Harvest Apple Pie

Here’s another pie! Can you ever have enough pie? I think not. This one is filled with apples, cranberries, raisins, walnuts, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Fall time all wrapped in a flaky pastry!

4 granny smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
zest of 1 orange
1½ cups fresh cranberries
1 cup raisins
1/2  cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cup flour
3/4 cup brown sugar
1½ tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 Tbl butter, cut in chunks
Pie Pastry for double crust pie

Preheat oven to 400°. Line 9″ deep dish pie plate with half the pastry for bottom crust. In large bowl, stir together apples, orange zest, cranberries, raisins, and walnuts. Add flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Toss gently until all is well coated. Pour into prepared pie plate, dot with chunks of butter, roll out pastry for top crust, cover and crimp. Sprinkle liberally with sugar. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until apples are tender. Serve warm with vanilla or cinnamon ice cream!

One Year Ago: Pumpkin Cupcakes w/Chocolate Buttercream

Two Years Ago: Fresh Cranberry Cake w/Caramel Sauce

Three Years Ago: Favorite Stuffing for Thanksgiving

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Individual Coconut Custard Pies

Is it old fashioned to love custard? If it is, then call me old fashioned! I love custard, the texture, the flavor…add coconut, put it in a flaky pastry and it’s perfect! This recipe can be made into one 8″ or 9″ pie, I wanted to use my little individual pie plates I received from one of my daughters. The only problem I can see here is the guilt you feel when you realise you are only one individual who just ate two individual pies! Oops!

 

Single Pie Pastry recipe
1 cup half & half (can use milk)
1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
2 eggs, beaten
1 egg, separated
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup sugar
2 Tbl flour
pinch of salt
2 Tbl butter, melted, cooled
nutmeg

Preheat oven to 375°. Stir half & half and coconut together in large bowl, set aside. Roll out pastry, cut into six circles, fit into six individual pie plates, set on baking sheet, and set aside. Add the 2 beaten eggs plus the 1 egg yolk (will use the 1 egg white in a minute), and vanilla to the milk/coconut mixture, stir until combined. Stir in sugar, flour, salt, and cooled melted butter. Brush inside of each pastry shell with egg white. Distribute filling evenly into each of the six prepared pastries (approximately 1/2 cup). Sprinkle with nutmeg. Bake 20-25 minutes, until golden on top. Cool, then refrigerate. Serve with whipped cream if desired. *Can be made into one 8″ or 9″ pie.
Recipe comes from boymeetsbowl.

One Year Ago: Apple Pie Cupcakes

Two Years Ago: Peach Cobbler Cupcakes

Three Years Ago: Brownie Cookies

Double Coconut Cream Pie

I had the most delicious lunch today, the most coconuty coconut cream pie! Rich and creamy with lots of sweet chewy coconut. Dreamy! I do realize that most people would probably eat it for dessert, I’m just a little different. ;o)

1 (9 inch) deep dish pie shell, baked, pastry or graham cracker
2 (13.5 oz) cans coconut milk
4 1/2 Tbl cornstarch
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 cup sugar
4 egg yolks, beaten
2 Tbl butter
1½-2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

Combine coconut milk, cornstarch, salt, and sugar in large sauce pan. Heat to boiling over medium heat, whisking constantly. Add a small amount of hot coconut milk mixture to egg yolks to warm, and then add egg yolks to coconut milk mixture. Boil 1 minute stirring constantly till thick and smooth.  Remove from heat and stir in butter. Cool for about a half hour, stirring frequently. Stir coconut into lukewarm filling. Pour into baked pie shell, cover with piece of parchment or wax paper. Cool completely in refrigerator. Serve with whipped cream and toasted coconut.

One Year Ago: Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Muffins

Two Years Ago: Peanut Butter & Strawberry Jam Brownies

If you are interested in Demarle bakeware and kitchen tools such as Silpat & Perforated Baking Sheet please visit mydemarleathome.com/kristenparker or simply click on the Demarle at Home logo below.

