Blue Ribbon Apple Crumb Pie: A Step-by-Step Recipe for Apple Pie Perfection

Apple pie. The very words conjure up images of cozy kitchens, crisp autumn air, and the comforting aroma of cinnamon and baked apples. But not just any apple pie will do. We’re talking about *Blue Ribbon* apple pie – the kind that wins competitions, the kind that families request year after year, the kind that makes you close your eyes and savor every single bite. This isn’t your average apple pie; it’s a masterpiece. This recipe will guide you through each step, from creating a perfectly flaky crust to achieving that irresistible crumb topping. Get ready to bake a pie that will impress everyone who tastes it!

Why This Recipe Works

This Blue Ribbon Apple Crumb Pie recipe stands out for several reasons:

* **Perfectly Flaky Crust:** We use a combination of shortening and butter for a crust that’s both tender and flaky. The key is to keep the ingredients cold and avoid overworking the dough.
* **Flavorful Apple Filling:** A blend of tart and sweet apples, combined with warm spices, creates a perfectly balanced filling. The addition of lemon juice brightens the flavors and prevents the apples from browning.
* **Irresistible Crumb Topping:** A buttery, crumbly topping adds a delightful textural contrast to the smooth apple filling. We’ll show you how to achieve the perfect crumb consistency.
* **Detailed Instructions:** This recipe provides clear, step-by-step instructions, along with helpful tips and tricks, to ensure your success.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you begin, gather all your ingredients. This will make the baking process smoother and more enjoyable.

For the Pie Crust:

* 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
* ½ cup cold vegetable shortening, cut into cubes
* 6-8 tablespoons ice water

For the Apple Filling:

* 6-7 medium apples (a mix of tart and sweet varieties, such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Gala), peeled, cored, and sliced
* ½ cup granulated sugar
* ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
* ¼ cup all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
* ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
* 2 tablespoons lemon juice
* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

For the Crumb Topping:

* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* ½ cup packed light brown sugar
* ½ cup granulated sugar
* ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes

Equipment You’ll Need

* 9-inch pie plate
* Mixing bowls
* Pastry blender or food processor
* Plastic wrap
* Rolling pin
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Paring knife

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s get baking! Follow these detailed instructions to create your Blue Ribbon Apple Crumb Pie.

Part 1: Making the Pie Crust

1. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
2. **Cut in the Fat:** Add the cold butter and shortening to the flour mixture. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the fat into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. The butter pieces should be about the size of peas.
3. **Add Ice Water:** Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently after each addition. Continue adding water until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to add too much water, as this can make the crust tough.
4. **Form the Dough:** Divide the dough in half and flatten each half into a disc. Wrap each disc in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours).

Part 2: Preparing the Apple Filling

1. **Prepare the Apples:** Peel, core, and slice the apples into ¼-inch thick slices. Place the sliced apples in a large mixing bowl.
2. **Combine Filling Ingredients:** In a separate bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
3. **Coat the Apples:** Pour the sugar mixture over the apples and toss to coat. Add the lemon juice and toss again. Ensure the apples are evenly coated with the mixture.
4. **Let the Apples Sit:** Allow the apple mixture to sit for 15-20 minutes. This will allow the apples to release some of their juices, which will create a delicious sauce during baking.

Part 3: Making the Crumb Topping

1. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon.
2. **Cut in the Butter:** Add the cold butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. The mixture should be crumbly and slightly clumpy.
3. **Refrigerate (Optional):** For even better crumb texture, you can refrigerate the crumb topping for 15-20 minutes while you prepare the pie.

Part 4: Assembling the Pie

1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. **Roll Out the Crust:** On a lightly floured surface, roll out one of the dough discs into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer the dough to your pie plate. Trim and crimp the edges of the crust.
3. **Add the Filling:** Pour the apple filling into the pie crust. Dot the top of the filling with the small pieces of butter.
4. **Add the Crumb Topping:** Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the apple filling, ensuring the entire surface is covered.
5. **Bake:** Bake the pie for 45-55 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, you can cover the edges with aluminum foil.
6. **Cool:** Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving. This allows the filling to set and prevents it from being too runny.

