me say that again....I love pie!  More so than most other desserts and I love cream pies and berry pie the best.

Coconut Cream Pie is my hubby and my favorite so I decided to give it a whirl.  I had never before made homemade pudding/custard but it was SOOOOO easy that I can't believe anyone would make it from a box!

This is the amazing Southern Pie Cookbook I found on Amazon and have tried several of the recipes already.  You'll be seeing them over the next couple of weeks ;)

Classic Cherry Pie (Super Simple)

Are you in need of a super simple dessert for this weekend?

Try this Classic Cherry Pie and you'll put a smile on everyone's face.

This recipe will save you time by using canned pie filling and even a store bought crust if you want.

Cherry Pie is one of my hubby's and my favorite pies.  I usually make all my pies from scratch but there is just something about cherry pie filling that always turns out perfect in pie every time.  To be honest, I wouldn't even know how to make cherry pie filling if not for the canned stuff, lol.

Give this pie a try and let me know what you think.

Blackberry~Raspberry Pie

For Thanksgiving this year we had a big family celebration to not only celebrate Thanksgiving but so that all my family could say their goodbyes to my daughter before she leaves for boot camp.

This year we had over 30 people and had a wonderful time visiting with each other.

We usually only have about 17 or so so this was quiet the accomplishment and boy was the food fabulous.

I come from a family of great cooks and bakers and everyone pitched in and brought a fantastic dish. I cooked the turkey's and ham, mashed potatoes, carrots, & gravy.

Classic Pumpkin Pie

Out of all the holiday pies out there I think I love a Classic Pumpkin Pie the most.  It is my hubby's favorite and my daughter has a fondness for pumpkin pie too.

This is a very easy pie to make and I've been using the recipe right off the Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin for years.

I know some people like to add nuts, or sweetened condensed milk or other items but I use the Famous recipe as is and it turns out every time!

Sweet Potato Pie with Pecan Praline Topping

With the holiday's around the corner I thought it was time to make some pie!

I love classic pumpkin pie and so does my family but I've been wanting to make a sweet potato pie for years.  I think it's a southern pie but who says us westerners can't make great southern food too?!

I already had a great recipe in my Sweet Potato Casserole and thought it would taste great in a crust so I tweaked the recipe for a pie and came up with my newest favorite pie in my repertoire.

Classic Apple Pie Re-Do

I have a confession to make.....

I have totally changed my way of thinking on Apple Pie and what kind of apples you need to use to make a great one!  Yikes!  I know.

For years you've probably read about my preaching on how Granny Smith are the be all end all apples for apple pie, but the truth is there are all kinds of great apples for baking and I just never knew this until recently.

I always used my mom's recipe for apple pie until about a year ago.

Mini Cherry Pies and a Giveaway

Do you ever feel like you want some pie but don't want to make a whole one because not everyone likes the flavor you do?

Well I have a solution for you.

Mini Pie's in canning jars are the perfect single serving size.  No sharing needed!

I was contacted by Solo Foods and asked to do a review of some of their pie and cake fillings.  I said sure, because who doesn't love pie, right?

I also decided to turn this into a fun giveaway with some of their Cake & Pastry Filling as well as a very cute Loretta Apron.

Banana Cream Pie

We love all things banana around here, especially Banana Cream Pie!

Pie is such an easy dessert to make but always seems to take a back seat to cake or cupcakes.

I actually like pie more than cake or cupcakes so don't ask me why I don't make it more often, lol.

This is a super simple recipe that ANYONE can make and everyone will be impressed :)

Coconut Lime Pie

This is probably going to be my favorite pie for the rest of my life!

I love citrus, if you didn't already know, and lime is my favorite!

Which is kind of funny because I always thought lemon was until the last year or so when I decided I'm a lime girl all the way!

And do you know what flavor goes amazingly well with lime????  Coconut!!!

I already had a recipe for Creamy Lime Bars but I wanted a pie recipe I could make too because we all love pie, right?  Nod your head and agree :)

No Fail Pie Crust

Pie Crust........

Yes, the dreaded Pie Crust!

