Why Not Look Pretty While You Cook? Lovely Aprons #Review and #Rafflecopter #Giveaway

The skylight is being fixed.
HOO-RAY!
The friends that were helping the hubby were going to be hungry so I made some stew and apple pies for dessert.

Mmmm, apple pie.
The goats benefit with apple pie as they get the cores and the peelings so everyone is happy!


I decided on apple crumb and I must say I was looking stylish thanks to my new kitchen apron from Lovely Aprons.

What do you think?
I'll tell you what I think and then we'll get on with the pie!
The apron is one of a series of cute aprons from the company. It's very well constructed and I absolutely ADORE

the double ruffle on the bottom. How cute is it? And it's purple - my favorite color.

It fits perfectly thanks to a tie at the neck and at the waist so I was very comfortable as I was cooking. It's washable and it looks good, what more can you ask of an apron?! I was very happy with it.


Now for the pie; I made a basic crust with just a few changes from the Betty Crocker Cookbook circa Turn of the 20th Century. heh

I made two pies so this is a two crust recipe:


1/3 cup + 2 TBS COLD butter
1/3 cup shortening
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
2 TBS sugar
3 TBS ice water
2 TBS apple cider vinegar


Mix the dry ingredients together and then cut the shortening and butter in with a pastry blender or two knives until the mixture looks like small peas. Add the cider vinegar and water and mix with a fork until the dough comes together.  Knead a bit until you have a smooth dough. Cut in half and wrap in wax paper and put in the refrigerator for at least an hour.

For the filling (for two pies):


10 granny smith apples, cored, peeled and sliced
juice of one lemon
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
pinch of salt
1/2 cup flour
2 tsp cinnamon

Add the lemon juice to the sliced apples and mix well. Add the dry ingredients and stir. Let sit until you are ready to add to the pie crust.

For the crumb topping (for two pies)


1 cup melted butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 granulated sugar
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 generous dashes cinnamon
pinch of salt

Mix the dry ingredients together. Add the melted butter and stir until well mixed. Set aside until you need it to top the pie(s).


To assemble the pie:
Preheat oven to 400°

Remove the pie dough from the refrigerator and dust your work surface with a bit of flour. Roll out your dough to about 2" larger than your pie dish.

Carefully place the rolled dough on your dish and trim to slightly larger than the rim. Fold the excess dough under and make a decorative edge by poking the dough with the index finger of your dominant hand and pinching with the index finger and thumb of your other hand. I couldn't do this and take photos at the same time unless I grew a third hand. heh

I brush the crust with an egg wash at this point. Just a beaten egg with a bit of water.

Fill the crust with the apple slices. Don't add in all of the liquid that has accumulated in the bottom of the bowl. I used about 2 TBSP per pie.

Take the crumb topping and squeeze it in your hand and then break off chunks and top the apples. Make sure they are well covered.


Place the pie pans on a baking sheet.
Bake at 400° for 15 minutes and then lower the heat to 350° and bake for another 45 minutes or until the juices are bubbly.

Take the pie(s) out of the oven and cool on a rack.
Before I serve them today I will sprinkle them with some powdered sugar.
Mmmmm, pie.
The house smelled heavenly while they were baking.

I stayed nice and clean while I was making them thanks to my Lovely Apron!


You can shop for Lovely Aprons
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One lucky reader will win a Lovely Apron of their choice! They will receive a gift code good for an apron and free shipping.
How do you win? It's easy!
Just click on "read more" and jump on the Rafflecopter. If you are here by direct link the 'copter is waiting! Good luck!




a Rafflecopter giveaway


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.