Brown Bag Apple Pie: A Simple & Delicious Twist on a Classic
Apple pie is a quintessential American dessert, evoking feelings of warmth, comfort, and nostalgia. While traditional apple pie recipes are beloved, sometimes it’s fun to try a new spin on an old favorite. Enter the brown bag apple pie – a method that results in an incredibly flaky crust and a beautifully caramelized filling, all thanks to the unique environment created within a simple brown paper bag.
This method might sound unusual, but trust us, it’s a game-changer! Baking the pie inside a brown paper bag helps to regulate the oven’s heat, preventing the crust from burning while ensuring the apples cook through perfectly. The bag also traps steam, creating a moist environment that results in a tender and flaky crust. The result? An apple pie with a perfectly cooked filling, a golden-brown, flaky crust, and a slightly caramelized flavor that’s simply irresistible.
This recipe provides detailed instructions on how to bake an apple pie in a brown paper bag, along with tips and tricks for achieving the best results. So, grab your apples, dust off your rolling pin, and prepare to experience apple pie like never before!
Why Bake Apple Pie in a Brown Paper Bag?
The brown paper bag method offers several advantages over traditional baking:
* **Even Baking:** The bag helps to distribute heat evenly, preventing hot spots that can lead to a burnt crust or undercooked filling.
* **Moist Crust:** The trapped steam creates a moist environment, resulting in a tender and flaky crust.
* **Caramelized Flavor:** The bag encourages caramelization, enhancing the natural sweetness of the apples and adding a depth of flavor.
* **No Soggy Bottom:** The regulated heat prevents the dreaded soggy bottom crust.
* **Simple Clean-up:** The bag catches any drips, making cleanup a breeze.
The Perfect Brown Bag Apple Pie Recipe
This recipe is designed to be straightforward and easy to follow, even for novice bakers. It focuses on using simple ingredients and clear instructions to deliver a truly exceptional apple pie.
**Yields:** 8 servings
**Prep time:** 45 minutes
**Cook time:** 60-75 minutes
Ingredients:
**For the Crust:**
* 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
* ½ cup ice water
**For the Filling:**
* 6-8 medium apples (such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and sliced
* ¾ cup granulated sugar
* ¼ cup packed brown sugar
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
**Equipment:**
* 9-inch pie plate
* Large mixing bowl
* Pastry blender or food processor
* Rolling pin
* Large brown paper grocery bag (ensure it’s clean and free of ink or printing)
* Baking sheet
Instructions:
**1. Prepare the Pie Crust:**
* In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
* Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. The smaller the pieces of butter the flakier the crust will be. However, be careful not to overwork the dough. You want to see small pieces of butter.
* Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to add too much water; you want a dough that’s moist but not sticky.
* Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours). This allows the gluten to relax, making the dough easier to roll out.
**2. Prepare the Apple Filling:**
* In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and butter pieces. Toss gently to ensure the apples are evenly coated. The flour will help thicken the juices as the pie bakes, preventing a watery filling. The lemon juice adds brightness and prevents the apples from browning too quickly.
**3. Assemble the Pie:**
* Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
* On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer the dough to the pie plate, gently pressing it into the bottom and up the sides. Trim any excess dough and crimp the edges to create a decorative border. A fork can also be used to crimp the sides of the piecrust.
* Pour the apple filling into the prepared pie crust, mounding it slightly in the center.
* Roll out the second disc of dough into a 12-inch circle. Cut slits in the dough to allow steam to escape during baking. This will prevent the crust from puffing up too much.
* Carefully place the top crust over the apple filling. Trim any excess dough and crimp the edges to seal the top and bottom crusts together. Alternatively, you can create a lattice crust by cutting the dough into strips and weaving them over the filling.
**4. Prepare the Brown Paper Bag:**
* Make sure the brown paper bag is clean and free of any ink or printing. A standard-sized grocery bag works well. Avoid bags with holes or tears.
* Place the pie inside the brown paper bag.
* Fold the top of the bag over to seal it, creating a closed environment for baking. You can use a stapler or paper clips to secure the fold, if desired. However, ensure the staples or clips don’t come into contact with the pie.
**5. Bake the Pie:**
* Place the brown bag-encased pie on a baking sheet. This will catch any drips and make it easier to transfer the pie in and out of the oven.
* Bake in the preheated oven for 60-75 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. The exact baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep a close eye on the pie.
* If the bag starts to brown too quickly, you can reduce the oven temperature slightly.