 

Homemade Cinnamon Pop Tarts

It is a frosty cold morning and a warm cinnamon pastry sounds wonderful. But it’s January and we are supposed to be eating better because of the indulgences of the holidays, right? So this is my slimmed down, smaller version of a recipe at kingarthurflour.com. Please don’t compare these to the store bought version because of the words pop tarts, these are buttery and flaky. Let’s drop the pop and call them Homemade Cinnamon Tarts.

    

Pastry:
2 cups flour
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
4 Tbl cold butter, cut in pieces
1 egg, beaten, 1 Tbl reserved
3 Tbl water

Cinnamon Filling:
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp flour

Stir together flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Whisk together egg (minus 1 Tbl) and 2 Tbl water, mix into flour mixture. Add one more Tbl water if necessary to bring pastry together. Divide pastry in half. On well floured surface, roll each piece of pastry into a 8″x9″ rectangle (I have a ruler just for the kitchen, you can measure and cut the pastry with the ruler). Mark lines on one pastry piece for six rectangles, each 3″x4″ (see picture above).

Stir together filling ingredients, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Gently brush reserved egg over the pastry piece with marked lines, and put cinnamon filling in center of each 3″x4″ rectangle. Place second piece of pastry over the top. Use ruler to press and cut into six individual tarts. Press around edges with fork and prick the top to vent. Place on silpat or parchment lined baking sheet. Place in refrigerator for 15 minutes while preheating oven to 350°. Bake for 20 minutes, or until lightly golden. Cool on pan.

One Year Ago: Cinnamon Graham Pecan Muffins

Two Years Ago: Cheesy Rice & Bean Dip

Apple Pumpkin Crostata

You know me, if I have a little something sitting in my fridge or pantry the wheels start turning. Things don’t always turn out for the best, but you have to keep experimenting. I declare this a taste delight! This recipe comes from a little bit of pumpkin sitting in my fridge, add pastry and apple, and cross your fingers! It worked! So you say, Kristen, I don’t have just a quarter cup of pumpkin in my fridge, I would have to open a whole can. Well, here are some ideas to use up the rest of that pumpkin, click here: For the Love of Pumpkin.

Pastry:
2/3 cup flour
2 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup cold butter
2-3 Tbl ice water

Stir together flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in one tablespoon of water at a time with a fork until dough just barely comes together. Make into a disk (handling as little as possible), wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 20  minutes.

Apple Pumpkin Filling:
1/4 cup pumpkin
1/4 cup sugar
3 Tbl flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp allspice
1 large apple, peeled, cored, cut into small pieces

Preheat oven to 450°. Stir together pumpkin, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and allspice. Fold in apple. Roll out pastry on floured surface to an 11″ diameter circle. Transfer to silpat or parchment lined baking sheet. Gently spread filling in center of pastry leaving 1½”-2″ border around outside. Fold border up over filling pleating and pinching pleats gently together as you go around the circle. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts, cinnamon/sugar, and sparkling sugar if desired.

Bake at 450° for 10 minutes, turn down oven to 400° and continue baking for 10-15 minutes more. Remove when golden brown and apples are tender.

One Year Ago: Cheesy Herb Loaf

Two Years Ago: Eggnog Chocolate Chip Cake

If you are interested in Demarle bakeware and kitchen tools such as the Roul’Pat & Beechwood Rolling Pin or Silpat & Perforated Baking Sheet please visit mydemarleathome.com/kristenparker or simply click on the Demarle at Home logo below.

Mini Apple Pies

Two of my favorite people are coming for dinner, Mom and Dad. We are eating fairly light because after dinner we are going on a long walk. I do know that my parents would love a little something sweet after our meal, so here is a little something sweet!

Pastry:
1 cup flour
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup butter flavor shortening
3 Tbl ice water

Stir together flour, sugar, and salt.  Cut in the shortening.  Add 1 Tbl of water at a time, mixing with fork until dough holds together.  Make into a disc (handle as little as possible), wrap in plastic, and refrigerate at least 1/2 hour.

