Sunday, September 4, 2011

Caramel Apple Pecan Pie! Test # 1













So my favorite time of the year is coming up quickly, Autumn! It's in 19 days. I wanted to make a test pie before the Holidays since I've never made one before. Of course the one I chose to make might just be the most difficult time consuming (delicious) pie ever. Oh well! I am quite proud of this pie since it was indeed my first time ever making one! It took a good chunk out of my day but was totally worth it! =) This post has three parts...you will see that I made pie crust, pie filling and homemade whipped cream! 

To make a flaky pie crust you will need:
  • Crisco (vegetable shortening) 
  • 3 cups Flour
  • White Vinegar
  • 1 Egg
FYI: This recipe makes enough dough for three pie crusts.










The first step to making a tasty flaky pie crust is to add 3 cups flour and 1 & 1/2 cups crisco into a mixing bowl. This is when you want to grab your pastry cutter. Unfortunately I don't have a pastry cutter so I used two forks, which seemed to work just fine.












Work the crisco into the flour as you can see below. This will take a few minutes.












Next, crack an egg into a bowl and beat it with a fork...or whisk. 












Pour 1 egg, 5 tablespoons cold water, and 1 tablespoon white vinegar into the flour/crisco mixture and stir together gently.












Divide the dough into three balls.






Place into a freezer bag and chill in the freezer for 20 minutes.












After 20 minutes or so, take one ball of dough out of the freezer and place on a floured surface (stainless steel works well for this) Leave the other two balls in the freezer for next time you want to make a pie.












Roll the dough from the center outward. Mine doesn't look much like a circle, but that's what you want!













Be very careful when lifting the dough from the surface.. and gently set it into the pie pan. Carefully adjust the dough so it lays right against the pan.













First preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Next we'll make the pie filling. For the filling you will need:
  • 1/2 cup Sugar
  • 4 tablespoons Flour
  • 6 Granny Smith Apples
  • 1/2 cup Pecans
  • 1 cup Brown Sugar
  • 1/2 cup Oats
  • 1 & 1/2 sticks cold Butter
  • One 9-inch frozen or homemade pie crust
  • Caramel Topping (as much as you want!)









Start by peeling and coring ~6 apples.














After you peel and core the apples, cut them into fairly small pieces. Put the apples into a large bowl.












Squeeze the juice from half a lemon into the apples, along with 1/2 cup sugar.












Mix together with a spoon and set aside.












Now for the super yummy crumb topping! In a separate bowl add 1/2 cup flour and 1 & 1/2 sticks COLD butter. You will need your pastry cutter or a couple forks again to mix this together.. until most of the butter is broken up and mixed into the flour.












Next, add 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar and 1/2 cup quick oats into the butter/flour and mix together.












Grab your pie crust and pour the apple mixture into it. I had a few too many apples, so i just took some out and set aside (to snack on) =)














Pour a few of the pecans onto the apples. (not all of them, you will need some for later)













Top the apples with the crumb mixture..spread evenly with your fingers.
Put the rest of the pecans over the crumb topping. To protect the crust so that it doesn't brown too much, I wrapped a couple foil strips around the crust. Now place the pie in the oven that has been preheated to 375 for 25 minutes to start. After 25 minutes have gone by, take the foil off and place back into the oven for another 30 minutes.
Once the pie has finished baking, place on a cooling rack for...as long as you can wait to eat it. =P I waited maybe an hour. Once cooled for a bit, grab the caramel!

And Drizzle, drizzle, drizzle! =)

















Add as much caramel as you like.

















So yummy! I have never tasted such a delicious apple pie, the topping was rich and soo good.
Homemade whipped cream!
Grab your ingredients, you will need:
  • 1 cup Whipping Cream
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Flavor
  • 3 tablespoons Powdered Sugar
Now before you begin, put a mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for about 20 minutes. Notice the bowl I used is very cold. You also want to use cold whipping cream.
Start by adding 1 cup cold whipping cream to a cold bowl, beat until it thickens a little bit.
Next, add 3 tablespoons powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
Mix for a couple minutes until it reaches stiff peaks.
Enjoy on caramel apple pecan pie!
















Made with love
~Angela

2 comments:

Words Of Deliciousness said...

Great job for your first pie! Your pie looks amazing. I think I am going to have to get some apples and try this recipe.

Kris said...

Hi Angela! Thanks for visiting me at Simplify!!! You have a great blog too!!! I will be back. You have made me hungry!

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