Heavenly Delight Apple Pie

There was nothing around our house that was more traditional than Apple Pie, and we certainly wouldn't have thought of having a Thanksgiving celebration without a piece of mom's Heavenly Delight Apple Pie.

Dough for Crust

1 cup flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
⅓ to ½ cup of butter flavored shortening
¼ cup ice cold milk

For best results, make sure that all ingredients are cold. With fork, blend together flour and enough shortening to make mixture look like peas. Sprinkle enough milk over the pea-shaped particles to dampen entire mixture. Press dough together firmly and place onto a floured surface. Lightly flour rolling pin; divide dough into two equal parts. Roll each part to desired thickness, usually about 1/8" thick. If dough starts to stick to surface, lift dough, and flour surface again. Fit lower crust loosely over pie plate.

Heavenly Delight Apple Pie Filling

Into a large mixing bowl:

Peel, core and slice into very thin slices 5 to 6 apples (Use a firm, tart apple)

¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ pecan nut pieces

Blend and set aside.

In small sauce pan:

¼ cup butter/margarine
½ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon honey

Over low heat, stirring until blended and melted, then pour over, and mix with mixture in large mixing bowl. Blend everything together well, and put into prepared pie plate.

After filling is put into bottom crust; moisten edge of crust with egg white or water. Fold upper crust over pie mixture, pressing edges together with a fork or pinch together with fingers. Trim extra pastry off edge of pie; making it smooth and round. Make slits in top crust to vent steam from filling when baking.

Bake pie in 450º oven for 10 minutes, then turn oven temperature down to 350º for another 20 to 30 minutes depending on thickness of apple slices.

Baker's Secret: There are times when it is next to impossible to find the firm, tart apples that it takes for excellent tasting apple pie. Try using half apples and half green tomatoes. You will be amazed at the flavor; it is just like a tart apple pie - really good. The nice thing is, nobody ever knows, unless you tell them.