In Hawaii, it is customary to refer to older folk as auntie or uncle, not necessarily because they are related to you. Well, I have had a few aunties since moving to Hawaii in 1997, but no one has risen to the occasion quite as often as my Auntie LeAnn. She has been a close friend over the years. Auntie LeAnn has delivered her “Perfect Apple Pie” warm and ready at our doorstep numerous times on birthdays and holidays and in times of life’s struggles when a warm piece of apple pie provides some needed comfort. Amid the pandemic, I thought we all could use a sweet dessert to warm our bellies and make us smile, so I asked my auntie if I could share her recipe with y’all. She agreed.
Ingredients
6 cups of apples (4 red and 2 granny smith)
1 cup of sugar
2 tbsp of flour
1 tsp cinnamon
A dash of nutmeg
Auntie uses a prepared pie crust she picks up at her local supermarket.
If you prefer to make your pie crust and need a recipe, here is an Easy All-Butter Flaky Pie Crust recipe.
Directions
- Peel and slice all six apples and place them into a large bowl.
- Add the cinnamon and sugar, stir into the bowl of apple slices.
- Prepare your bottom crust.
- Add two tablespoons of flour and dash of nutmeg into the apple slices; mix well; this helps hold it all together.
- Place prepared bottom crust into a pie pan.
- Transfer the apple slices into the prepared bottom crust.
- Place the top crust over the pie filling and crimp the edges to seal the crust.
- Sprinkle with a dusting of sugar and cinnamon.
- Use a sharp knife to cut slices into the top of the dough for venting out the steam. If you want to add a little extra pizzazz, you can follow this video tutorial, How to Make a Lattice Pie Crust.
- Bake at 400º for 1 hour.
A Little History
According to the American Pie Council, “Over the years, pie has evolved to become what it is today ‘the most traditional American dessert.’ Pie has become so much a part of American culture throughout the years, that we now commonly use the term ‘as American as apple pie.’
Interestingly, early American settlers cooked their pies in long narrow pans, nothing like the round pie pans we use today. Also, they did not eat the pie crust. They simply used it to hold in the filling. I cannot imagine skipping the pie crust, can you?
“Rufus Estes, the first African-American chef to publish a cookbook, amped up the flavor of his apple pies with lemon and cloves, and a sugar syrup infused with apple peelings and cores, ” Mary Allen Perry of Southern Living explains.
Pie Day
Did you know there is a National Pie Day? It has been celebrated every year in January since the 1970s. The next National Pie Day will be on Saturday, January 23, 2021. There are also businesses around the country that offer free and discounted pie to celebrate National Pie Day. I will be checking in with my local bakeries in January to get my free slice of pie!
If you cannot wait for a free slice, try my aunties recipe! I know you will enjoy eating her perfect apple pie. Here are some pie making tips that can help if you decide to try the recipe.