Tips for Pie Perfection

* **Keep Ingredients Cold:** Cold ingredients are key to a flaky pie crust. Make sure your butter, shortening, and water are all very cold.
* **Don’t Overwork the Dough:** Overworking the dough will develop the gluten, resulting in a tough crust. Mix the dough until it just comes together, and avoid kneading it.
* **Use a Mix of Apples:** Using a mix of tart and sweet apples will create a more complex and flavorful filling.
* **Blind Bake the Crust (Optional):** If you prefer a crispier bottom crust, you can blind bake the crust before adding the filling. To do this, line the crust with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 15 minutes at 375°F (190°C), then remove the parchment paper and weights and bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until the crust is lightly golden.
* **Use an Oven Thermometer:** Oven temperatures can vary, so using an oven thermometer will ensure that your pie is baking at the correct temperature.
* **Let the Pie Cool Completely:** This is crucial for the filling to set properly. Be patient and resist the urge to slice into the pie while it’s still warm.
* **Prevent a Soggy Bottom Crust:** In addition to blind baking, you can also brush the bottom crust with a beaten egg white before adding the filling. This creates a barrier that prevents the filling from soaking into the crust.
* **Adjust Sweetness to Taste:** If you prefer a sweeter pie, you can add more sugar to the filling. Taste the apple mixture before adding it to the crust and adjust the sweetness as needed.
* **Add a Touch of Salt:** A pinch of salt in the filling and crumb topping will enhance the flavors and balance the sweetness.
* **Experiment with Spices:** Feel free to experiment with different spices in the filling and crumb topping. Cardamom, ginger, and cloves are all delicious additions.

Apple Variety Guide

Choosing the right apples is crucial for achieving the perfect apple pie. Here’s a guide to some popular apple varieties and their characteristics:

* **Granny Smith:** Tart and crisp, these apples hold their shape well during baking and add a refreshing tang to the pie.
* **Honeycrisp:** Sweet and juicy, Honeycrisp apples have a wonderfully crisp texture that makes them a favorite for eating fresh and baking.
* **Gala:** Mildly sweet and slightly crisp, Gala apples are a versatile choice that works well in pies and other baked goods.
* **Fuji:** Sweet and crisp, Fuji apples have a slightly floral flavor that complements the warm spices in the pie filling.
* **Braeburn:** Sweet-tart and firm, Braeburn apples hold their shape well during baking and have a complex flavor that adds depth to the pie.
* **Golden Delicious:** Sweet and mild, Golden Delicious apples are a good choice for those who prefer a sweeter pie.

For the best results, use a combination of tart and sweet apples. This will create a more balanced and flavorful filling.

Serving Suggestions

This Blue Ribbon Apple Crumb Pie is delicious on its own, but it’s even better with a few accompaniments:

* **Vanilla Ice Cream:** A scoop of vanilla ice cream is the classic pairing for apple pie. The cold ice cream complements the warm pie perfectly.
* **Whipped Cream:** A dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a touch of elegance to the pie.
* **Cheddar Cheese:** For a more traditional pairing, serve the pie with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese.
* **Caramel Sauce:** Drizzle a little caramel sauce over the pie for an extra touch of sweetness.
* **Spiced Nuts:** Sprinkle chopped spiced nuts over the pie for added crunch and flavor.

Storage Instructions

* **Room Temperature:** You can store the pie at room temperature for up to 2 days. Cover it loosely with plastic wrap or foil.
* **Refrigerator:** For longer storage, you can store the pie in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil.
* **Freezer:** To freeze the pie, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the pie in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Variations

* **Apple Cranberry Pie:** Add ½ cup of dried cranberries to the apple filling for a festive twist.
* **Apple Walnut Pie:** Add ½ cup of chopped walnuts to the crumb topping for added crunch and flavor.
* **Apple Caramel Pie:** Drizzle caramel sauce over the apples before adding the crumb topping.
* **Spiced Apple Pie:** Add a pinch of cardamom, ginger, or cloves to the apple filling for a warmer, spicier flavor.
* **Lattice Top Apple Pie:** Instead of a crumb topping, top the pie with a lattice crust for a more traditional look.

Troubleshooting

* **Soggy Bottom Crust:** Ensure your ingredients are cold, don’t overwork the dough, and blind bake the crust if necessary.
* **Burnt Crust:** Cover the edges of the crust with aluminum foil during the last 15-20 minutes of baking.
* **Runny Filling:** Make sure the pie cools completely before slicing, and use a thickening agent like flour or cornstarch in the filling.
* **Dry Filling:** Add more lemon juice or apple cider to the filling to add moisture.
* **Crumb Topping Too Dry:** Add a tablespoon or two of melted butter to the crumb topping to add moisture.

Conclusion

This Blue Ribbon Apple Crumb Pie recipe is your ticket to apple pie perfection. With its flaky crust, flavorful filling, and irresistible crumb topping, this pie is sure to impress. Follow these detailed instructions and helpful tips, and you’ll be baking award-winning apple pies in no time. Get ready to enjoy the taste of fall with every delicious bite!