Mom's Best Apple Pie

Monday, November 21, 2016

Is there any more favorite pie in America than apple pie? 

Well, I don't know the exact statistics for the answer to that question, but I do know this one thing. My mother makes the best apple pie you've ever tasted.  {smiles} 


This is truth in our family's opinion at least, and I won't argue with you if your mom makes the best apple pie {grin} Truly apple pie is near and dear to all of our hearts, I think.  But if you will allow me, I'd like to share with you my mother's best recipe for apple pie.  I think you might love it just as much as we do. {smiles}


The trick to my mom's pie is right here in this little pot!  You mix the sugar, butter spices and a bit of water together, and bring it to a boil, and then cool slightly. 


While the sugar solution is cooling, peel and slice the apples ~ about 4-5 cups of apples is perfect for a 9" pie.


Roll out your favorite pie crust and place it into the 9" pie plate.  Add a layer of apples in the bottom of the pan, and then drizzle 1/3 of the sugar mixture over the apples.


Continue with two more layers of sugar and spice mixture over the apples.


And you may have to refrain yourself from eating the apples just like this! {smiles}


Here is Mom's recipe published in their church cookbook.


Just out of the oven...


The melting together of the sugar, spices and butter that coats the apples served warm from the oven with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream becomes a marriage made in sugar's own heaven.



And of course, don't forget a hot cup of cinnamon tea as the perfect accompaniment to this delight.


I like to make my own cinnamon tea... it is as easy as can be!



To a simmering pot of water on the stove (about 4 cups of water) add 1-2 sticks cinnamon, 4-5 whole cloves,1-2 anise, a tablespoon of sugar, a dash of nutmeg, and a splash of vanilla.  Simmer until your house begins to smell like cinnamon tea... and then you know it is ready.  (An added bonus is that your house smells as good as the tea tastes!) You can add cream and sugar if desired, but I like mine just as it is.  






On a cold wet wintry day, this hot cinnamon tea, and tender apple pie served up as an afternoon treat is the perfect way to enjoy the weather, from the inside looking out.



The snow lasted on the ground for an hour or so and then it was gone.  Just a sprinkle to let us know more is on its way!

And while the taste of winter is on our doorstep, I want to share some pictures of fall that my  precious mother took while she was home last month visiting her mother and family in northeastern Canada.   May they serve up one last hurrah for fall!


Oh be still my heart!  What joy to see the beauty of fall in all its splendor through the eyes of my mother's camera.


Lovely views of the rolling farmland with the coat of many colors adorning the treed hills beyond.


Beautiful colors of the fall that was incredibly lovely this year.  Many people said this year in the northeast was the most vibrant it had been in years, and I have to agree.


And here we have the most beautiful collection of fall's bountiful beauty!  Can you see who is hiding in this picture?


If you guessed my beautiful mother, you are right!  She and some of her nieces went out and played in the leaves.  The girls piled the leaves up around her, and then took some fun pictures.  I will treasure this picture always of my mother (her face is blurred to protect privacy). She knows how to have fun!   My heart was so thrilled and overjoyed to hear of the joy she experienced, enjoying the beauty of the falling leaves and having such a special time with her nieces.  I wish I could have been there too :)  We were blessed to enjoy a beautiful fall here too, but it was a special joy for me to see the glorious colors from up north too.

Below is the recipe for Mom's Best Apple Pie, and Cinnamon Tea.



MOM'S BEST APPLE PIE
Pastry for 9" double pie (recipe below)
Peeled, sliced apples (about 4-5 cups)
3/4 cup white or brown sugar (I used brown sugar)
3 Tablespoons water
1 tsp flour
1 Tablespoon butter
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Mix sugar, water, flour, butter and spices together in small pot.  Bring to a boil, remove from heat and let cool.  Prepare apples.  Place bottom pie crust in pan, and put 1/3 apples in pan.  Pour 1/3 sugar mixture over the apples, and repeat with two layers of sugar and apples.  Place pie crust over all and finish edges of pie.  Bake at 350 for 45 minutes (or until apples are fork tender). Let cool for 1 hour. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

MOM'S BEST PIE CRUST
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 cups lard (1 pound)
1 egg
4 tsp vinegar
ice water

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.  Blend lard into flour mixture until mixture resembles small peas.  Beat egg in measuring cup, add vinegar, and enough ice water to make 3/4 cup.  Blend vinegar mixture into flour a little at a time until well mixed, adding only enough liquid until dough clings together.  Gather into a ball, cover and refrigerate 30 minutes before rolling out.  Makes 6 pie crusts.

