Tailgate Apple Pies Recipes

CLASSIC APPLE PIE

Steps:

• Peel and core the apples; slice 1/4 inch thick. Transfer to a bowl and toss with the granulated sugar and lemon juice. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the apples and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 12 to 15 minutes. Add the flour, cinnamon and salt and stir until the juices thicken, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool completely. (The filling can be made up to 2 days ahead; cover and refrigerate.)
• Roll out 1 disk of dough into a 12-inch round on a lightly floured surface. Ease into a 9-inch pie plate. Add the cooled filling and dot with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter.
• Roll out the remaining disk of dough into a 12-inch round. Lay the dough over the filling and press the two crusts together around the edges. Fold the overhanging dough under itself and crimp with your fingers. Brush the top crust with the beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Cut a few slits in the top crust to let steam escape. Chill 1 hour.
• Put a baking sheet on the bottom oven rack and preheat to 425 degrees F for at least 30 minutes. Put the pie directly on the hot baking sheet and reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F; bake until the pie is golden and the filling is bubbly, 1 hour to 1 hour, 10 minutes, rotating the pie as needed. (Cover the edges with foil if they are browning too quickly.) Transfer to a rack and let cool until the filling is set, about 3 hours.
• Pulse the flour, shortening, sugar, vinegar and salt in a food processor until it looks like fine meal. Add the butter and pulse until it is in pea-size pieces. Sprinkle in 1/4 cup ice water and pulse until the dough begins to come together. Pinch the dough with your fingers; if it doesn't hold together, add up to 4 more tablespoons ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and pulse again.
• Divide the dough between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and pat each into a disk. Wrap tightly and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or preferably overnight, or freeze up to 2 months.

APPLE AND BLUEBERRY HAND PIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Thaw the sheets of puff pastry as per the box instructions.
• Peel and core the apples and cut into quarters. Toss the apples in the lemon juice so they do not brown while you are dicing them. Cut each quarter into about 2 to 3 (1-inch) pieces.
• In a large saute pan over medium heat, melt the butter until lightly browned. Add the apples and saute for about 3 to 5 minutes until lightly browned. Add the honey and a pinch of salt and toss to mix in well, transfer to the oven and roast for about 15 minutes until apples are soft. Mash with a fork while still warm. Let the apples cool to room temperature and gently fold in the berries.
• Turn the oven down to 400 degrees F.
• In a small mixing bowl beat 1 egg. In another small bowl, mix together the cinnamon and sugar.
• Lay the thawed puff pastry sheets out flat on a floured work surface. Cut large circles out of the pastry with a ring cutter, about 4 per pastry sheet. Brush with the egg-wash on the outer edge of half of the circle. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the apple berry mixture in the center of each round of pastry dough. Fold the dough over to cover the filling, making a semi-circle and sealing the edges.
• Place pies on a buttered oven tray. Repeat with the rest of the pastry dough. When all of the pies are on a sheet tray cut air holes in the top of each pie and brush the tops with egg wash. Sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar. Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes until puffed and nicely browned.

HAND-HELD APPLE PIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to butter mixture until well blended. Divide dough in half. Shape each into a ball, then flatten into a disk. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour., Combine the sugar, cinnamon and allspice; set aside. Divide each portion of dough into 12 balls. On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball into a 4-in. circle. Place a tablespoonful of chopped apples on one side. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon sugar mixture; dot with 1/4 teaspoon butter., In a small bowl, whisk egg yolk and water. Brush edges of pastry with egg wash; fold pastry over filling and seal edges well with a fork. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Brush remaining egg wash over tops. Cut slits in pastry. Sprinkle with coarse sugar and cinnamon-sugar., Bake at 425° for 11-14 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool.

TAILGATE APPLE PIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in butter and shortening until crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough holds together when pressed. Divide dough in half; form each into a disk. Wrap separately in plastic wrap; refrigerate 1 hour or until easy to handle., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Add apples; cook and stir 5 minutes. Mix brown sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon; add to apples. Cook and stir until apples begin to soften and caramelize, 7-8 minutes longer. Remove from heat; stir in lemon juice and vanilla. Cool completely., Preheat oven to 400°. On a lightly floured surface, roll one portion of dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut 12 footballs with a floured 4-in. football-shaped cookie cutter., Transfer half of the footballs to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spoon about 2 tablespoons filling onto center of each. Brush edges of pastry with egg. Top with remaining footballs; press edges with a fork to seal. Cut three slits in top of pastry and score a curved line on each end of the footballs. Brush tops with egg; sprinkle with coarse sugar., Bake until golden brown, 15-20 minutes. While pies are baking, repeat with remaining dough and filling. , Let pies stand 5 minutes before removing to wire racks. Serve warm or at room temperature.