Perfect Apple Pie

This is Mary's personal "perfected" recipe. The bakery where Mary worked actually uses her recipe (or did).

Ingredients:
1 pie shell
5 medium apples - peeled, cored and sliced
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2/3 cup white sugar
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (secret ingredient that's not so secret now)
2 tbsp butter
..............
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
1/2 cup butter

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F

To make Apple filling: Place apples in a large bowl. In a separate bowl combine 2 tablespoons flour, white sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon and pumpkin pie spices. Mix well, then add to apples. Toss until apples are evenly coated. Place apple mixture in pie shell and dot with 2 tablespoons butter or margarine. Lay a sheet of aluminum foil lightly on top of filling, but to not seal. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.

While filling is baking, make Streusel Topping: In a medium bowl combine 3/4 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, brown sugar, oats, and pecans. Mix thoroughly, then cut in 1/2 cup butter or margarine until mixture is crumbly. Remove pie from oven and sprinkle streusel on top. Reduce heat to 375 degrees F. Bank and additional 30 to 35 minutes, until streusel is browned and apples are tender.

Originally posted 1/11/08