Apple Whiskey Crumb Pie

Life in Quarantine is hard. The grocery stores are out of flour. My friends are losing their jobs. The whole world is really sucking right now, but I found a little spot of heaven in this pie. Thankfully, granny smith apples are not in high demand and this boozy apple pie is sure to improve your day. The apples soak in dark brown sugar and apple jack whiskey which while baking morph into a caramel that goes so so well with the crumb topping. Top it off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or don't. Either way, it will be gone before you know it.

For the Crust:

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (stick) unsalted butter, very cold, cut into 1/2 inch cubes

1/4 cup ice water

For the Crumb Topping

1 cup all purpose flour

1/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, very cold, cut into 1/2 inch cubes

For the Apple Filling:

3 pounds granny smith apples, cored, peeled and sliced into 1/4 inch pieces

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed

3 tablespoons apple jack whiskey

1 lemon, juiced

2 tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

3/4 teaspoon salt

1. To make the crust: In a medium bowl, combine flour and salt, mix to combine. Add the butter. Working quickly, incorporate the butter into the flour by rubbing between your fingers. Once all the flour appears covered in fat, and lumps of butter the size of peas remain, add in the water. Using your hands knead the water in until the dough just comes together, careful not to overwork. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate at least 1 hour.

2. Make the crumb topping: In a small bowl, combine the flour, dark brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and butter. Rub the butter into the flour mixture until coarse crumbs form and the flour sticks to itself. Place in the freezer until ready to use.

3. Make the filling: In a very large bow, combine the apples, granulated sugar, dark brown sugar, apple jack whiskey, lemon juice, flour, cinnamon, almond extract and salt. Toss the mixture together with a spatula (or your hands), taking care to rub the sugar on the apples to extract apple juices, this helps make that amazing caramel.

4. Assemble: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Roll out the prepared and rested dough into a 1/8 inch thick sheet and drape over a 9 inch pie plate. Crimp the edges with a fork to ensure the crust doesn't shrink. Pour in the filling. It looks like too much, but it will cook down so be generous. Top with the crumb mixture.

5. Bake: Place into the oven on the middle rack and bake for 30-45 minutes, or until golden brown all over and bubbly.

#pie #applecrumb #whiskey