Best Traditional Apple Pie Recipes

TRADITIONAL APPLE PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a medium-mixing bowl cut the shortening and salt into the flour by hand or with a pastry blender hands until it's the texture of cornmeal. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of ice water over the mixture and mix just until the dough is moistened. Repeat by adding 6 to 8 tablespoons water (one at a time) until all the dough is just moist. Take care not to over mix.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Divide the dough in half and roll into a ball. Roll 1 ball into a circle to fit a 9 to 10-inch pie plate. To transfer the pastry to the pie plate, wrap it around a rolling pin and ease it into the pie plate. Be careful not to stretch the pastry. Trim it even with the edges of the pie plate. Add the apple filling into the pastry lined pie plate. Make sure they are laying flat. Cut butter into small pieces and put on top of the filling.
• Roll the remaining pastry into a 12-inch circle. Place on top of the filling. Trim off 1-inch beyond the edge of the pie plate. Crimp the edges as desired. Cut slits to allow steam to escape when baking. Sprinkle a little sugar and cinnamon over the pie.
• Cover the edges with foil to prevent over browning. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes, or until it is golden brown. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
• In a medium bowl combine the apples, with the brown and white sugar. Add flour, cinnamon and continue mixing until they are well coated.

TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH RECIPES - APPLE BUTTERSCOTCH PIE

Steps:

• You can use a ready-prepared pastry flan case or make your own. I recommend Recipe #148258.(I would like to mention that on rampantscotland.com, most pie crust recipes are made with half lard, half butter. Seems to be another scottish touch, which I like).
• Peel and thinly slice the apples to fill the case completely.
• Beat together one egg and two tablespoon of cream. Mix this with the brown sugar, flour and pinch of salt.
• Spread this mixture over the apples and bake in a preheated oven at 220C/425F/Gas mark 7 for ten minutes. Then reduce the heat to 180C/350F/Gas mark 4 for a further 20 minutes or so, until the apples are soft.
• Make a meringue topping by placing two egg whites in a dry bowl and beat with an electric whisk/mixer until firm peaks form. Add the white sugar gradually, beating constantly until the mixture is thick and glossy and all the sugar has dissolved.
• Spread the plum jam over the apples and then spoon the meringue over the filling. Swirl into peaks with a fork or flat-bladed knife.
• Bake for a further 20 minutes or so until the meringue is lightly golden.(watch kind of closely, I've burned meringues by following these directions excactly because ovens vary) Serve cold.

TRADITIONAL APPLE PIE

Steps:

• Toss together the sugars, spices, and salt. Peel and core the apples and cut them into 1/2 to 3/4 inch slices. Toss the apples with the lemon juice and the dry ingredients, adding the cornstarch or the tapioca if you want a less runny pie.
• Pile the apples into the rolled out bottom crust, making the pile higher in the center than at the edges. Dot with butter. Cover with the top crust. Decorate the edges with a fork or your fingers, using any method you choose. Refrigerate while you preheat the oven to 450.
• Place the pie on a cookie sheet and brush the top lightly with milk; sprinkle with sugar. Use a sharp paring knife to cut two or three 2 inch long vent holes in the top crust. This will allow steam to escape. Place in oven for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 and bake another 40 to 50 minutes, or until the pie is golden brown. Do not underbake. Cool on the rack before serving to room temperature.