CINNAMON TEA

1-2 cinnamon sticks (broken in half to fit into pan)
4-5 cups water
5 whole cloves
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Mix all together in small pot, and let simmer until the house smells like cinnamon.  Can be served with cream and sugar, or as is.  Enjoy with apple pie :)





56 comments

  1. I also love Apple Pies much, my darling Marilyn, and I'm so grateful to you for sharing your recipe, it's quite different from mine, that's why I'd love to try it !

    As for your Autumn, I'm falling in love with the places which are surrounding you !

    Wishing you a most wonderful remainder of your week ever,
    I'm sending love & hugs to you

    BLESSINGS

    Xx Dany

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    1. Thank you Dany for you very sweet visit, I hope you get to try this version of apple pie, it is wonderful :) Many blessings and hugs sent to you today!

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  2. Wonderful photos as always. Thank you so much for sharing.

    We'll try the apple pie recipe. It looks delicious. How do you stop the apples from turning brown as you peel and cut them? I understand as they get in contact with oxygen they turn brown quickly.

    Looking at that cup of hot tea ... look at the bubbles in the centre ... I ask such a question on my Blog today. Perhaps you and your readers can help me with some answers. Thanx.

    God bless you and your family.

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    1. Hi Victor! I don't worry about the apples turning brown as I peel them after I've got the sugar/spice mixture cooling, and it is usually not a problem. I hope you will try the recipe, it is a tummy pleaser for sure :) As for the bubbles in the tea cup, your guess is as good as mine! LOL! Appreciate your visit, as always! Have a blessed week ahead :)

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  3. ahh
    for what i should say thank you first .
    the fabulous food or the
    enchanting scenes you brought as huge pleasure .
    god bless you dear

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    1. Hello Baili! So happy to meet you, and thank you for your very sweet comment! I pray you enjoyed your visit here, and come back to visit soon! Many hugs to you too :)

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  4. I will try the recipes. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

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    1. Thank you for the Thanksgiving wishes! Blessings to you today dear friend :)

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  5. Oh how yummy is this! Smiles---I will have to try that water mix. As for snow, we had tons yesterday (that winter storm hit) and it is bitter cold, I'm so not complaining.(loveeee this weather)

    Have a beautiful day. Marilyn. smiles

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    1. No snow here! LOL... oh those weather men! All we got was rain :( We were hoping for snow, but glad at least we got some rain :) Hope you had a lovely and special Thanksgiving! Hugs to you today!

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  6. Marilyn: You should share with them the crust recipe as that also adds to the pie. Love your blog. Will miss you this thanksgiving but will be blessed at Xmas time. Love, Mom

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    1. Thanks Mom! I did go back and add in the pie crust recipe, I agree, it is the best! So flaky and tender :) Thank you for leaving a comment! Love you so much and looking forward to Christmas too :)

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  7. Yep, I'm with you friend. My mom and her mom before her made the best pie. I don't even try to compete.

    I just remember with gratefulness ...

    Yum.

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    1. Isn't it great to have these recipes passed down from generation to generation :) Have a blessed week ahead!

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  8. WoW, I love apple pie, thanks for sharing the recipe!

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    1. Apple pie is the best, I agree :) Have a blessed day Mary!

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  9. Hi Marilyn! Your photos of the apple pie made my stomach start rumbling, that's never happened to me before. Wow! My nephew is making an apple pie for Thanksgiving, and I hope it's as good as yours. And I bet that cinnamon tea makes your house smell divine.
    The first photo of the trees was spectacular!!! Such bright, vivid colors, I just loved it. Thank you for sharing!
    Blessings,
    Ceil

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    1. Thank you for your kind words, Ceil, you always bless me with your visit! Hope that your Thanksgiving was wonderful! I hope the memories of your dad was a blessing to you, as I know that holidays can be so tough without their presence. Many hugs to you today dear friend!

