Apple Pie

Apple Pie Bars

8:00 AM



Apple Pie Bars

For the crust:
1 pound (4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the apple filling:
1 1/2 pounds Granny Smith apples, peeled, quartered, cored, and sliced 1/8 inch thick (3 large)
1 1/2 pounds Golden Delicious apples, peeled, quartered, cored, and sliced 1/8 inch thick (3 large)
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. For the crust, place the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, until light and creamy. Sift the flour and salt together and, with the mixer on low, slowly add to the butter-sugar mixture, beating until combined. Scatter two-thirds of the dough in clumps in a parchment lined 9 x 13-inch baking pan and press it lightly with floured hands on the bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides. Refrigerate for 20 minutes. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until the crust is golden brown, and set aside to cool. Meanwhile, put the mixing bowl with the remaining dough back on the mixer, add the walnuts and cinnamon, and mix on low speed to combine. Set aside.Reduce the oven to 350 degrees. For the filling, combine the Granny Smith and Golden Delicious apples and lemon juice in a very large bowl. Add the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg and mix well. Melt the butter in a large (10-inch-diameter) pot, add the apples, and simmer over medium to medium-low heat, stirring often, for 12 to 15 minutes, until the apples are tender and the liquid has mostly evaporated. Spread the apples evenly over the crust, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Pinch medium pieces of the remaining dough with your fingers and drop them evenly on top of the apples (they will not be covered). Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the topping is browned. Cool completely and cut into squares.

Apple Pie

Apple Puffs

8:18 AM




Apple Puffs

2 pounds sweet, tart apples, such as cameo and braeburn, chopped small
4 tablespoons honey 
3 tablespoons unsalted butter 
1 tablespoon lemon juice 
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
1/8 teaspoon salt 
1 cup walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped small 
All-purpose flour, for dusting
One 14-ounce package puff pastry, defrosted 

Place the apples in a medium pot with 1/2 cup water, the honey, butter, lemon juice and cinnamon. Stir and cook over medium heat until the apples soften, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the walnuts. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and place a rack close to the center of the oven. On a lightly floured surface, roll the puff pastry to about 1/8-inch thick and cut the pastry into 3-by-3-inch squares. Press the squares into the wells of a mini muffin tin and poke the bottoms with a fork to dock. Place a heaping tablespoon of the apple mixture in the center. Repeat for the remaining pieces of pastry and apple filling. Bake until the pastries are puffed and golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool pastries on a wire rack.