Ahhhmazing Apple Pie….

….The apples are tart, the crust is flaky, flavorful, tender and the crumb topping, nutty, savory, buttery, sweet, sticky… Apple Pie Perfection!

So I saw a crazy apple pie recipe this weekend and immediately had to try it.  Well… my version of Ree’s pie.  Yes… I am quite comfortable calling her Ree … Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman… I’ve watched her so much I feel like I know her and her family personally.

The pie was ahhhhhmazing… I of course had to make it my own with a tweak here and there … my parents  had an apple tree after all…. I’d like to think I make a pretty darn good apple pie.  While I don’t miss picking up all of the apples that fell from our tree – more on that later…. I sure miss that tree.

This pie had the best pie crust I’ve ever made or eaten.  #blownaway  There is vinegar, egg and cinnamon in the crust.  Who knew…?  And no… you don’t taste the vinegar… I wondered the same.  It just does something magical to the crust.  Note – you really need a pastry cutter for the crust (you’ll thank me later).  The top of the pie is adorned with a very nice crumb topping, the pie is baked at 375  for an hour to perfection, then topped with pecans and back in the oven for five more minutes.  A little charred apples from the ones peaking through the crust… so yummy.  But what happens next is crazy….. the pie is then drizzled with caramel.  #icant #ifitaintbroke

You have to try this!  The apples are tart, the crust is flaky, flavorful, tender and the crumb topping, nutty, savory, buttery, sweet, sticky… Apple Pie Perfection!

Ree’s Perfect Spiced Pie Crust (makes two, split the dough in half and freeze one of them  for another day – chill the other for 30 minutes):

3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for flouring
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) salted butter, cut into pieces
3/4 cup vegetable shortening or lard
1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
1 egg, lightly beaten

My Apple Pie Filling

6 Granny Smith apples peeled and sliced (or 5lbs)
1/2 lemon, juiced (squeeze over the apple slices so they don’t turn brown and yucky)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and a splash of good vanilla

Ree’s Crumb Topping

1 1/2 sticks  unsalted butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup quick oats
1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1/2 jar (or more) caramel topping

I’ve eaten a lot of different apple pies, this one is by far the best.  And to think… I didn’t like cake or pie as a child. Do you like a good apple pie?  Who makes your favorite?