Not everyone is a good crust maker.  (I won't embarrass you, you know who you are, lol)

Some people are amazing crust makers.  (Mom and Auntie Sharon)

But most of us fall into the in-between of so-so crust makers.

I have a recipe that I've been using for a while now and so far (knock, knock) it has turned out every time.

I think what was a mystery to me for the longest time was why the heck; if I made the same recipe every time, sometimes they turned out and sometimes they didn't.

Chocolate Cream Pie

I have been making Chocolate Cream Pie for years!

It has got to be one of the simplest pies around, but I don't know a lot of people who make them.

Chocolate Pie is a family favorite around here!  The hubby loves it, the kids love it, even the kids friends love it.  I'm the only one who's not a huge fan because, as you know (if you've been following me for awhile), I'm not much of a chocolate person.

Crescent Skillet Apple Pie

A few weeks ago I had a hankering for apple pie but didn't want to make a traditional one, so I opened up my fridge and took a peek at what was inside.  This is the super easy totally yummy dessert I came up with.  It has all the flavor of a traditional pie but none of the hassle.  Give it a try and let me know what you think :)

Apple Pie

There is absolutely nothing like a homemade Apple Pie!  I watch all these commercials on TV this time year for apple pie and think to myself Ewwww I really feel sorry for the people who don't know how to make a truly great homemade apple pie or know someone who does.  My mom and Auntie Sharon have thankfully passed this awesome talent to some of us little people in the family and we are going to keep passing it on down the line.  So if you don't already know how to make one or just need a great recipe for one here ya go.

Here's what you need:

1 - double crust pie crust recipe - see below
6 - 8 large Granny Smith apples (or a combination of Fuji and Gala) depending on how "Mile High" you want it.
1 to 1-1/2 cups sugar, the amount is determined by the tartness of the apples and how tart you like your pie
1 to 1-1/2 tsp. cinnamon, same with the cinnamon, 1 tsp. is fine but 1-1/2 is cinnamon yumminess
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 cup flour
2 Tbl. butter

Pie Crust - Double crust pie

2 cup flour, unbleached all purpose
1/2 cup butter, cubed and cold
1/2 cup butter flavored Crisco, cubed and cold
1/2 cup ice cold water
1-1/2 tsp. Kosher salt
1 Tbl. sugar

To make the pie crust look here for the instructions - pie crust instructions  Make in advance and chill for at least 30 - 60 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
To assemble the pie, wash and peel the apples then cut the sides off leaving the core.  Next, using a mandolin or very sharp knife and being very careful slice the apples to about 1/8" thickness into a large bowl.

      

As I've said before, Pampered Chef has a new handheld mandolin that works great and I'm finding all kinds of things to slice with it.  Remember to always use a guard when using a mandolin.

      

On top of the apples pour in the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg and stir until all are well coated.  Set aside.

     

Take the pie crust dough out of the fridge and roll out the bottom crust.  Place into a 9" pie dish.

      

Pour apple mixture into the pie dish and dot with the butter.  Roll out the top crust and cover the apple mixture with crust.

     

Once the pie is covered with the top crust, trim the extra dough on the sides to 1/2" overhang.

     

Next, turn the dough under around the edge pinching together as you go.

     

Make the fluted edge by lightly pushing against the crust with the thumb and first finger of one hand and pressing in between those two with a finger from the other hand.  Do this around the whole pie.

     

Prick the top of the pie with a fork to make air holes and release the steam when cooking.

Bake for 1 hour then test the pie with a fork inserted into the middle.  If the apples are still a little hard bake for another 15 minutes, if they are soft the pie is done.  You might need to add some tin foil on the edges after 30 - 45 minutes if the pie is browning too fast.

     

With tin foil................................................Tada! Baked Apple Pie.  Yum, Yum, Yum!

      

 Great plain, with whip cream or ice cream.  I like it for breakfast too.  Hey now, it has something from several food groups...fruit, bread, dairy, why it's almost like having toast, apple sauce and milk!  HA

*Like with all recipes, you sometimes have to make them several times to fine tune the spices.  But please get in the kitchen and at least try to make homemade Apple Pie!*

Enjoy!

~Hugs~

Michelle

Here's the handy printable - Apple Pie