Apple Crumb Pie

In 2005 I joined my mom in opening Grand Traverse Pie Company, a local franchise that sold about 100 pies per day. Of the 50 plus varieties of pies that we made my very favorite was good old apple pie. Who does not love apple pie? This recipe brings the classic apple pie to the next level with a buttery crumb topping. You can make it even more decadent with caramel sauce and salty toasted pecans.  I can smell the cinnamon and apples now!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare pie crust, if making from scratch. 

Apple Pie Filling:

• 7 medium sliced apples, Granny Smith are the best for pie making
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 9-inch deep dish pie shell (store bought or your favorite recipe)

Crumb Topping:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cold butter, diced

Caramel Sauce & Pecans (optional):

• 1 cup Caramels
• 2 tsp heavy cream
• Melt Caramels in double boiler and add cream. Use immediately.
• 1/2 cup Toasted Pecans

Make the filling

1. In a large bowl, toss the apples with lemon juice. Add the flour, sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir to evenly coat the apples. Spoon the mixture over the prepared crust.

Make the crumb topping

1. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour and sugars. Cut the butter in using a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture becomes crumbly. I use my hands at the end to get larger and smaller sized crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over apple filling.
2. Bake for 45-60 minutes, until the crust is golden brown, and apples are tender. Tent loosely with foil if the crust begins to get too brown. If you want you can add caramel and pecans after the pie cools completely. This pie is AMAZING served warm with vanilla ice cream. Here is where we buy our favorite local ice cream https://www.foxmeadowscreamery.com/

Brenda, our multi-talented manager, is an extraordinary baker. In the fall and winter she often serves guests her scrumptious baked apple starter. It is topped with crisp granola, decadent honey vanilla Greek yogurt and warm apple butter syrup. Click on this link to read all about the 3 course breakfast we serve https://twinpinemanor.com/breakfast-3-course-twin-pine-manor/.

When you are planning your next vacation, remember to add Lancaster County to your list of places to check out. Our local Amish baked goods are well known. My favorite spot for the famous Lancaster County Whoopie Pies is Reiff’s Farm Market, your one stop shop for everything Lancaster County! https://www.facebook.com/ReiffsFarmMarket/. If you are looking for Cinnamon Buns and Shoe Fly Pie, the Bird in Hand Bakery is your place. You can get a great cup of coffee and check out local crafts there as well. https://bird-in-hand.com/bakery/. A fun all day experience is Kitchen Kettle Village. My family jokingly calls it the “Sample City”; there is a shop for any kind of homemade culinary delight you can imagine. Our favorites are the pineapple salsa, the pepper jelly, and the farmers cheese. Their pickled beets are the best I have ever had!https://www.kitchenkettle.com/index.asp

A warm slice of pie always makes me feel warm and fuzzy. Right now we could all use a few more of those warm and fuzzy moments, so get your apron on, slice some apples and bake a pie!