Apple Brandy Pie

This Apple Brandy Pie is a sort of 'hearth and home' mix of sweet and tart with warm notes of brandy baked into a flaky and buttery crust. The end result is, in my opinion, an Autumn classic.

For added fall flare, consider pairing this with a Pumpkin Spice Caramel Latte, or a Pumpkin Spice Buttered Rum.  For a super simple Homemade Pumpkin Spice, so that you can add the beloved flavor of fall to 'everything,'  It couldn't be easier!

Below, we'll cover all of the ingredients you'll need for today's apple brandy pie, along with notes and tips, and some key substitutions.  I'll also try to answer some of the most common pie-baking questions I've encountered.

Now, without further delay, let's get to it.

Ingredient Checklist and Notes

• Apples.  It's said that best apples for baking are Granny Smith, and this is simply because they are so firm.  So firm, in fact, that they will retain their shape and texture under almost any amount of baking.  And that's good thing, since no one wants a mushy pie.  That said, this ideal baking texture comes at a price, and that price is sweetness, as Granny Smith apples are fairly tart.  And that's why Honey Crisp are generally considered the 'next best' apples for baking.  Though not quite as firm as Granny Smith, they are markedly sweeter and are generally 'firm enough' for baking.  So, which to use?  The choice is truly a matter of preference.  However, due note that sweetness can be altered with added sugar, but once a pie is 'mushy,' there's no fixing it.
• Flour. All-purpose flour is probably best for today's crust.  Bread flour would result in a 'hard' and 'dense' crust, while baking flour would result in a crumbly crust that fails to keep its form through cooking.

• Butter.  As usual, I highly recommend using unsalted butter for the purposes of today's recipe.
• Sugar. Simple granulated sugar is what you're looking for.
• Brown Sugar. I'm using dark brown sugar because it has more of that 'molasses flavor' that we're looking for.
• Cinnamon.  Ubiquitous and beloved, if ever one spice 'tastes like Autumn,' this is the one.  Cinnamon gives the pie a nice warming and earthy flavor, and just a hint of background sweetness.
• Lemon Juice. As in all cases, fresher is better, so opt for fresh lemon juice if you happen to have some lemons on hand.  Bottled will work fine, but I do suggest fresh.
• Lemon Zest.  For an extra 'hint' of lemon flavor, just be sure to rinse the lemon before zesting.

Substitutions

• The Crust Itself.  In all honesty, you can make a perfectly delicious homemade pit with a store-bought crust.  As such, don't feel pressured to go through the fuss of making the crust from scratch if you truly don't want to.
• Butter.  For crusts, there are several substitutes.  First up is shortening, and this is probably the best. This substitutes at a one-to-one ratio. Next is Lard.  Yes, lard.  This is a tricky one, as flavor, texture, and moisture varies wildly from brand to brand depending on how the lard was sourced.  Again, this substitutes at a one-to-one ratio.  I would suggest adding in a few pinches of sugar, otherwise you'll end up with a slightly savory crust.  Finally, coconut oil, though I would strongly suggest using this in its 'solid' form, perhaps even chilling it in the fridge if necessary.  In its solid form, coconut oil substitutes at a roughly one-to-one ratio. 
• The Brandy.  Rum, or your favorite whiskey, would work deliciously in this recipe in place of the brandy.
• Brown Sugar Substitutes.  There are a couple of 'okay' substitutes.  The best substitute is molasses.  Simply mix a teaspoon of molasses with a quarter of a cup of white sugar, and use that in place of the brown sugar.  The next best substitute is maple syrup.  Mix a teaspoon of maple syrup mixed with a quarter of a cup of white sugar.  In both cases, stir until combined, and then use that in place of the brown sugar.  Coconut sugar is also a decent substitute for brown sugar.  Use that at a one to one ratio.

Top Six Tips For Baking a Pie

• What apple to use, really?  Rather than stressing over which apple is best, my advice is to use a combination of apples. Ideally a mix of firmer, though tarter, apples, along with some sweeter, yet softer, apples.  Consider mixing Granny Smith and Honey Crisp, or Golden Delicious with Winesap, or  McIntosh and Northern Spy.
• How long can I leave it out?  Apple pie can be made eight hours ahead, and kept out, uncovered, at room temperature.  Any longer than that, and it should be put in the fridge.
• Can I eat it right away?  Yes and no.  While you certainly 'can' slice into a freshly made apple pie right away, the pie should be allowed to 'set' for about an hour before cutting into it.  This allows the 'filling' to congeal, and for excess moisture to soak into the apples.
• Top tip for making a good crust?  Handle the dough as little as possible.  Excess handling means excess air.  Excess air means a firmer, dryer crust.
• Should I flour 'everything?'  When rolling out the dough, it can be very tempting to go nuts flouring absolutely everything from the counter to your pin to your hands to the dough itself.  Stop this.  Yes, flouring the workspace a little helps the dough to keep from sticking and peeling, but use as little as possible to prevent adding excess flour to the dough.
• Vent, vent, vent.  If you are getting fancy and placing a crust over the top of the pie, you must vent it.  This means cutting slits into the top of the crust, usually with a decorative cutter, or sometimes simply with cut-outs.  This allows steam from the filling to escape into the oven.  If the steam can't escape, it remains trapped in the pie, resulting in excess moisture.

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And that is my recipe for Apple Brandy Pie. If you enjoyed this recipe, or have any questions or suggestions, be sure to let us know in the comments below. We always love hearing from you!

Happy Baking!

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