Five Reasons to Make a Honeycrisp Apple Pie
One of my favorite desserts to share with others is a homemade Honeycrisp apple pie. Jane Austen once said, “Good apple pies are a considerable part of our domestic happiness.” I completely agree! It’s a myth that making a great apple pie from scratch is difficult or tricky. Here are five reasons to make an apple pie from scratch using my homemade Honeycrisp apple pie recipe.
1. It’s easy and fast.
Kitchen tools have come a long way, making cooking significantly easier and faster. My go-to tool is the OXO Good Grips Silicone Pastry Mat for stress-free pie crusts. (BTW, I have no affiliation with the company!) Go to my tutorials and recipes for tips and tools that make a big difference.
So the pie isn’t perfect? Cut it into wedges. Stay in control, and never panic.
Martha Stewart
Obviously, Martha’s quote came before the invention of the Good Grips Silicone Pastry Mat. Here’s my quote.
So the pie isn’t perfect? Enjoy our cultural shift from a Betty Crocker perfect crust to an “Old World Crust” or “Rustic Crust.” Relax and create a pie.
Angell Clark
2. The basic ingredients are always available.
If you use your kitchen at all, then you probably have these essential ingredients: flour, butter, salt, Honeycrisp apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg. PS. I prefer my flour, butter, and apples to be organic.
3. A Family Activity
Children, teenagers, grandparents, spouse, friends can peel the apples. With some knife and cutting skills any of these people can slice the apples. Clear off some space on a table with the apples, a peeler, a knife and a bowl and sit some friends or family down. Cooking an apple pie doesn’t have to be a solo activity and can be the start of some wonderful memories around the kitchen table.
4. Fills the House With A Holiday Scent
A baking apple pie fills the house with a delicious uplifting scent of warm pastry, fruit, and cinnamon that shouts “Down Home Heaven!” Beware! Your loved ones may chase you around the house until they find the pie.
5. They’re healthier and tastier than a store-bought version.
Compare my pie crust ingredient list to that of a store-bought pie crust. Taste of Home did a review of the best store-bought crusts based on an analysis of ten brands.
The top two crusts in their study used the same ingredients, which included hydrogenated lard with Bha and Bht food preservatives, and monosodium metabisulfite with yellow food dye. All those preservatives are extending the frozen pie crust’s shelf life, but they’re not extending my life.
And let’s talk about lard for the choice of shortening in a pie. Organic butter has more flavor than lard. Is there anything else to say?
I’m not even going to discuss the health and taste benefits of fresh Organic Honeycrisp (link to Chelan Beauty?) apples versus canned apple pie filling at the store. Done!
The effort you put into this dessert gives it soul, so no wonder the finished pie contributes to our domestic happiness.
With or without ice cream or cheddar, it is divine. Since the origin of the phrase, “as American as apple pie,” this culinary achievement is a favorite for winning hearts.