We all have something that our mother makes that we cannot get enough of. That we beg for when visiting home, that we have no desire to learn how to make it because we prefer it when Mom makes it for us. The most comforting of comfort food.
For me that is this pie.
Year round, in any weather, for any occasion, with any meal (including breakfast), this pie makes my day. Which is kind of odd because I am not much of a pie person and I generally prefer chocolate, lemon or cheese desserts. Yet I cannot fathom a world in which I got tired of this pie.
But I still don’t really want to make it. Having said that, she won’t always be able to make it for me, so while my mom was visiting this week, I asked her make her apple pie with me (for me) for my Family Recipes post. Since I really should have an idea of how to make it. For the future.
Alex helped her (isn’t this a great shot?) and I figured wouldn’t it be great if my mom makes this pie for me until my daughter is old enough to take over, and I can just beg people for this pie for the rest of my life? Everyone should get to have one dish that they love but never make themselves. Or at least that is what I think. But just in case Alex does not want to, I guess it is good I learn also.
This is a pie that it is best to let sit until totally cool before you slice it. If you get impatient, no big deal, but the the center will be
somewhat runny, as you can see to the left. Of course, as you can see to the right, it will taste just fine. Speaking of the runniness, I am kinda sad this pie did not photograph better–I just cannot express enough how incredibly good it is.
This is my submission to July’s Family Recipes, hosted by HoneyB over at The Life & Loves of Grumpy’s Honeybunch. Even though my mom made and typed this, not me, it is still exactly what I think this event is all about. Discovering, celebrating, and enjoying those recipes that bind a family together. You have until, well, this Saturday at midnight (yes I am late again) to send a submission over to HoneyB.
Here is the recipe, in my mom’s words (she even typed it–my notes are italicized):
sour cream crumble top apple pie
recipe by susan t.
crust:
1 1/2 C all purpose flour
1/3 C lard (we used unprocessed, roasty tasting lard and it was fabulous)
1/4 C butter (we used unsalted)
1 teas. salt
1 T sugar
about 5 T cold water
The crust pressed into the pie pan while my mom crimped the edges, shifting scraps to scarce spots.
filling:
10-12 cooking apples, peeled, cored, & pared (we used very small apples–use common sense and if it looks like the filling is getting full of apples <i.e., the=”” liquid=”” to=”” apple=”” ration=””> it probably is</i.e.,>)
1 16 0z. container sour cream
1 teas. cinnamon
1/2 teas. nutmeg
1/2 teas. salt
3 T flour
1 1/2 C sugar
The sour cream-apple filling in the unbaked pie shell.
topping:
1/2 C cold butter
1 cup flour
1/2 C packed brown suger
1 teas cinnamon
dash salt
1/2 C ground pecans
whisk flour and sugar together. cut butter into the flour-sugar mixture. stir in spice & nuts. sprinkle over top of pie.
bake at 350 for at least an hour. ( Mom says it usually takes longer than an hour. The filling should be bubbling, the crust and topping should be browned. She feels, unlike most baking, that with pies underbaking is more of a problem as the center sometimes does not bake through)
Finishing the crumble topping before putting the pie in the oven.
Yum! I must say that I am a pie lover…maybe because it makes me think of Holidays, Family…all that fun stuff! I love the picture with Alex! I just finished decorating a cake for Sunday…wish you guys could come!
I am with you on pies in general, but it so happens that my MIL is a big pie-baker, so I get my fill anyway. Here's to pies made by other people! (Not to mention your mom's special apples!)
Oh! I have tons of things I only eat if mom makes them. Lovely crust – Alex seems to be getting ready to take over pie making, so I guess you don't really have to learn 🙂
I'm a big fan of all things apple crumble and I'd be very happy for your Mom to make some of this for me too!
Sounds delicious…and I know exactly what you mean. My mother has one dish that I have never made myself because I prefer to have my mom make it!….would you believe that dis is scrambled tofu!?!
I love my Mum's trifle. It's the best trifle in the world. My efforts don't even come close.
I love apples and sour cream, it's such a lovely combination!!!
No one makes me fabulous pie! I'm really feeling picked on now! It sounds amazing!
I love it. Any crumble is for me! I mean slice it up and pass a slice with some black coffee!
This looks wonderful! It was great of your mom to come and make it with you.
I totally get why you love this pie (no brainer on why you don't want to make it, never the same when you do)! Crust, yum, sour cream, yum, that topping even YUMMIER! Oh, yeah and some apples. 🙂
That photo of your mom's and daughter's hands is just the sweetest! 🙂
~ingrid
I guess I should suck it up and have my mom teach me to make her 7 layer bars
Laura,
I love reading about these recipes. Thank you so much for posting them.
aw, laura, what a great post! there are many, many things that i prefer my mom to make for me. 🙂 it's a phenomenal pie, i can tell, and i love the shot of the working hands. excellent.
I love crunchy streusel topping on top of just about anything, including pie!
Laura, this pie looks (and sounds) wonderful! I may like apple pie yet. 😀
This pie looks pretty amazing! Thanks for leaving the link. It sounds absolutely delightful. I am a fan of anything with a crumble top or anything where sour cream is a main ingredient.