Apple Pie Filling:
1 large granny smith apple, peeled, cored, cut in mini chunks (about 1½ cups)
lemon juice
1/4 cup sugar
1 Tbl flour
1/8 tsp cinnamon
dash nutmeg

Preheat oven to 375°. Roll out pastry dough , cut out 8 rounds about 3½” in diameter. Gently fit down into mini muffin cups in mini muffin pan. Put tiny cut apple chunks in bowl and sprinkle with lemon juice, toss. Stir together sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sprinkle over apple chunks and toss to coat. Spoon apple filling into pastry cups. Gently pressing down to fill cups completely up to top. Cut out desired shape of pastry dough to place on top of each mini pie. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar or sugar crystals or both. Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden and filling is bubbling. Let cool in pan 10 minutes, remove and cool completely on cooling rack. Makes 8 mini pies.

One Year Ago: Mac & Cheese & More

If you are interested in Demarle bakeware such as the Mini Muffin Tray and Perforated Sheet please visit mydemarleathome.com/kristenparker or simply click on the Demarle at Home logo below.

Triple Chocolate Brownie Cream Pie

Because I am a self proclaimed chocoholic, this recipe I have made up to share with you should not be too surprising. Pie with a chocolate pastry crust, little brownie chunks folded into chocolate cream filling. It will surely fix a chocolate craving. I hope you try it!

 

Brownie Chunks:
1/2 cup butter, softened almost melted
1½ cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350°. By hand, mix butter and sugar. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Add flour, cocoa, and salt; mix well. Spread in sprayed 9″x9″ pan. Bake for 20 minutes. Cool and cut into small chunks.

Chocolate Pastry Crust:
3/4 cup + 1 Tbl flour
1 Tbl unsweetened cocoa
2 Tbl sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup shortening
2-3 Tbl ice water

Stir together flour, cocoa, sugar, and salt.  Cut in shortening.  Add 1 Tbl of water at a time, mixing with fork until dough holds together (I just needed 2 Tbl).  Make into a disc (handle as little as possible), wrap in plastic, and refrigerate at least 1/2 hour.  Preheat oven to 425°.  Roll out dough to about 12″ diameter circle, line 9″ deep dish pie plate, crimp edge, and prick bottom and sides with fork.  Gently line with sheet of foil, pour in pie weights (or beans) to keep crust from shrinking.  Bake at 425° for 10 minutes.  Remove from oven, gently pull out foil with weights, reduce heat to 350°, put back in oven and bake 10 minutes more.  Cool while making filling.

Chocolate Cream Filling:
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups milk
4 egg yolks
1 cup  semi sweet chocolate chips
2 Tbl butter
1 tsp vanilla

Combine sugar, cornstarch, and salt in heavy saucepan, whisk until combined.  In small bowl whisk together milk and egg yolks.  Add milk mixture to saucepan slowly, whisking until mixture is smooth.  Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until mixture starts to bubble and thicken, about 6-8 minutes.  Turn heat down to simmer and cook, whisking constantly, another minute more until thick.  Remove from heat, stir in chocolate chips, butter, and vanilla.  Beat several times while cooling to just warm. Fold brownie chunks into chocolate filling (reserve some little brownie chunks for garnish if desired). Pour into crust, cover with plastic wrap or wax paper.  Chill until cold and set throughout, at least 4 hours (I usually chill overnight). Serve with whipped cream and garnish with reserved brownie chunks.

One Year Ago Today: Soft Brown Sugar Cookies w/Browned Butter Frosting

Two Years Ago Today: Almond Poppyseed Bread w/Almond Glaze

If you are interested in Demarle bakeware and kitchen tools please visit mydemarleathome.com/kristenparker or simply click on the Demarle at Home logo below.

Personal Chicken Pot Pies

Perfect dinner on a cold winter’s night!

Pie Crust Pastry:
2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
2/3 cup shortening
6 Tbl ice water

Measure flour and salt into bowl. Cut shortening into flour. Add ice water 2 Tbl at a time, stirring into flour just until dough together. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate.

