Saturday, December 6, 2008

The Best Pumpkin Pie. Ever.

I'm not a huge fan of pumpkin pie. Oh, I like it . . . yes I do. But it wasn't until I first made THIS pumpkin pie that I came to love it. Because this pie, my friends, has carmelized apples as the first layer.

And I know I'm talking layers here, but this is not a difficult recipe. Hey, if I can make it, well you can too. I first found this wonderful recipe 30 years ago in my favorite cookbook: The Country Cookbook. It's falling apart now but I still use it.

This is my signature dish when I go to dinner in an autumnal or winter setting. And these invites happen all the time. All the time, I tellya.

Well, not really.

But when they do, honestly, this is the dish I take.

I'd love to post a storyboard like I've seen on other blogs, but here I'm just going to post the recipe, ok? And my secret to great pie crust is Betty Crocker's Pie Crust Mix in the box. Just add water. Believe me, it's great. And if you have those cute little leaf cookie cutters that they sell in Williams Sonoma, well it just adds the perfect touch to this fantastic dish.

Pumpkin/Apple Pie
Unbaked 9" pie shell
1/3 c. brown sugar, firmly packed
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 c. water
2 Tbsp. butter
3 c. sliced tart apples
1 egg
1/3 c. sugar
3/4 c. canned pumpkin
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
3/4 c. evaporated milk
Combine brown sugar, cornstarch, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon and 1/4 tsp. salt in large saucepan. Stir in water and butter. Bring to a boil; add apples and cook 4 minutes over medium heat. Set aside.
Beat egg in separate bowl. Add sugar, pumpkin, 1/4 tsp. salt, ginger, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, cloves and evaporated milk. Blend well.
Spoon apple mixture into pie shell. Carefully spoon (or gently pour) pumpkin layer over apples. Bake in moderate oven (375 deg.) for 50-55 minutes. Let cool. If desired, garnish with whipped cream.

I apologize, in advance, for any weight gain this extraordinary pie will surely induce. It's just that good.

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

31 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm a native Marylander, from Harford County. I love everything about pumpkins ... seeds ... ornamental pumkins ... pies. The one thing I don't like is scary jack o lanterns. That pie does look great ... excellent presentation.

Pat - Arkansas said...

Mmmmm... beautiful pie, Kate! I like pumpkin pie more than I like apple pie, but caramelized apples? Yes! Sounds and looks quite yummy!

abb said...

That looks like all kinds of wonderful! And I love those little leaf cut out thingys. I'll take my slice sans ice cream, thank you!

Laura ~Peach~ said...

looks delish! just may need to try it! i love the design on top too how do you do that?

Anonymous said...

Caramelized apples? Sounds wonderful. I've had a sweet tooth all evenin', now I'm really craving somethin' sweet.

Krystina said...

The pie looks lovely! I bet it tastes just as good as it looks! And I must also say I have the same book ;) and it is falling apart for years of use as well!

Ellen said...

Yum. I can feel my blood sugar rising just looking at it. Must try CG's pumpkin pie recipe!

Mary said...

Man, it's 6:45 in the morning, and I'm drooling all over my keyboard! Beautiful pie, Kate!
xoxo,
Mary

Hilary said...

Oh geesh that looks and sounds wonderful.. which is exactly why I must NOT try it. How about you just cut me a small slice?...

Country Girl said...

Thanks, all.

And Laura~Peach: see how the center cut-outs are lighter in color than the edges? They're the same cut out little shapes as the edges, but I put them in the center and I guess that sitting on top of the liquid of the top layer, they weren't able to 'brown' as well as the edges.
Oh, and I use a pie crust cover, so the edges don't get too dark. I'm just particular that way.

~ C.G.

Torsdag 1952 said...

That sounds fine, but no chance to try, I don't have "Betty Crocker's Pie Crust Mix".
Have a nice weekend
Hartmut

The Weaver of Grass said...

Kate - that recipe sounds delicious but it is not that easy to find pumpins in UK shops once Hallowe'en is over. Shall try it next Hallowe'en though as it sounds delicious.

Mental P Mama said...

Lord. Have. Mercy.

Sue said...

Oh...I am off to the farmers market for some apples!! I bought but never made the pumpkin pie for thanksgiving so I have all the other ingrediants...This sounds wonderful and will be our dessert this weekend...Thanks for the perfect timing....

Tess Kincaid said...

What a great idea! It's combining the best of both pies. Yum-o!

brneyedgal967 said...

Oh this does look good - I love pumpkin and apples together. I will try this!!

Anonymous said...

Yum! Looks great! Love the leaf cut outs!

Jeannelle said...

Have never heard of such a thing.....apples in a pumpkin pie....but it sounds like it just might work. Your pie is beautiful; cute idea with the cut-outs on top for interest.

Jeannelle said...

Oh, and a second look shows me the cut-outs are also around the outside.....very cool.....I've never seen that done, either. You are something!

Deb said...

Looks good enough to eat! I'm back!! We are moved in...slowly but surely things are getting in order. I am so happy!

Anonymous said...

Well, I'm inviting you for dinner, bring this k?

Woman in a Window said...

I wanna like pumpkin, I really do. It just smells so good. But, but -

Anonymous said...

Oh, that sounds delicious!! Love the little leaves on top. Must look for those cookie cutters. I was just at William Sonoma yesterday. Love that store $$$.

Sue said...

Hi Kate...I just finished making the pie and it came wonderful...I cooked the apples a tad bit longer until they carmelized and the smell coming out of the kitchen is mesmerizing.....the husband thought combining pumpkin and apples in one pie was the best idea he's heard in a long time...

Shimmy Mom said...

That sounds soooo delicious. I'm going to try this one. (I'm not a huge fan of pumpkin pie either.)
I'm glad you had a good trip to the Big City. I still get a little jealous every time you post pics of New York.
*hugs*

My name is Christine said...

What a lovely idea=) My family loves pumkin pie... I had never thought to add anything else to it. Now I just have to try it! Thanks for sharing your recipe!

Daryl said...

I just c/p and sent it to my friend who hosts us all for Xmas dinner ... I said I was advocating her baking it but it did look YUM

Lets see if the ploy works

AND .. a new wine for you to try:
2006 Catena Malbec .. ohhhh my!

:-Daryl

Anonymous said...

I am growing pumpkins and have been looking for a good pumpkin pie recipe. This looks delicious. Thanks for sharing!

MedStudentWife said...

I love the way you did the crust :)

You have inspired me for all my future pies.

How did you do all those lovely cutouts ?

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