September 11, 2011

I Have A Confession To Make...

It's that time of year again. 
Time to peel some of the beautiful apples that are in season right now. 
Time to make a delicious apple pie to get in the mood for Autumn. 

I have a favorite apple pie recipe that I have developed that's quite
the hit with my family, but I have a huge confession to make.
I use Pillsbury (rolled up) pastry.
I've managed to add a few ingredients to my pie that help camouflage
the fact that it's a purchased crust, but even so, it's a purchased crust.

How can I camouflage a store-bought crust, you ask?
Well, I put crushed corn flakes in the bottom crust before I add my filling
and I brush the top crust with the leftover juice from the apple filling
prior to placing it in the oven. Just before the pie is done, I brush beaten
egg whites on top and then drizzle a mixture of brown sugar, thickener and
lemon juice on top for a caramelesque flavor on top of that now-flakey crust.

I know it's cheating, but Mum is the pastry whiz in our family and it's a 
talent I've never developed. I have friends who have shared their "easy"
recipes with me, but I just don't seem to get the hang of it.

Perhaps this year I'll try again.
I'd love to create that elusive, melt-in-your mouth, flaky crust from scratch.
Anyone have a great, fool-proof recipe you'd like to share?

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12 comments:

  1. Lots of people make flakey crusts...however your pie sounds super creative and delicious. Why change? My grandma was the pie perfectionist, my mother was really good with the crust and making the wavy edge and my daughter is fabulous at pies including the crusts. Me? I prefer cobbler or cake or cookies or...well you get the idea. Happy baking my dear...

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  2. Hey Donna - Will you ring me up when the pie is just about to come out of the oven?? I'll rush right on over!! Sounds so yummy you are making my mouth water at 11 o'clock at night!! Enjoy, and I won't give away your secret because I use Marie Callander frozen pie crusts!! Yiks!! Kris

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  3. Hi Donna, We all cheat a little when we make something special. I don't make crust so I am like others and use frozen if I bake. I would love to come for a piece of warm apple pie and a cup of hot tea. That sounds so yummy. Your Missouri Friend.

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  4. No pastry recipe would be fool proof for me. ~lol~ I come from a looooong line of Polish bakers and cooks. I got the cooking down and consider myself to be a super good cook. My family will heartily agree. However, when it comes to pie crust from scratch...nope...I don't go there. Its Pillsbury and Wickes for me!!
    xx, Carol

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  5. Donna...here is my mom's pie crust recipe and it comes out flaky for me..2c.flour, 3/4tsp.salt, 1/2c.oil+1Tbs.,3Tbs.cold water mix divide in half roll out between wax paper let me know how it comes out for you...
    Hugz
    Sandy

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  6. Let Mom keep the title of "Pastry Whiz". Your idea sounds great. Corn flakes...I would have never thought of that.
    When I read the title of the post, I was wondering what you were going to say.
    Your Mom may have made a great pie crust but could she quilt like you?
    Deb

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  7. Dee, that is the same recipe I use many times...it's called, "why mess with a good thing!"....... you are too hard on yourself, even though I use the same crust it still is soggy on the bottom...so the crumbs sound like a great idea, I will try it! I made jars of apple pie filling with my apples and then canned them. I can send you the recipe if you want, they always turn out so nice and it's great to have pie filling for later. I think everyone's doing apples right now.....it was slow going for me for awhile but hopefully I am back up to speed!!! I sure have missed my blog girls!!!
    Hugs,
    Mags
    xxx

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  8. donna I just saw this link and thought of you

    http://inspiration-avenue-team.blogspot.com

    they have small glass Acorn necklace hugs wendy

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  9. Dear Donna,
    Check out the Pioneer Woman's blog. She recently did several posts about pies and has a crust that is supposed to be fantastic. I like to bake but never got the hang of pie crusts either and I am going to try hers. Good Luck! Toni

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  10. Oh this sounds so good! Why even try to do from scratch when this sounds better!!

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  11. I always use store-bought crust. I am a bad, bad girl. LOL I love the way you put your own creative stamp on it, though. I think I'll try it, too, sometime.

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment today. I'm using new settings on my comments so that I'll be able to respond to your messages to me. Be sure to come back to see my replies!

Blessings, Donna