Pioneer Woman Apple Pie Food

FLAT APPLE PIE WITH PERFECT PIE CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• In large bowl, stir together the apples, brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, salt and lemon juice. Set aside and see how long you can keep from sneaking a slice of apple.
• With a rolling pin, begin rolling out the Perfect Pie Crusts into large circles. Roll the dough from the center outward. Be gentle and patient, it'll take a little time to get the dough completely rolled out.
• If you think the bottom is really sticking to the surface below, use a nice, sharp spatula to loosen the dough and sprinkle some extra flour on top. Then flip it over to finish rolling. Remember to roll from the center in single, outward strokes, no back-and-forth rolling.
• Again with a spatula, loosen and lift the dough and carefully place the circles on large baking sheets.
• Place half the apple mixture on one crust and the other half on the other crust. Fold over the edges of each crust so that it covers 2 to 3 inches of the apple mixture. No need to be artistic - the more rustic the better. Dot the tops of the pies with chunks of the butter.
• Bake until the filling is golden and bubbly, 30 to 40 minutes. If the crust appears to brown too quickly, cover the edges with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time.
• Allow to cool slightly, then slice into wedges with a pizza cutter. Eat 'em on the go!
• Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl. Add in the butter and shortening. Using a pastry cutter, gradually work the butter and shortening into the flour until the mixture resembles tiny pebbles. This step should take 3 or 4 minutes.
• Lightly beat the egg with a fork, and then add it to the mixture. Next, add in the cold water and vinegar. Stir the mixture together until it's just combined, and then remove half the dough from the bowl.

HOMEMADE APPLE PIE

Steps:

• For the pie crust: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. With a pastry cutter, gradually cut the cold butter into the flour until pea-sized pieces form. In a small bowl, combine the cold water and apple cider vinegar. Add the vinegar mixture to the flour/butter mixture 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing gently in between each addition. Stir together until all of the ingredients are incorporated and the mixture holds together when pinched with your fingers. Turn the mixture out onto a clean countertop and knead 4 to 5 times until combined. Divide the dough into two evenly sized balls and flatten each to a disk shape, about 1/2-inch thick (with minimal cracks). Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours (or up to 2 days).
• Preheat the oven to 425˚ and place a baking sheet on the bottom rack.
• Roll out the remaining disk of dough on a floured surface into a 13-inch round. Carefully lay the dough over the filling, fold the overhanging dough under the overhang from the bottom crust, and crimp the edges of the crust using a fork. Cut a few 1-inch slits in the top crust (to release the steam). Brush the top of the pie with heavy cream.
• Place the pie on the preheated baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350˚ and bake, rotating halfway through, until the filling is bubbly and the crust is golden brown, 50 to 60 more minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool about 2 hours before slicing.

CARAMEL APPLE PIE

Steps:

• For the perfect spiced pie crust: Mix the flour, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg in a bowl. Add the butter and vegetable shortening. Work the butter into the flour using a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles tiny pebbles. Add the white vinegar, egg and 5 tablespoons cold water and stir until just combined.
• Form 2 equal-sized balls. Place each in a large plastic bag (do not seal) and slightly flatten with a rolling pin; this makes it much easier to roll out the crust later. After flattening, seal the bag tightly. Place in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes to chill.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Remove 1 bag of dough from the freezer (save the other dough for another use), remove the dough from the bag and place it on a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough starting at the center and working outward. Be gentle and patient; it'll take a little time to get the dough completely rolled out. If you think the bottom is really sticking to the surface below while rolling, use a metal spatula to loosen it. When fully rolled out, loosen again with a spatula and lift the pie crust into a 9-inch pie pan (or you can roll the pastry over the rolling pin, lift it onto the pie pan and unroll it). Gently press the dough against the corner of the pan and tear off any excess dough. Then tuck under the edges and go around the pie pan pinching the dough to crimp the edge.
• For the pie filling: In a bowl, mix the apples, lemon juice, granulated sugar, flour and salt. Set aside.
• For the crumb topping: Cut the butter into the flour with a pastry cutter, then add in the brown sugar, oats and salt.
• Add the apples to the prepared pie shell and top with the crumb topping. Bake for 1 hour, covering the edge of the crust with foil if it starts to brown too quickly. After an hour, sprinkle the chopped pecans over the pie, then bake for a further 5 minutes.
• Remove the pie from the oven and pour 1/2 jar (or more, if you're feeling dangerous and naughty) of caramel topping over the top. Allow to cool slightly before serving - or don't if you can't wait!

