Autumn Awakenings

Well, it's now without a doubt, autumn. Cool weather and hot lattes. Leaves are falling and scarves are back in swing. Starbucks now even has the red cups. Major clue. Like most, fall is my favorite time of year for a myriad of reasons. Most obvious would be the uncontrollable urge to stay cozied up at home and start baking fall favorites. I initiated this upcoming fall of 2010 a few days ago with the baking of my first lattice crust apple pie. My word. It was all kinds of right. Tart, green apples, buttery caramel sauce, and a generous helping of cinnamon is key. Presentation doesn't hurt either. Take a look.



I adapted the recipe from a very popular apple pie recipe online, Grandma Ople's Apple Pie. I added some vanilla and cinnamon to up the spice and aroma. Let me tell you...when it comes to many classics like apple pie, I do a ton of research because I'm worried that I'll end up wasting my ingredients (and time!) if I end up trying a recipe that is a total flop. This one, my friends is a winner. Save yourself some time and give this one a shot. I mean, just LOOK at the pie. It screams deliciously of warm, apple-y, goodness.

Apple Pie to try before you Die (adapted from Grandma Ople)

1 recipe for a 9-inch double pie crust
7 Granny Smith Apples, Peeled, cored and cut into thin slices
1 TB cinnamon
1/2 cup of butter
3 TB flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup water
1/2 tsp vanilla extract ( I used vanilla paste)

1. Melt butter in a sauce pan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add white sugar, brown sugar and water and vanilla; bring to a boil. Reduce temperature, and simmer 5 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, place the bottom crust in your pan. Fill with apples, mounded slightly. Cover with a lattice work of crust.* Gently pour the sugar and butter liquid over the crust. Pour slowly so that it does not run off.

3. Bake 15 minutes at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes.

I let the pie cool a bit to set. It makes it easier for cutting. Then you pile on some cold vanilla bean ice cream and enjoy...twice :)


* Simply Recipes has a great tutorial on making a lattice crust here.


Happy Fall!