Although apple pie certainly didn’t originate in the US, in the 19th and 20th centuries, apple pie became a symbol of American prosperity and national pride. Not to mention how delicious and easy it is to make. It is well worth the extra effort of making homemade crust, however if you are lacking time, you can always substitute for a good quality store bought option.

Ingredients:

For the Crust:  (makes one 9” pie)

2 1/2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup cold butter (one and a half sticks)

7 to 8 Tablespoons ice-cold North Coast apple cider (or juice)

For the Filling:

1 1/2 cups + 3 Tablespoons North Coast apple cider (or juice)

6 cups firm apples (Granny Smith works best)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 Tablespoon cinnamon

1 Tablespoon cornstarch

1 Tablespoon butter

Apple Cider and sugar for dusting

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400°

For the crust: In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Cut the butter in with a pastry blender until the mixture resembles tiny peas. Sprinkle the apple cider in 1-2 Tablespoons at a time and mix lightly with a fork. Add enough cider to make the pastry hold together when pushed into a ball. On a lightly floured surface, cut the dough in half and roll each ball out to make a 12” circle. Place the bottom crust into a 9” pie place and make your apple pie filling.

For the filling: In a large skillet, cook the apples and 1 1/2 cup apple cider over medium heat covered for approximately 5-7 minutes. Remove apples from the pan into a large bowl. In a small bowl, mix together the sugar, cinnamon, cornstarch, and 3 Tablespoons apple cider until combined. Add this to the skillet with the apple liquid and cook over medium-low heat until the mixture thickens, stirring often. Stir in butter. Once the butter has melted, pour the liquid over the apples and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes. When the apples have cooled, pour them into the pie plate and smooth before covering with the top crust. Primp the edges with your fingers until all sides are properly sealed. Brush the top with apple cider and sprinkle sugar on top. With a cookie sheet underneath the pie to catch any drippings, bake for 40-45 minutes or until the crust is a nice golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool before slicing. Enjoy!