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  10. Oh thank you Marilyn for sharing the cinnamon tea recipe :0) it is something I'll be trying next week, when I begin to decorate for Christmas :D have a blessed Thanksgiving dear lady... :D mari

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    1. Wonderful Mari, that cinnamon tea just warms the house up all by itself! Hugs to you today dear friend :)

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  11. You've got me drooling for that apple pie and cinnamon tea. Sounds so good. I always that my mother's apple pie was the best, but this sounds really good! My mother always baked an apple pie for my birthday (in September), so that is why I am quite prejudiced about her pie. Since she passed away 10 years ago, my big sister bakes it for me every year. I'm spoiled. Your mother has a gift for photography...and the pictures are wonderful. Have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving...and stay warm! Looking forward to more pictures!

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    1. How special that your sister continues on the tradition of baking you an apple pie! That is just a precious memory you shared with me, thank you! These are the kinds of memories that I love to hear about. Many hugs to you today dear friend! Have a blessed week ahead :)

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  12. That pie looks absolutely amazing!!

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    1. Thank you, it is a delight for sure! Have a blessed week :)

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  13. Your pie looks amazing Marilyn! And that cinnamon tea sounds wonderful too. I'm gonna jot down that recipe. I must admit, I don't really like apple pie..shocking I know. (Smiles) I'm a chocolate pie or pecan pie girl!
    But I bet its delish!
    Happy a wonderful Thanksgiving!
    Hugs to you, Amy

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    1. Oh no, its not shocking at all, in fact I have family members who don't like apple pie - everyone has their favorites! I do love chocolate and pecan pies too! Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving :)

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  14. Your mother's apple pie recipe sounds delicious! Makes my mouth water just looking at the photos. I make my apple pie less sweet and without any spices because that's how my own mother made it. I'm just picky about the apples used in the pie for the best apple flavour. It's nice to see how we all remember our mother's pies as "the best"!!
    Your mom took some beautiful photos of fall ... love those distant hills.
    Wendy

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    1. You are right about using the right kind of apples for the pie, it really does make a difference! I've never heard of making an apple pie without spices, but I bet that using the right kind of apple would provide plenty of flavor. Thank you for sharing your memory with me, I love it! Have a blessed day :)

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  15. That sounds absolutely delicious!!! My mom always made a 'sauce' to put over her apples, too. I have never made my own that way-but I do use brown/white sugar mix and lots of apple pie spice. My dad always loved my mother's apple pie.

    Those pictures your mom took are just lovely. Thye colors are phenomenal. xo Diana

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    1. How interesting that your mother used the sauce as well for her pies. I love hearing about everyone's different way of making their pies. And those fall pictures up north were amazing this year, I sure wish I could have gone and enjoyed them with my mother, but it just wasn't possible this year. Hugs to you today dear friend!

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  16. You've really had some beautiful color this Fall! And the apple pie looks amazing! You've made my mouth water! Happy Thanksgiving!

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    1. Appreciate your visit and kind words so much! Thank you for your visit :) Have a blessed week ahead!

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  17. Hi Marilyn, mmm apple pie I will have to try your mom's recipe. I hope your table is full of Love and laughter this Thanksgiving. Blessings Friend!

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    1. We had a beautiful and blessed Thanksgiving. Apple pie was served at our Thanksgiving too :) Hope you are having a wonderful week so far!

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  18. Hi Marilyn~~ oh my my your mom's apple pie looks fabulous! I have never heard of cooking the sugar mixture like that, but I am sure going to give it a try.
    Apple pie is good, but oh how I love pumpkin pie.:-)
    Your dear mother is darling in those leaves.

    Have a most blessed Thanksgiving~~

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    1. Pumpkin pie is probably the favorite here at our house! I do love apple pie, but pumpkin comes in a close second for me. Well, any pie really! I love them all, lol! Wasn't that a sweet picture of my mother! I just love it, and will always cherish it. Many hugs to you today dear friend!

