Apple pie in a bag, deconstructed!

The Elegant Farmer, a deli and bakery located in Mukwonago, WI, makes amazing pies. Many are baked in a brown paper bag.  My favorite is their apple pie.  It is simply the best apple pie I have ever eaten.  It is sweet, flaky, and incredibly satisfying.

As pies go, it is also fairly easy to make.  All you need is a pie, an oven, and a paper bag!

This recipe is adapted from one created by Gale Gand, but I think any apple pie could benefit from being baked in a paper bag!

Apple pie in a bag

The crust

2 c. flour

½ c. shortening

½ c. butter, room temperature

1/4 c. sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

Pinch cinnamon and ground nutmeg

1/2 c. ice water

Using your hands, blend the flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, butter, and shortening until the mixture breaks into pebbles.  Slowly add the ice water until the mixture forms into ball.  Divide into two equal parts, and pat into discs about ½ inch thick.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

The filling

6 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and thickly sliced

½ c. brown sugar

1 ½ TB. corn starch

1 TB. lemon juice

1 TB. brandy

1 tsp. cinnamon

½ tsp. ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp. salt

1 ½ TB. cold butter, but into small pieces

sugar

On a floured surface, roll out one disc of pie dough in a circle until it is about two inches larger than your pie pan.  Using your floured rolling pin, roll up the dough and lay it on top of the pan.  Gently push the dough down until it completely lines the pan.  Roll out the second disc of dough to the same size and refrigerate.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  In a large bowl, add the sugar, starch, lemon juice, brandy, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.  Peel the apples, and remove the cores.  Cut into thick slices, 1/8 to ¼ inches thick.  Toss in the mixture until well covered.  Pour the apples into the dough-lined pan and dot with butter.  Cover with pie dough and crimp the dough around the edges, sealing the pie completely.   Cut three slits in the pie crust, about two inches long.  If desired, sprinkle with sugar.  

Place the pie in a brown paper bag and staple it shut.  Place the package on a cookie sheet and bake for one hour.  Remove the pie from the oven and cut a square or circle in the paper over the pie.  Bake for another 15-20 minutes, until the crust is golden brown.  Remove from the oven and let cool completely before serving.

Serve with vanilla or cinnamon ice cream, or whipped cream.

Apple pie in a bag, deconstructed

The crust

2 c. flour 

>Health alert:  If white flour presents a health concern, the best option may be a nut, or gluten-free flour.

>Ingredient alert:  Flour is required to make this pie crust. 

½ c. shortening 

>Fat alert:  Shortening is fat.  In this recipe, it is necessary for a flaky pie crust.  The amount may be reduced, but additional water will be required to ensure the dough holds together.

>Ingredient alert:  Fat is essential to a flaky pie crust.  Reducing the amount of the fat may result in a drier, flatter pie crust. 

½ c. butter, room temperature

>Fat alert:  Butter is fat. In this recipe, it is necessary to ensure a flaky pie crust.  If fat is a dietary concern, try light butter or a reduced amount of butter. 

>Health alert:  Butter is a dairy product.  If dairy products are a dietary concern, vegetable shortening is the best substitute.  Vegan butter may also be used.

>Ingredient alert:  The butter in this recipe gives the pie dough a rich flavor.  Eliminating, replacing, or reducing the amount of butter will affect the flavor of the pie crust. 

1/4 c. sugar

>Health alert:  If sugar is a dietary concern, any sugar substitute may be used. 

1/2 tsp. salt

Pinch cinnamon and ground nutmeg

1/2 c. ice water

(Follow the instructions above.)

The filling

6 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and thickly sliced

½ c. brown sugar

>Health alert:  If sugar is a dietary concern, any sugar substitute may be used. 

1 ½ TB. corn starch

1 TB. lemon juice

1 TB. brandy

>Health alert: Brandy contains alcohol and sugar.  It may present a heath concern for those watching sugar levels, or those who abstain from alcohol.  In the alternative, toss the apples with non-alcoholic brandy flavoring or vanilla. As always, check any ingredient labels carefully. 

1 tsp. cinnamon

½ tsp. ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp. salt

1 ½ TB. cold butter, but into small pieces 

>Fat alert:  Butter is fat. In this recipe, it adds a richness to the apples. If fat is a dietary concern, try light butter or a reduced amount of butter. 

>Health alert:  Butter is a dairy product.  If dairy products are a dietary concern, margarine or vegan butter may be used.

>Ingredient alert:  The butter in this recipe flavors the apples.  Eliminating, replacing, or reducing the amount of butter will affect the flavor of the pie. 

Sugar 

>Health alert:  The sugar is sprinkled on top of the pie crust to add to the flavor.  If sugar is a dietary concern, it may be eliminated. 

(Follow the instructions above.)