Super Apple Pie

Alton Brown

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2008

Show: Good EatsEpisode: Apple of My Pie

Picture of Super Apple Pie Recipe 1 Video | Photo: Super Apple Pie Recipe
Rated 5 stars out of 5
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  • Read 182 Reviews
Total Time:
7 hr 45 min
Prep
1 hr 0 min
Inactive
6 hr 0 min
Cook
45 min
Yield:
10 servings
Level:
Intermediate
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Ingredients

For the crust:

  • 6 ounces unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 2 ounces vegetable shortening, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 5 to 7 tablespoons applejack
  • 12 ounces all-purpose flour, approximately 2 3/4 cups, plus extra for dusting
  • 1 teaspoon table salt
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

For the filling:

  • 3 to 3 1/2 pounds apples, mixture of Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn and Golden Delicious, about 6 large apples
  • 1/2 cup sugar, divided
  • 3 tablespoons tapioca flour
  • 2 tablespoons apple jelly
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider
  • 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground grains of paradise

Directions

For the crust:

Place the butter, shortening and applejack into the refrigerator for 1 hour.

In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, salt and sugar by pulsing 3 to 4 times. Add the butter and pulse 5 to 6 times until the texture looks mealy. Add the shortening and pulse another 3 to 4 times until incorporated.

Remove the lid of the food processor and sprinkle in 5 tablespoons of the applejack. Replace the lid and pulse 5 times. Add more applejack as needed, and pulse again until the mixture holds together when squeezed. Weigh the dough and divide in half. Shape each half into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to overnight.

For the filling:

Peel and core the apples. Slice into 1/2-inch thick wedges. Toss all of the apples with 1/4 cup of the sugar, place in a colander set over a large bowl and allow to drain for 1 1/2 hours.

Transfer the drained liquid to a small saucepan, place over medium heat and reduce to 2 tablespoons. Set aside to cool. Toss the apples with the remaining sugar, tapioca flour, jelly, cider, lime juice, salt and grains of paradise.

For assembling and baking the pie:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Remove one disk of dough from the refrigerator. Place the dough onto a lightly floured piece of waxed paper. Lightly sprinkle the top of the dough with flour and roll out into a 12-inch circle. Place into a 9 1/2 to 10-inch tart pan that is 2-inches deep. Gently press the dough into the sides of the pan, crimping and trimming the edges as necessary. Set a pie bird in the center of the bottom of the pan.

Place the apples into the unbaked pie shell in concentric circles starting around the edges, working towards the center and forming a slight mound in the center of the pie. Pour over any liquid that remains in the bowl. Roll out the second pie dough as the first. Place this dough over the apples, pressing the pie bird through the top crust. Press together the edges of the dough around the rim of the pie. Brush the top crust with the reduced juice everywhere except around the edge of pie. Trim any excess dough. Place the pie on a half sheet pan lined with parchment paper and bake on the floor** of the oven for 30 minutes. Transfer to the lower rack of the oven and continue to bake another 20 minutes or until the apples are cooked through but not mushy. Remove to a rack and cool a minimum of 4 hours or until almost room temperature.

**If you're using an electric oven with coils on the bottom of the oven, place the pie on the sheet pan on the lowest rack over the coils, NOT directly on top of them.

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Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 182 reviews

  • on January 15, 2012

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    What a disappointment! I spent so much money on the ingredients for this pie...the Apple Jack, 10" pan, pie bird, tapioca flour, and grains of paradise. I had to get most of it online. This apple pie wasn't any better than the basic recipe I've used for years. Beware that the glaze on the top crust burns quickly. I had to use a knife to get it off, so now the pie looks so messy. I usually think Alton's recipes are great, but NOT THIS ONE! I made it exactly as stated.

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  • on January 05, 2012

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    Really bugs me people asking questions that the answers are obvious! "What's the little birdie in the pie for?" Watch the episode people! Or even the video on this very website! jeesh!

    With that said, the pie is amazing! Crust is incredible and the apples are the star of the show, as they should be! As far as having to go on a "scavenger hunt" to find some of the the ingredients? That's all part of the fun!

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  • on January 04, 2012

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    We made this for Thanksgiving and it was one of the best apple pies I have ever had. After eating this, I couldn't eat any other apple pies ever again.

    people found this review Helpful.
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