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  20. Oh, my! This looks truly amazing! Your Mom sounds like such a sweet, dear soul! I love that she still plays with the little ones and has such a joyful spirit. I'm sure she is a perfect grandma! I haven't made an apple pie for a while...I am wondering if I could use honey in this recipe, instead of the sugar? I think since it is all blended together on the stove like this, the honey might work! I try to substitute honey in every possible situation, since I don't use any sugar. I might just try it sometime. :) I just noticed that you left a comment on my blog, and here I am leaving one on yours...we must have been on each other's blogs at almost the same time! Thank you for this heartwarming post and for sharing these wonderful recipes...they are perfect for these cool, crisp, autumn days! Sending you lots of love and hugs, sweet friend. :)

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    1. Isn't that the funniest thing, how we are quite often thinking about each other at the same time! Yes, my Mom is so precious and full of energy! All the little ones love her, and she is so much fun to be with. I am blessed! Sad that I don't get to see her very much, but looking forward to Christmas with all my family :) I think you definitely could make this pie with honey, I don't see why not! If you do, let me know how it turns out!

      Many hugs to you dear friend, praying you get to feeling better soon, many hugs to you today!

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  21. Your mom's pie looks super yummy. My mom makes a great apple pie as well, I love the smell of it.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. I love the smell of apple pie too! There is just something about our mother's and their apple pie, isn't there! Many hugs to you today Amalia!

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  22. I know I'm strange but, apple pie is not one of my favourites and I think it is because my mum didn't make a very good one! LOL I have tasted wonderful apple pies though and everyone does something a bit different to make theirs so delicious. I will admit that I don't even make pies of any kind! But I do make great cookies! Your mom's recipe sounds yummy with the 'sauce' added to the apples. I'm glad your mom got to have a nice visit to my part of the continent and enjoyed seeing her beautiful photos. The colours were truly spectacular this fall as shown in her pics. We had our first dusting of snow yesterday which melted, then another dusting last night. Our temps are cold at just above freezing for the rest of the week so I think we are on our way to wintry weather after a gorgeous summer and fall. I wish you and yours a very blessed Thanksgiving tomorrow. Hugs, Pam

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    1. My mother had such a good visit home to NB this fall, it was the perfect time to come, and she loved every minute of it! I understand that you don't like apple pie, as I have some family members who also do not like it. Now cookies, that sounds pretty awesome, in fact I am munching on some molasses cookies I made last night, 'tis the season for cookies, lol! We still have no snow! It has been staying in the 40s here, and we've been getting lots of rain, which is a good thing. We had a blessed Thanksgiving, thank you! Appreciate your visit as always :) Have a wonderful week ahead!

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  23. Your mom's apple pie looks simply delicious. I'm baking pumpkin and pecan pies right now and my whole house is smelling so good. Love all the pictures. So very beautiful. You are truly blessed. Happy Thanksgiving. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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    1. Yum! I love all kinds of pies, Thanksgiving is the best with all the pies! Now, it is cookie season, lol! Many hugs to you dear friend :)

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  24. Oh how delicious your mom's apple pie looks. Thank you for sharing the recipes and your beautiful fall photos too. Just stunning! Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving. Blessings. xo

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    1. Thank you for your sweet visit and comment Celestina! We had a blessed Thanksgiving, thank you so much! Hard to believe we are now in the Christmas season! Where did this year go? Appreciate your visit, and wishing you a lovely week ahead!

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  25. You are so kind to share your Mom's apple pie recipe with us! It sounds amazing, as does having it with your tea-visiting together. Some day, it will be wonderful to have all the time we can imagine and chat.
    May you and yours have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
    Hugs,
    Noreen

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    1. Yes, so true Noreen! Thank you for the sweet visit and comment! We did have a blessed Thanksgiving, and trust you did too! Many hugs to you today :)

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  26. Your blog is full of beauty. I love your teacup.

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  27. Oh, I would LOVE a slice of that pie! Your mom sounds like a star.

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  28. That apple looks delicious! Love the way the fruit looks inside. Thank you so much for sharing the recipes! Cinnamon tea is good for one's health. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Beautiful photos!!Thank you so much for your visit and comment dear friend.

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  29. Your apple pie looks perfect and it makes me crave..i think I want to try your recipe..hehe!thanks for sharing.

    Your nature photos are so lovely...the color of fall is Amazing!

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  30. Oh looks so yum! Such beautiful colors of nature too.

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Your comments are blessings to me, and I appreciate each and every one, they are precious to me! I appreciate you taking the time to comment on my blog... this is what makes blogging worthwhile! Have a blessed day!

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