CLASSIC APPLE PIE

Steps:

• Peel and core the apples; slice 1/4 inch thick. Transfer to a bowl and toss with the granulated sugar and lemon juice. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the apples and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 12 to 15 minutes. Add the flour, cinnamon and salt and stir until the juices thicken, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool completely. (The filling can be made up to 2 days ahead; cover and refrigerate.)
• Roll out 1 disk of dough into a 12-inch round on a lightly floured surface. Ease into a 9-inch pie plate. Add the cooled filling and dot with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter.
• Roll out the remaining disk of dough into a 12-inch round. Lay the dough over the filling and press the two crusts together around the edges. Fold the overhanging dough under itself and crimp with your fingers. Brush the top crust with the beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Cut a few slits in the top crust to let steam escape. Chill 1 hour.
• Put a baking sheet on the bottom oven rack and preheat to 425 degrees F for at least 30 minutes. Put the pie directly on the hot baking sheet and reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F; bake until the pie is golden and the filling is bubbly, 1 hour to 1 hour, 10 minutes, rotating the pie as needed. (Cover the edges with foil if they are browning too quickly.) Transfer to a rack and let cool until the filling is set, about 3 hours.
• Pulse the flour, shortening, sugar, vinegar and salt in a food processor until it looks like fine meal. Add the butter and pulse until it is in pea-size pieces. Sprinkle in 1/4 cup ice water and pulse until the dough begins to come together. Pinch the dough with your fingers; if it doesn't hold together, add up to 4 more tablespoons ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and pulse again.
• Divide the dough between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and pat each into a disk. Wrap tightly and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or preferably overnight, or freeze up to 2 months.

FRIED APPLE PIES

Steps:

• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, butter and 1 tablespoon water. Cook, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is bubbling. Add the apples, vanilla, salt, cinnamon and lemon juice. Mix together the cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Add the cornstarch mixture to the skillet and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender, about 5 minutes. Pour into a heatproof bowl and let cool completely. You can make this ahead of time and chill in the fridge a day or so in advance if needed.
• To make the pies, roll each biscuit into about a 5-inch circle that is about 1/8 inch thick. Spoon 2 generous tablespoons of the apple filling on each round of dough, just off center. Use your finger and run a little water around the edges to help them seal completely. Fold one half of each circle over onto the other half and seal in the apple filling, forcing out any air that you can. Press the edges together and crimp with a fork. Continue until they're all assembled.
• Heat the oil in a high-sided skillet over medium heat until it reaches 350 degrees F. Fry the pies 2 or 3 at a time for about 5 minutes, carefully turning them halfway through. Remove them to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain.
• When all the pies are fried, sift the confectioners' sugar over top. Serve with Cinnamon-Caramel Sauce or store-bought caramel sauce.
• Mix the brown sugar, half-and-half, butter and a pinch of salt in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, whisking gently, until it thickens, 2 to 3 minutes. Whisk in the vanilla, cinnamon and a second pinch of salt and cook another minute to thicken further. Turn off the heat and allow to cool to room temperature before serving. Chill if not using immediately.

PIONEER WOMAN FRIED APPLE PIES

Steps:

• Prepare 2 large apples by peeling, coring, and dicing them into small cubes. For the perfect sweet/sour combo, you want to use 1 Granny Smith and 1 Red Delicious.
• Next, combine the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla in a saucepan and cook on medium heat until juices begin to form about 3 minutes.
• In a small bowl, combine the apple cider (or apple juice) and cornstarch.
• Pour the mixture into the saucepan and turn the heat up to high and cook for another 3 minutes or until the mixture has thickened up, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour. Cut the cold butter into cubes, then use a pastry cutter to work the flour until all the butter is tiny lumps. Combine the egg yolks and salt in a separate bowl.
• Microwave the milk in 30-second intervals until it is steaming hot. Pour in the hot milk little by little into the egg mixture and stir constantly.
• Last but not least, add the milk and egg mixture to the flour mixture and stir until you have a dough. Then, place the dough onto parchment paper and knead it for about 1 minute or until it appears smooth.
• Then divide the pie dough into six equal pieces and roll each one into a ball. Roll each ball into a circle using a rolling pin or a glass. (Don't worry if your circle isn't perfectly round, we'll cut it off once it is folded.)
• Place 2 tablespoons of apple pie filling in each circle and fold the dough in half.
• Next, pinch the edges together to seal them, and if desired, cut away any excess with a pastry wheel or pizza cutter. Using a fork, crimp down the edges of the pie so that the filling remains intact when fried. (You can always make another pie with the excess filling).
• Then, heat up oil in a deep saucepan or deep fryer to 350 degrees.
• If you don't have a thermometer, you can always use the wooden spoon trick by sticking it in the middle of the pot. When you see bubbles forming around the handle, it's ready.
• Once the oil is hot enough, add your pies one at a time and fry them until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Drain the fried apple pies on a paper towel.
• As your pies are frying, make the glaze by whisking together powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk.
• It's best to glaze the pies right away after they've been fried and while they're still warm. You can use a pastry brush to make a beautiful glaze on both sides, or you can drizzle the icing over the top or dip the cake into the glaze.
• Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes, then enjoy!

PIONEER WOMAN APPLE DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Peel and core apples.
• Cut apples into 8 slices each.
• Roll each apple slice in a crescent roll.
• Place in a 9 x 13 buttered pan.
• Melt butter, then add sugar and barely stir.
• Add vanilla, stir, and pour over apples.
• Pour Mountain Dew around the edges of the pan.
• Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.
• Serve with ice cream, and spoon some of the sweet sauces from the pan over the top.
• Then go to confession. Quickly.