Sunday, May 15, 2011

Individual Apple and Cherry Pies

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Since we’ve moved to North Carolina we’ve had only family visit.  This past week was our first visit from friends.  Rob’s best friend Rob, who’s married to Karen (pause, pause, pause) Yes we are Karen and Rob and Karen and Rob LOL

My friend Karen, married to Doyle (we use their last names to not get confused) set Rob and I up.  So forever we blame them for everything … and thank them for everything!

They were down for a family wedding and decided to come an extra two hours down the road for a visit.  They rock!IMGP6869

When they arrived Thursday they got to partake in last week’s treat, Chocolate Lush.  But what to make for dessert on Friday when we smoked a pork shoulder (like the one I posted about previously)???  Doyle told me to buy something at the grocery store but you know I could never do that.  Many suggestions were bantered about from peach cobbler to apple pie, however when we were in the Williams Sonoma store (where I bought two cookbooks) I found their cherry pie filling. Rob’s absolute favourite filling.  Normally I’d make my own but cherries are not in season and one thing Williams Sonoma does well, is their prepared food.  They tried to sell me the pie crust too, but that I know I can do very well.  The cherries were a bit pricey which usually indicates how it would taste; at least I hoped!

On the way home from the store I told Rob that I got a surprise for dessert and he asked if it was Lemon Meringue pie, so if you’re counting that was the third pie type request.  I was at least on the right track ;)

As I’m not a fan of cherries, I didn’t want to make a full pie.  So I decided to make individual pies and that way I could make apple for me.

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Pie crust:

  • 2 1/2 cups flour
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter cold
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 to 2/3 cup cold water
  1. In food processor pulse flour, sugar, salt and butter until it looks like dry oatmeal
  2. Slowly add the cold water until it forms into a ball.  Do not over pulse in mixer as it will make the crust chewy.  Depending on where you live your water amount will change.  Start with 1/2 cup and continue to add until the dough becomes a ball.
  3. Take out of processor and on floured surface, kneed just until fully combined and not sticky.
  4. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 1/2 hour
  5. Take out and roll out until desired thickness (I like it a little thicker), put into pie plate or individual ramekins.

Apple Filling:

  • 8-10 small applies ( I used Gala) but whatever your preference
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar (how sweet do you like it)
  • 1-2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • pinch of nutmeg
  • lemon juice
  • pinch of flour (optional)
  1. Cut apples into thin slices or small cubes
  2. Mix in sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, flour and lemon juice
  3. let stand, make dough

For individual pies, have the pie dough over hang the ramekins.  Divide the apple mixture into the individual pie’s and fold over the dough to form the top of the crust.  Brush with egg wash, sprinkle with sugar.  Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

When cherries are in season, I’ll do a post on the best cherry pie ever.  At least that’s what Rob tells me :)

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Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the pies including Abby and Rowan.  Abby was all about the cherry where Rowan wanted apple.  Thumbs up from the girls always makes it worthwhile!

Thanks for looking!



Linked to:
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Make a Food-E Friend
Mingle Monday's @ Add a Pinch
Muffin Monday
Mangia Mondays
Mouthwatering Mondays
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14 comments:

  1. This is so yummy! And I'm happy you linked up 2 posts :) Keep them coming. Really appreciate you sharing this great post with us at the Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop.

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  2. Ooh, great idea! Helps with portion control too ;) Those look so yummy! Stopped by from the Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop :)

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  3. What could be better than your own little perfect little pie! These must have been delicious (I love using royal gala apples)

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  4. Wow! These look so good! What a great dessert! Thanks for adding this recipe to Melt in Your Mouth Monday!

    Don't forget to link back to my Blog Hop! :)

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  5. These look so tasty! I'm not sure I could stop at one! Thanks so much for linking up at Muffin Monday! Have a great week! Hope to see you again next week!

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  6. These look so amazing! My next project is pies, I'll definitely try these!!

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  7. ooooh - I want some pie! These are the perfect size - they look so yummy!

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  8. Looks delicious. I love baking in individual ramekins. Especially in warm weather,so I can cover and drop in a basket and head out to the park with the kids. Thank you for sharing.

    Liz

    www.fresh-plate.blogspot.com

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  9. Looks delicious! I have been expanding my baking horizon and would love to try these.

    Carrie from http://carriewimbish.blogspot.com/

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  10. I always enjoy dessert in individual cups and this one looks so easy and perfect :) LOL on Karen and Rob!
    Thanks for sharing it with hearth and soul hop!

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  11. My husband loves cherry pie and I love apple pie. I love this idea! Please post your cherry pie recipe soon! I would love to make these soon.

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  12. Hey, by the way, I was wondering if you could link back to Tuesday's Tasty Tidbits. Love having your great blog at the party! thanks a bunch.

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  13. Your pies look so yummy!!!! They made the To Do List this week! Feel free to stop by and grab a button! Can't wait to see what you share next!

    Smiles!
    Jami

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  14. I used this crust for a tart I made yesterday, wow! It was really good, thanks for sharing.

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