Apple Pie for a President
Without getting into politics, I think it’s safe to say that at least one of our presidents — Abraham Lincoln — is and has been held in high regard for over a century and a half.
So, in his honor, in commemoration of President’s Day (February 19, 2024), I offer my Mom’s recipe for Lincoln’s favorite dessert: Apple Pie.
MOM’S APPLE PIE
CRUST:
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into chunks
1/3 cup cold vegetable shortening
4-5 tablespoons liquid (water, milk, yogurt, juice, etc.)
Combine the flour, sugar and salt in a bowl. Add the butter and shortening and work the fats into the flour using your fingers or a pastry blender (or pulse in a food processor). Add the minimum quantity of liquid and work into the ingredients to form a dough, using the remaining liquid if necessary (or pulse in the food processor until a ball of dough forms). Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let rest for at least 30 minutes before rolling. Makes enough for a 2-crust 9 or 10-inch pie
APPLE PIE FILLING
3 pounds pie apples, peeled, cored and sliced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon butter, cut into pieces
2 tablespoons milk, optional
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the apples in a large mixing bowl and sprinkle with the lemon juice. Add the sugar, cinnamon and flour and toss the ingredients to mix them evenly. Roll out half the dough and fit into a 9 or 10-inch pie pan, leaving an excess overhanging the edge. Spoon the filling into the pan. Dot the apples with the bits of butter. Roll out the remaining dough and place it on top of the apple filling. Gather the top and bottom crusts at the edge of the pan and either press them with a fork to seal them together, or roll them slightly and press down to seal the edges, then flute the edge using your index finger and thumb. Cut holes in the dough using the tip of a sharp knife. Brush the surface of the top with the milk, if you like a darker crust. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
Makes 8 servings