Creamy Chicken Vegetable Filling:
2/3 cup butter
1/2 cup chopped onion
2/3 cup flour
2½ cups chicken broth
1 cup milk
salt & pepper to taste
2 cups cubed or shredded cooked chicken
1 (4 oz) can green chopped chilies (optional)
1 (12 oz) bag frozen mixed vegetables (thawed)

Preheat oven to 425°. Stray four oven proof bowls or mugs (16 oz or 2 cups each) with non-stick spray. In large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, stir in onion and cook until tender. Stir in flour until well blended. Gradually stir in chicken broth and milk, stirring and heating until thickened. Salt and pepper to taste. Turn heat to low, stir in chicken, green chilies, and vegetables and cook for 2 minutes, turn off heat.

Remove pastry dough from refrigerator, divide into four pieces. Work with one piece at a time. On floured surface, cut off 1/4 of the piece of dough and save for top crust. Roll out the 3/4 piece to large circle, gently work down into prepared bowl or mug to cover inside. Repeat with remaining three pieces of dough. Spoon the chicken filling evenly between pastry lined bowls or mugs. Roll out each of the top pieces of dough and place over filling, pinch top crust to bottom crust to seal, and cut a couple slits in top crust to vent. Bake 25-30 minutes, let sit at least 5 minutes before serving. Careful, filling will be hot. Enjoy!

One Year Ago Today: Glazed Cinnamon Snack Cake

If you are interested in Demarle bakeware and kitchen tools such as the Roul’Pat & Beechwood Rolling Pin please visit mydemarleathome.com/kristenparker or simply click on the Demarle at Home logo below.

Apple Berry Pie

Apple, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries!  Yes, all that in one pie, and so delicious.  It is pretty easy, I used a bag of mixed frozen berries.  This is a new favorite!

                       

1 pastry for double crust pie
1 cup sugar
4 tsp dry instant tapioca (I used Kraft Minute Tapioca)
3 Tbl flour
½ tsp cinnamon
3 cups apple, peeled, cored, sliced
1 (12 oz) bag frozen mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, & raspberries)
2 Tbl butter, cut in small pieces

Preheat oven to 375°.  Line 9” deep dish pie pan with bottom crust.  In large bowl, mix sugar, tapioca, flour, and cinnamon.  Add apple and mixed berries, toss gently to coat.  Pour into pie pan, place butter pieces over filling, and cover with top crust.  Cut slits in top crust for venting.  Bake for 50-60 minutes, cover edges if necessary to prevent over-browning.

One Year Ago Today:  Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Surprise Cookies 

If you are interested in Demarle bakeware and kitchen tools please visit mydemarleathome.com/kristenparker or simply click on the Demarle at Home logo below.

Old Fashioned Raisin Pie

This is my dad’s favorite pie, maybe I should say one of my dad’s favorite pies. I think chocolate pie would rank high on the list also.  The filling for this pie is easy to make and has a rich caramel flavor and raisins, lots of raisins.

1 pastry for 9″ deep dish double crust pie
4 cups raisins
4 cups water
1 cup brown sugar
5 Tbl cornstarch
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp lemon juice
3 Tbl butter
1 tsp vanilla

Combine raisins and water in saucepan, bring to boil and cook for 5 minutes.  Blend brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and salt together, slowly stir into hot raisins.  Cook and stir until thick and syrup is clear.  Remove from heat, and stir in lemon juice, butter, and vanilla.  Cool slightly.

Preheat oven to 425°.  Line 9″ deep dish pie plate with bottom pastry.  Pour raisin filling into pastry.  Cover with top crust, seal, and cut a couple slits to vent.  Bake 30-35 minutes, cover with foil if necessary during baking if crust gets too brown.  Cool before serving.  Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

One Year Ago Today:  Sticky Pecan Muffins

If you are interested in Demarle bakeware & kitchen tools please visit mydemarleathome.com/kristenparker or simply click on the Demarle at Home logo below.