Fall is synonymous with certain comforting images: cozy sweaters, colorful leaves, and most importantly, the irresistible aroma of apple pie baking in the oven. While grand fall plans might sometimes fall by the wayside, indulging in the flavors of the season is always within reach. Enter Pioneer Woman Apple Pie, a recipe that perfectly captures the essence of autumn, bringing warmth and deliciousness right into your kitchen. This isn’t just any apple pie; it’s the Pioneer Woman’s Flat Apple Pie, a rustic and incredibly flavorful dessert that’s surprisingly easy to make.
This recipe, inspired by Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman herself, is a delightful twist on the classic apple pie. It foregoes the traditional deep-dish pie pan for a flatter, more rustic presentation, emphasizing the delicious filling and buttery crust. Even if your apple-picking plans were rained out, or you simply crave a taste of homemade goodness, this Pioneer Woman apple pie recipe is your perfect solution. It’s a comforting dessert that promises to fill your home with the warm, inviting scent of apples and cinnamon, making up for any missed fall adventures.
What Makes Pioneer Woman’s Flat Apple Pie Special?
The beauty of the Pioneer Woman Flat Apple Pie lies in its simplicity and incredible flavor. It’s less fussy than a traditional pie, making it approachable for bakers of all skill levels. The flat presentation ensures a higher ratio of crust to filling in each bite, and that crust, made with the Pioneer Woman’s Perfect Pie Crust recipe, is truly something special – flaky, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth. The filling is a harmonious blend of tart Granny Smith apples, sugar, and spices, creating that quintessential apple pie taste we all crave.
This apple pie recipe Pioneer Woman style is also incredibly versatile. Enjoy it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic dessert experience, or add a drizzle of caramel topping for an extra touch of sweetness. It’s perfect for fall gatherings, holiday celebrations, or simply a cozy night in.
Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Flat Apple Pie
To bake this delightful Pioneer Woman apple pie, you’ll need the following ingredients. The recipe is divided into two parts: the Flat Apple Pie filling and the Perfect Pie Crust.
For the Flat Apple Pie Filling (Makes 2 Pies):
- 5 Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced (Granny Smiths are key for their tartness that balances the sweetness)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Juice of ½ lemon (to prevent browning and add a touch of brightness)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar (for depth of flavor)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter, cut into small chunks
For the Pioneer Woman Perfect Pie Crust (Makes 2-3 Crusts):
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups vegetable shortening (for a flaky crust)
- 1 large egg
- 5 tablespoons ice water
- 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar (helps with tenderness)
Fresh Granny Smith apples are essential for the best Pioneer Woman Flat Apple Pie.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Pioneer Woman Apple Pie
Let’s walk through how to create this amazing Pioneer Woman apple pie, starting with the crust and then assembling the pie.
Making the Perfect Pie Crust:
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Incorporate Shortening: Add the vegetable shortening to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs or tiny pebbles. This step is crucial for a flaky crust, so don’t overmix.
- Add Wet Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, lightly beat the egg with a fork. Add the egg, cold water, and vinegar to the flour mixture.
- Combine Dough: Stir the mixture until it just comes together into a dough. Divide the dough in half.
- Chill Dough: Place each half of the dough in a plastic bag, flatten slightly, seal, and freeze for later use or chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before rolling. Freezing makes the dough easier to handle.
The key to Pioneer Woman’s Perfect Pie Crust is cutting in the shortening until it resembles small pebbles.
Assembling and Baking the Flat Apple Pie:
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Apples: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, combine the sliced Granny Smith apples, flour, lemon juice, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and salt. Toss to coat the apples evenly.
- Roll Out Pie Crusts: Remove one disc of pie crust dough from the freezer (or refrigerator) and let it thaw slightly for about 20 minutes until it’s pliable enough to roll. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each dough disc into a large circle. Place each circle on a large baking sheet.
- Add Apple Filling: Divide the apple mixture evenly between the two pie crusts, spreading it out in the center of each circle, leaving a border of a few inches for the crust to fold over.
- Fold Crust and Dot with Butter: Fold the edges of each crust over the apple mixture, creating a rustic, free-form edge. No need for perfection; the more rustic, the better! Dot the tops of the apple pies with chunks of butter.
Fold the edges of the crust over the apple filling for a rustic Pioneer Woman Flat Apple Pie.
- Bake: Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly and tender. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover the edges with aluminum foil.
- Cool and Serve: Let the pies cool slightly before slicing into wedges. A pizza cutter works wonderfully for slicing this flat pie! Serve warm, with ice cream or caramel drizzle if desired.
Tips for the Best Pioneer Woman Apple Pie
- Use Cold Ingredients: For the pie crust, make sure your shortening and water are cold. This helps create a flakier crust.
- Don’t Overwork the Dough: Overworking the pie crust dough will develop the gluten and make it tough. Mix until just combined.
- Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet pie, you can reduce the amount of sugar slightly.
- Apple Variations: While Granny Smiths are traditional, you can experiment with other tart apples like Honeycrisp or a mix of different varieties for complex flavor.
- Make Ahead: The pie crust can be made ahead of time and stored in the freezer for months, making pie assembly quicker on baking day.
Embrace the Flavors of Fall with Pioneer Woman Apple Pie
The Pioneer Woman Apple Pie is more than just a dessert; it’s an experience. It’s the taste of fall, the comfort of home baking, and the joy of sharing something delicious with loved ones. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe is sure to become a new favorite. So, preheat your oven, gather your ingredients, and get ready to fill your home with the irresistible aroma of Pioneer Woman’s Flat Apple Pie. You might just find that it’s the perfect way to celebrate the season, no matter what your fall plans may be.
