My Mom's Long-Time Apple Pie Recipe by Chris

Lard makes the flakiest crust!

Funny thing is that everyone in my family loves this pie COLD! I have to bake and cool it early in the day so it can be chilled by dinner. Leftovers are a morning breakfast favorite.

I should also add that for years, John and Matt have both asked for this apple pie for their birthdays instead of cake!

   ---Chris

Apple Pie
(my mom's long-time recipe)

Crust:
2 1/4 c. flour
9 T lard - yes, I know but it makes the flakiest crust!
4.5 T. butter
1.5 t. sugar
3/4 t. salt
3-4 T. very cold water

Mix dry ingredients. Cut in lard and butter until it's evenly crumbled. I do this by hand. Add enough cold water to make it all stick together. Wrap in waxed paper and refrigerate at least an hour. Can even do the day before.

Pie:
6-7 c. peeled, sliced apples - my favorites are (in order) Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, and 20 oz. cooking apples
Add 3/4 - 1 c. sugar and sprinkle with 1/8 t. salt.

Put in pie crust and dot with 2 T. butter. Put top crust on and seal. Brush the top with milk and sprinkle on a mixture of 2 T. sugar, 1/2 t. cinnamon and 1/4 t. nutmeg. Slice a few vents into top.

Bake 10 mins at 450 and then lower temp to 375 for about 30 minutes.

---Chris