Apple Pie: Follower's Fest

Today I baked an apple pie for my wonderful husband.  He has been working very hard this week and for that I'm super thankful!  He has been substitute teaching (yesterday, today and is scheduled again tomorrow).  He had work last night at the dollar store, tonight he had tutoring and tomorrow he's being paid to set up lazer tag at a local university.  Yup, haven't seen him much this week but wanted to reward him with the pie.  So I did =D.   Cause he's the best!

Shall we get started??? 

A few things you should know: 

1. I love to bake

2. I'm by no means a perfect baker (I piece my crusts together, my pies are messy)

3. We have a very small apartment with NO counter space.  Literally there are just 2" sections on either side of the sink.  No joke, and the dish drain gets one and the other houses our water filtration system.  So as a result, I just use our table as my counter. :)  It's small but we love it anyway!

4. I'm super excited you stopped by today!

Ok, here we go.

One Yummy Apple Pie coming up!

Let them enjoy their bath while you get the crust ready! 

I don't have a stand mixer so I just mix it all by spoon/hand.

See no need to be perfect with your pie crust.  Guess what!!! Someone will eat it anyway! 

I know, cider vinegar, in a pie??? That's what I thought too, but it works! Trust me!

Just use your hands for this part!  It's ok to get dirty!

Take a step back, admire your work and then drool wait for your husband to get home so you can share it!

I hope that if you have never made a pie from scratch before this gives you the courage to do it!  What are some of you favorite fall recipes? 

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Today I am linking up with: 

Casey, Ilene, Danielle, and Jess 

for the October Followers Fest.

Want to learn more? Want to jump in on it? Click the button below!

If you stopped by from the follower's fest, please say hello!  I'd love to get to know you more!

I'm also linking up with Laura for

And with Amy here:

Apple Recipes

While being on Twitter (when I should have been working), I saw that the lovely Leonora from Yellow Heart Art asked for some apple recipes.  YUM.  I love apples and I've been meaning to post more recipes lately anyway.  So here are 3 recipes that are fairly easy and great for using up apples you may have! 

Apple Pie

*I don't remember where I actually got the recipe for these. 

DOUBLE PIE CRUST

2 1/4 c all purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 c shortening, chilled

1/2 cold butter, cut into slices

6-8 tbsp ice water

***When making pie crust, it's helpful to have all of your ingredients and bowls chilled***

In a large bowl, mix the flour & salt together.

Cut in the chilled shortening & butter using 2 knives (I never actually do this, I always just use a spoon). 

Work only until course crumbs (resembling peas) form.

Sprinkle with 4 tbsp ice water & gently mix together.

If dough seems dry, add more water 1 tbsp at a time. (Only add enough water to make it hold together between pinched fingers).

Divide dough in half and roll out first half and place in pie pan.  (Place second half in freezer until ready to use)

Apple Pie Filling

5-7 peeled apples

1 c sugar

2 tbsp flour

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

1 tbsp cider vinegar

1 tbs lemon juice

Peel and slice apples.  Soak in water with lemon juice to prevent turning colors.

In a large bowl, combine sugar, flour, cinnamon, salt and vinegar.

Drain water from apples and mix with coating.

Poke holes in bottom pie crust to release air. 

Pour apples into pie crust and dot with butter.

Roll out second pie crust and place on top.  Pinch edges together (mine never looks pretty, however they're always eaten =D ).

Place tin foil around the edges.

Bake at 400 for 50-60 minutes.  Remove foil 10 min before pie is done.

Enjoy!

Apple tree in Aaron's dad's yard! :) 

Apple Bars 

From the kitchen of my friend Sally 

1 c sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

pinch of salt (she probably doesn't add this, but I do) 

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 c oil

1 tsp baking powder

3 c flour

2 apples, peeled & chopped (I use 3) 

(Can add optional nuts, raisins, crushed pineapple)

Mix all ingredients well.

Spread in a 9 x 13 pan. 

Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes. 

Let cool.  Can cover with thin frosting or eat as is.

So simple, right???

Perhaps there will be more recipes later this week.