**6. Cool and Serve:**
* Carefully remove the pie from the oven and let it cool completely in the bag on a wire rack before slicing and serving. This allows the filling to set and prevents the crust from becoming soggy. It’s tempting to cut into the pie while it’s still warm, but patience is key for the best results.
* Once cooled, carefully remove the pie from the bag. Be cautious, as there may be some condensation inside the bag.
* Serve the apple pie warm or at room temperature, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Brown Bag Apple Pie:
* **Use Cold Ingredients:** Cold butter and ice water are crucial for creating a flaky crust. The cold butter creates steam as it bakes, which separates the layers of dough and results in a tender, flaky texture.
* **Don’t Overwork the Dough:** Overworking the dough develops the gluten, resulting in a tough crust. Mix the dough just until it comes together, and avoid kneading it.
* **Chill the Dough:** Chilling the dough allows the gluten to relax, making it easier to roll out and preventing it from shrinking during baking.
* **Use a Mix of Apples:** Using a combination of sweet and tart apples will create a more complex and flavorful filling. Granny Smith apples provide tartness, while Honeycrisp or Fuji apples add sweetness.
* **Adjust Sweetness to Taste:** If you prefer a sweeter pie, you can increase the amount of sugar in the filling. Taste the apple mixture before adding it to the crust and adjust the sugar as needed.
* **Add Spices:** Experiment with different spices to customize the flavor of your apple pie. Cardamom, ginger, or allspice can add a unique twist.
* **Seal the Crust Properly:** Ensure the top and bottom crusts are properly sealed to prevent the filling from leaking out during baking. Crimp the edges tightly or use a fork to press them together.
* **Use a Clean Brown Paper Bag:** It’s important to use a clean, unused brown paper bag that is free of any ink or printing. Ink can leach into the pie during baking and affect the flavor.
* **Monitor the Baking Process:** Keep a close eye on the pie while it’s baking, and adjust the oven temperature if necessary. If the bag starts to brown too quickly, reduce the temperature slightly.
* **Let the Pie Cool Completely:** Allowing the pie to cool completely before slicing will prevent the filling from running and ensure the crust stays crisp.
Variations on the Brown Bag Apple Pie:
* **Caramel Apple Pie:** Add a layer of caramel sauce to the bottom of the crust before adding the apple filling.
* **Cranberry Apple Pie:** Mix in some fresh or frozen cranberries with the apple filling for a festive twist.
* **Apple Crumble Pie:** Instead of a top crust, sprinkle a crumble topping over the apple filling. A simple crumble can be made with flour, butter, sugar, and oats.
* **Dutch Apple Pie:** Top the apple filling with a streusel topping made from flour, butter, sugar, and nuts.
* **Apple Pie with Cheese:** Serve the warm apple pie with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese. The combination of sweet and savory is surprisingly delicious.
Troubleshooting Tips:
* **Crust is too tough:** You may have overworked the dough. Be sure to mix the dough just until it comes together, and avoid kneading it. Also, ensure you’re using cold ingredients.
* **Crust is soggy:** The filling may have been too watery. Be sure to use enough flour in the filling to thicken the juices, and let the pie cool completely before slicing.
* **Crust is burnt:** The oven temperature may have been too high, or the bag may have been too close to the heating element. Reduce the oven temperature or move the pie to a lower rack.
* **Filling is too tart:** Add more sugar to the filling. Taste the apple mixture before adding it to the crust and adjust the sugar as needed.
* **Filling is too bland:** Add more spices to the filling. Cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, or allspice can add depth of flavor.
Serving Suggestions:
* **Vanilla Ice Cream:** A classic pairing that complements the warm apple pie perfectly.
* **Whipped Cream:** Light and airy, whipped cream adds a touch of elegance.
* **Caramel Sauce:** A drizzle of caramel sauce enhances the sweetness and adds a rich, decadent flavor.
* **Cheddar Cheese:** A slice of sharp cheddar cheese provides a savory counterpoint to the sweet apple filling.
* **Warm Custard:** A creamy custard sauce is a comforting and indulgent addition.
* **Coffee or Tea:** A warm beverage is the perfect accompaniment to a slice of apple pie.
Baking apple pie in a brown paper bag is a simple yet effective way to achieve a perfectly cooked pie with a flaky crust and a beautifully caramelized filling. This recipe provides all the information you need to create a truly exceptional dessert that’s sure to impress your family and friends. So, go ahead and give it a try – you might just discover your new favorite way to bake apple pie!