Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl's Top 5 Apple Pie Recipes
Nothing says fall like that combination of apples, butter, and cinnamon, bubbling and baking away. I could talk for a million hours about the world of apple pies, and I'm sure you all have a favorite apple pie recipe of your own, but I wanted to give you all kinds of good ideas for filling your house and your life with those good apple pie smells and flavors. Here are my Top 5 Apple Pie recipes (and Apple Pie "cousins")!
(credit: http://thepioneerwoman.com/)
Apple Sauce
Recipe
You don't need much cooking know how to make applesauce. Just peel the apples, add a little water or apple cider, cinnamon, sugar if you need it—your house will smell like heaven. This is a great cooking project with kids, too. Use a crock pot on low and let it cook all day. The Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond has a beautiful pictorial if you are a visual learner.
(credit: Land 'O Lakes)
Apple Cobbler
Recipe
What's the easiest apple pie like thing? It's gotta be cobbler! Just a loose pie crust, like a biscuit and filling. Land O'Lakes has a perfect recipe. Simple and foolproof. If it's not fancy enough for you, add your own twist, like candied ginger or a little lemon zest.
(credit: BarefootContessa.com)
Apple Tart
Recipe
Frozen puff pastry makes this one a snap. I make this all the time. It is delicious and takes maybe 15 minutes to prepare, and another 30 to bake. But it looks spectacular, and tastes even better. She uses Calvados, but you can use rum, bourbon or anything you have that seems right.
(credit: cookingchanneltv.com)
Bobby Flay's Apple Oven Pancakes
Recipe
Apple oven pancakes are a classic. You brown the apples in a skillet with butter and cinnamon, then pour in the batter and let it puff. Why I love them? You can make all the elements in advance, have your friends over, pour some mimosas, then throw this apple oven-pancake in to cook. It's so easy and a show-stopper. I found a great video of Bobby Flay making them—of all people!
(credit: cookingchanneltv.com)
Apple pie
Recipe
What can you say. It's obviously the best possible thing to do with apples. Could I pick one best pie? Never. I love the old Silver Palate sour cream apple pie, with cheddar cheese in the crust—that little tang in the crust makes it irresistible (click here for recipe). But I also love a classic tarte tatin. I brown the apples in my cast-iron skillet, and finish with puff pastry, because the pastry just gets overwhelmed no matter what you do.
