This apple does not fall far from the tree. Kyle’s dad is the Culinary R&D Chef at Maggiano’s and his
mom is a talented baker who has not caved to my pleas to open a bakery. Perhaps we can convince both of them to
submit a recipe too! End your teacher’s
year on a sweet note with these yummy apple pies! I am in awe of teachers and respect their
dedication and passion to our kids. I
wish that I had a job in which I impacted so many lives. There have been many special teachers in my
life. To all teachers out there, THANK
YOU!
Ingredients:
Pie Crust:
 |
| Chef Kyle with Pocket Apple Pie |
1.
2 ½ cups all purpose flour
2.
1 t salt
3.
2 T granulated sugar
4.
2 sticks (1 C) cold unsalted butter, cut into ½ inch
dice
5.
6-8 T ice water
OR
1.
Pre-made pie crusts like by Pillsbury, located in the
refrigerated section
Apple filling:
 |
| Pocket Apple Pies |
1.
1 ½ lb. Granny Smith (Pink Lady or McIntosh can be
used) apples, peeled, cored and cut into ½ inch dice (about 3-4 medium sized
apples)
2.
1/3 C firmly packed light brown sugar
3.
1 t vanilla extract
4.
¼ t ground cinnamon
5.
1/8 t salt
6.
1/8 t nutmeg
7.
2 t cornstarch
8.
2 T unsalted butter
9.
1 ½ t fresh lemon juice
Other:
1.
1 egg, lightly beaten + 1 t water
2.
Sugar for sprinkling
Directions:
Pie crust from scratch: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted
with the flat beater, beat together the flour, salt and the 2 tablespoons sugar
on low speed until combined, about 10 seconds.
Add the butter and beat for 30 seconds, then increase the speed to
medium-low and beat until the mixture resembles coarse meal, about 1 ½ minutes
more. Add the 6 tablespoons ice water,
reduce the speed to low and beat for 20 seconds. The dough should hold together when squeezed
with your fingers but should not be sticky.
If is is crumbly, add more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, beating for 5
seconds after each addition. Turn the
dough out onto a work surface. Divide
the dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap and shape into a disc. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to
overnight.
In a large bowl, stir together the apples, brown sugar,
vanilla, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg and cornstarch.
In a large sauce pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the apple mixture, cover and cook,
stirring occasionally until the apples are just tender but not mushy, 16 to 18
minutes (mine took about 10 minutes – it will depend on the size of your apple
pieces). Remove from the heat, stir in
the lemon juice and let cool for 30 minutes.
Let dough stand at room temperature for 5 minutes. On a floured surface, roll dough out into a
round 3/16 inch thick. Brush off excess
flour. Using an apple pocket pie mold, cut
out 8 of each shape (4 solid and 4 with the decorative cutout). Reroll the dough scraps, if necessary, and
cut out more shapes. Repeat with the
remaining dough disc.
Place a solid dough shape in the bottom half of the cutter
and gently press the dough into the mold.
(I did not have a cute apple pocket pie mold so I used a cookie cutter
or cup about 3 ½ inches in diameter instead).
Fill the center with 2 tablespoons of the apple filling and brush the
edges of the dough with some of the egg wash.
Top with a shape with a decorative cutout. Press the top half of the cutter down to seal
and crimp the edges of the pie. Remove
the pie from the mold and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling. Freeze the pies for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Brush the top of the pies with egg wash and sprinkle with
the crystallized sugar. Bake until the
crust is golden brown and the filling is gently bubbling, 22 to 24
minutes. Transfer the pies to a wire
rack and let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Or serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice
cream!
Makes 6 - 8 pocket pies.
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