Heartland Harvest Apple Pie
This Heartland Harvest Apple Pie combines the essence of apple orchards with a rich, flaky crust that even novice bakers will find easy to master. Influenced by the Midwest’s dedication to hearty desserts, the pie features a delightful mixture of tart apples, sweet spices, and a touch of lemon juice for brightness. The crust, made with Crisco shortening, is tender and flavorful and pairs beautifully with the warm apple filling. This recipe allows for customization, like adding flour for thicker juices, making it perfect for every palate. Whether you're treating your family or impressing guests, this delicious pie is bound to be a crowd-pleaser!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
all-purpose flour
2 cups (uncooked)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (uncooked)
Crisco shortening
1 cup (cold)
ice water
1/2 cup (chilled)
milk
1/4 cup (for brushing)
white sugar
1/4 cup (for filling)
tart apples
6 cups (peeled and sliced)
brown sugar
1/2 cup (for filling)
cinnamon
1 teaspoon (for filling)
lemon juice
2 tablespoons (fresh)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (for filling)
nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon (for filling)
butter
1 tablespoon (for dotting)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt.
3
Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut in the Crisco shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4
Slowly add the ice water one tablespoon at a time, tossing the mixture lightly with a fork until it forms a dough ball.
5
Divide the dough into two halves and flatten each into a disc.
6
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the first disc into a circle 1/8 inch thick, about 1 1/2 inches larger than an inverted 9-inch pie plate.
7
Carefully place the rolled dough into the pie plate, making sure not to stretch it. Trim the edges to be even with the plate.
8
In another mixing bowl, prepare the apple filling by combining the tart apples, white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, salt, nutmeg, and, if desired, flour. Stir until well mixed.
9
Spoon the apple filling evenly into the unbaked pie shell.
10
Roll out the second disc of dough as you did with the first to create the top crust.
11
Place the top crust over the filled pie, trimming it to 1/2 inch beyond the edge of the pie plate. Fold the top edge under the bottom crust and crimp to seal if desired.
12
Cut slits or designs in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
13
Brush the top crust with milk and sprinkle with a little white sugar.
14
Bake the pie in the preheated oven for 20 minutes at 450°F, then reduce the heat to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for an additional 25 to 30 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the apples are tender.
15
Allow the pie to cool before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Heartland Harvest Apple Pie?
Heartland Harvest Apple Pie is a Midwest-influenced dessert featuring a mixture of tart apples, sweet spices, and a flaky crust made with Crisco shortening.
What kind of apples are best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 6 cups of tart apples, which provide a great flavor balance against the sweet sugars and spices.
How do I make the pie crust flaky?
To achieve a flaky crust, use cold Crisco shortening and ice water, cutting the shortening into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs.
What temperature should I bake the apple pie at?
Start by preheating the oven to 450°F (230°C) for the first 20 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350°F (175°C) for the remainder of the baking time.
How long does it take to bake this pie?
The total baking time is approximately 45 to 50 minutes: 20 minutes at 450°F and an additional 25 to 30 minutes at 350°F.
Can I thicken the apple juices in the filling?
Yes, you can add flour to the apple filling mixture if you prefer thicker juices.
Why is lemon juice used in the filling?
Lemon juice is added to the filling to provide brightness and balance the sweetness of the sugars.
How thick should I roll out the pie dough?
The dough should be rolled out into a circle approximately 1/8 inch thick.
What size pie plate do I need?
This recipe is designed for a 9-inch pie plate.
How do I seal the top and bottom crusts?
Fold the top edge under the bottom crust and crimp the edges to create a seal.
Why do I need to cut slits in the top crust?
Cutting slits or designs in the top crust allows steam to escape while the pie is baking.
What should I brush on the crust before baking?
Brush the top crust with milk and sprinkle with a little white sugar for a golden finish.
How do I know when the pie is done?
The pie is ready when the crust is golden brown and the apples inside are tender.
Should the pie cool before serving?
Yes, you should allow the pie to cool before slicing to help the filling set.
What ingredients are in the crust?
The crust consists of all-purpose flour, salt, cold Crisco shortening, and ice water.
How much sugar is in the filling?
The filling uses 1/4 cup of white sugar and 1/2 cup of brown sugar.
Which spices are used in this apple pie?
This recipe uses cinnamon and nutmeg to spice the apple filling.
Is there salt in the crust?
Yes, the crust includes 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
Is salt also added to the filling?
Yes, an additional 1/4 teaspoon of salt is mixed into the apple filling.
What is the purpose of the butter in the ingredients?
One tablespoon of butter is used for dotting the filling before the top crust is added.
How many cups of apples are required?
You will need 6 cups of peeled and sliced tart apples.
Can beginners make this pie?
Yes, the recipe description mentions that even novice bakers will find the flaky crust easy to master.
What tools are needed for the dough?
You will need a large mixing bowl, a pastry blender (or two knives), a fork, and a rolling pin.
How many discs should I divide the dough into?
Divide the dough into two equal halves and flatten each into a disc.
How much larger should the rolled dough be than the pie plate?
The dough should be rolled out about 1 1/2 inches larger than the inverted 9-inch pie plate.
What is the primary fat source for the crust?
The primary fat source used to create the tender crust is Crisco shortening.
Does the recipe use brown sugar?
Yes, the filling uses 1/2 cup of brown sugar for sweetness and depth.
What does 'cutting in' the shortening mean?
Cutting in means incorporating the solid shortening into the flour until the pieces are small and resemble coarse crumbs.
Is the apple filling cooked before going into the crust?
No, the apple filling is spooned evenly into an unbaked pie shell.
Can I customize this recipe?
Yes, you can customize it by adding flour for thicker juices or adjusting the spices to suit your palate.