The Best Apple Pie – a.k.a. Noah’s “Just an Apple Pie”

Step 1

Using a food processor or a pastry cutter, cut cold butter and shortening into flour, brown sugar and salt until mixture resembles a coarse meal. Small pieces of butter should still be visible.

Step 2

Pour vanilla and vinegar into cold water then pour over the mixture and work in by tossing with a fork until dough begins to form. Use your hands as little as possible and work the dough as little as possible.

Step 3

Divide dough into 2 balls, flatten into 2 rounds, wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to rest for a minimum of 20 minutes.You can make your dough the previous day but make sure you take it out of the fridge for 10 minutes to warm slightly before rolling out.

Step 4

Melt butter in a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Saute the apples for about 5 minutes until the are fully warmed throughout but not falling apart. Set aside to cool for a few minutes.

Step 5

Meanwhile, simmer the apple juice over medium-low heat. Continue to simmer until the volume of juice has reduced to 1 cup.

Step 6

Add the reduced juice to the apples and return to the stove top on medium heat to get the mixture boiling, then add the sugars, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Step 7

Simmer for only a minute before adding a thickening slurry made from dissolving together the corn starch and water.

Step 8

Stir continuously as you add the corn starch slurry and continue to simmer stirring constantly for about a minute. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature before using to fill the bottom pie crust.

Step 9

Roll the first dough round into a 12 inch round and place in the bottom of a 10 inch pie plate. Push the dough into the corners and ensure that it is not stretched at all or it will shrink from the edge.

Step 10

Trim dough to edge of plate. Add the cooled apple pie filling.

Step 11

Roll the remaining dough round into 12 inch square-ish shape and cut that into 8 or 10 equal strips for the lattice crust top.

Step 12

Place the remaining pastry strips on top of the apple pie filling, interweaving them to form a simple lattice pattern.

Step 13

Press the ends of the strips into the edge of the bottom crust and trim the excess with a sharp knife.

Step 14

Brush the edges of the crust and the lattice top with an eggwash made by whisking together the egg yolk and water.

Step 15

Sprinkle the lattice top with turbinado sugar if desired.

Step 16

Chill the pie in the fridge for about 20 minutes to a half hour before placing it on a cookie sheet (to catch any drips from the filling) in a preheated 400 degree F oven. Bottom rack is best.

Step 17

Bake for 20 minutes at that temperature then reduce heat to 350 degrees F and bake for an additional 30- 35 minutes or until the crust is an even golden brown. The filling need not bubble for this pie to be done.

Step 18

Allow to cool on a wire rack at room temperature for at least a couple of hours before serving.

Step 19

NOTE: If your lattice crust edges begin to get too brown wrap them with aluminum foil for the last of the baking time.