vermont apple pie

This is the recipe printed on the bags of our favorite apple orchard.


(1 recipe pastry for double crust pie)


Filling
8 good-sized apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch pieces
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup
cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice to taste (I use heaping 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and dash of nutmeg)


Simmer everything in a large skillet until the apples have softened. Let cool.


Roll out crusts, put bottom crust into pie plate. Add apple filling and top with second crust. Pinch and trim edges, cut holes in the top for air to escape. Place in 350-degree oven for 35-40 minutes. (Mine usually go longer.) Optional: use the special crust treatment at 15-20 minutes. When the pie is done the crust will be slightly golden brown and the filling will bubble and ooze a little.


Special Crust Treatment
3 tablespoons butter
1 egg white
sugar


Soften the butter and mix it with the egg white. Brush it all over the hot crust after 15-20 minutes of baking. Sprinkle sugar over this and put it back in the oven.

cranberry applesauce

A variation on my applesauce recipe. Perfect for Thanksgiving!

4 pounds apples (about 10 medium)

2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries

1 cup water
1/2 cup white sugar

1/4 brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt

Remove apple cores and chop into 1 1/2 inch chunks. Combine everything in a large pot; cover and cook over medium-high until apples begin to break down, 15-20 minutes. Press through a food mill and check seasonings. Serve hot as a side, or cold as a dessert.

sweet potato apple bake

4 sweet potatoes, peeled and quartered
3 large cooking apples, such as Granny Smith, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
1 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons flour
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup (one stick) butter

1. Place sweet potatoes in a saucepan, cover with water, and boil for 15 minutes. Drain, cool, and cut into 1 inch cubes.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

3. Put sweet potato cubes in ungreased 9x13-inch baking dish. Place apples on top and then cranberries. Mix the sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg and sprinkle on top. Dot with butter. Bake 50-60 minutes.

applesauce

4 pounds apples (about 10 medium)

1 cup water

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

pinch nutmeg

pinch salt

Remove apple cores and chop into 1 1/2 inch chunks. Combine everything in a large pot; cover and cook over medium-high until apples begin to break down, 15-20 minutes. Press through a food mill and check seasonings and consistency.

 

No food mill? Just peel the apples beforehand and mash them in the pot after cooking. 

 

Delicious hot, warm, or cold on its own--but my favorite way to eat it is hot over vanilla ice cream. So good.