“How to Make My Grandma’s Homemade Apple Pie” by: Brett D

         With the start of the new year, why not start off the year with a smile on your face that you can enjoy with your friends, family members, anyone! Enjoy some of my Grandma’s homemade apple pie and you will fall in love, crispy crust, fresh apple slices, and thoughts that will make you want more and more. What better than being able to make your homemade apple pie that will enlighten the mood at any event, whether it be Christmas, New Years, etc. Let's be honest no desert will displease anyone. With simple and ease you could have your pie hot and ready in a matter of 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours. Trust me you will have everybody coming back for more.

Ingredients needed:    

            Crust:

• One 9-inch tart crust, homemade or store bought its your preference
• 1 tablespoon butter

            Apple Filling:

• 2 pounds of apples, they can be Golden, Granny Smith, etc.
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons salted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg

Topping:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 stick butter, preferably room temperature

Step 1: You first want to begin by preheating the oven to around 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The reason due is because you want to have the oven already preheating while you’re getting the pie ready. That way once you are done you can immediately place it right in the oven without waiting. How convenient, I even recommend listening to music to allow time to pass faster.

Step 2: Next you are going to work on the crust by molding it into your pan. For starters you want to get your pan and mold the tart crust into the pan, then cover the crust with tin foil. Next place uncooked beans into the pan evenly. The beans will help give your pie the perfect mold.  Once this is completed you are going to bake your crust for around 20 minutes, just to the point where your crust is perfectly browned. After the crust is browned remove it from the oven and allow it to cool. You can now also remove the beans and the tin foil and spread butter on the interior of the crust.

Step 3: Now you are going to be working on the filling of your soon to be fantastic pie! First begin with slicing and removing the cores of your apples. Once all of your apples are cut and ready you then want to place the slices in a ring pattern. I find it easier to go from the outer edge and then work your way towards the center just because it helps with making sure they are placed evenly.

Step 4: Get your bowl, sugar, melted butter, cinnamon and nutmeg and you are then going to mix all of the them together. After you are done mixing them pour it over your arranged apples that are in the crust. However, if you feel that this isn’t a lot you can double the ingredients to fit your needs.

Step 5: In a separate bowl, take your sugar, butter and flour and blend them together. This should result in a mixture that is short of clumpy.

Step 6: Bake the tart from 30 to 35 minutes, doing this will soften your apples. When your apples are soft you then want to remove them from the oven and then use your sweet butter topping and coat the top of your pie. You can also add a little more cinnamon onto the top of your pie and egg whites which will give your crust a softer crunchy texture instead of a super soft texture. After you applied your topping place it back into the oven until the topping has crusted which should take about 15 minutes. Following you just want to take it out of the oven and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes and then you will be good to serve your delicious apple pie.

            Finally, you can now share your new skills with your family and friends at any occasion. However, you don’t just have to do apples you can use any fruit of your choosing but, the best ones to do it with are cherries, peaches, and apples because who doesn’t like those. To even add a better experience, serve this dish with a scoop of vanilla ice cream to your guest and they will for sure love your pie.