If you are only going to bake one thing this season it should probably be an apple pie. Why are you only baking one thing though!? Maybe you’re allergic to ovens. Maybe you have a phobia of flour. I don’t know. I don’t want to judge here. But guys, can we just bake a pie today or what?
And while we’re at it, let’s put some bourbon in that pie, ok? If you’ve never baked with booze before don’t fret. We’re really just after the flavor: caramel, warm oak and vanilla. The actual alcohol content greatly decreases anytime you bake with liquor, as alcohol has a pretty low boiling point. Which is why you can make homemade vanilla extract with vodka. Science.
First let’s talk crust. You can buy one or make your own. For this pie I made my own. I love a flaky, unsweetened crust. Perfect backdrop for a sweet pie with ice cream. 🙂
Perfect pie crust, makes one double crust pie (or two single crusts. Math.)
Needed: 2 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 15 tablespoons cold butter (almost 2 sticks, but not quite) and 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon cold water.
In a food processor combine the flour and salt, pulse for a second or two. Cut in the butter and pulse until just crumbly. Now slowly pour in the water as the food processor is turned on low. (You can also do these steps by hand with a little more effort, I’m just lazy.) Once you’ve added all the water use your clean hands to work the dough into a ball. Cover in plastic wrap and chill for an hour (or up to overnight). When you’re ready to use your dough let it sit out on the counter for a few minutes before rolling out.
Spiced Bourbon Apple Pie, filling for one pie.
Needed: 3-4 sour apples, 1/2 cup milk, 1 tablespoon corn starch, 2 tablespoons bourbon, 2/3 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional).
Peel and thinly slice the apples. As you can see from the photo I believe in very thinly sliced apples. The thinner your slices the more area for the spiced bourbon coating to stick to. I use a Mandoline and highly recommend them. It’s one of my favorite kitchen tools. Set aside your apples and in a small bowl whisk together the milk, corn starch, bourbon, cinnamon and sugar. Pour over the apples and gently mix them up so that all slices get coated. Add in the pecans if using. Roll out your pie crust and lay in your prepared baking dish. Pour in the filling and lay on the top pie crust. Make sure to add a few slits to the top pie crust to allow steam to escape as baking. I crimped my edges using the side of a fork and I added a little label using Alphabet Cookie Cutters
. Brush the top with an egg wash and bake at 375 F for an hour.
If you don’t have or don’t want to use bourbon you can substitute 2 teaspoons vanilla extract instead. Bake a pie this week! Your house will smell amazing. xo. Emma
What size pie plate did you use? I’m excited to try your pie.
I made this pie for Thanksgiving and it was AMAZING. Absolutely the best apple pie I have ever made, and I have made SO many in my lifetime. By the way – using the mandoline was key to the success of this recipe.
Pretty darn cute.
Oh my! I usually don’t bake, but I absolutely have to make an exception for this recipe. And Knob Creek just happens to be my favorite bourbon. I already have a date to bake with some girlfriends this weekend. Thanks for the inspiration!
Great recipe! I made this pie this afternoon and just loved it 🙂
Wow! I wanna eat that so much!!! Perfect for cold winter-days in bavaria 🙂
In the oven now. It looks promising. What an original twist, I love it!
I used Red Stag Spiced Cinnamon Bourbon… Super yummy!
So on this pie, I already make a delish apple pie and the
bourbon with really make it pop.
I’m making this pie today! complete with ‘Caturday’ instead of ‘Apple Pie.’ Also, the link leading to this recipe on your recipe’s page instead sends you to coconut frosting. :[
I’m not a huge fan of apple pie but my husband is, I’ll be making this for him (;
booze + fruit + dough = LOVE (Yes, please and thank you!)
this looks so amazing! the “apple pie” cut outs are the cutest. mmmm bourbon.
a truly innovative job leaving my mouth to water when i look at this luscious apple pie
I used this recipe (substituting vanilla for the bourbon) to attempt my first ever apple pie and the result was pure perfection. Amazing recipe! Thanks for sharing.
Jessica
http://bridenomore.blogspot.com/
Oh yum! I’m the resident pie baker during family gatherings, and I’m always looking for fun and different pie recipes. I love the idea of bourbon and apples together – yum yum – thank you for sharing! In return, I’ll tell you one of my favorite recipes. Chai Spiced Apple Pie. It’s a Martha Stewart recipe, probably on her website somewhere. Delicious and just a little different.
Tried this pie this weekend for a party we had. HUGE hit! (*Next time I may add a little of the bourbon butter you posted about last year too!)
xo*
so I just baked this right now, and I’m in love. What a wonderful recipe. Thank you for sharing!!
xo
N
mannuellanadine.com
yummmyyyy! made this today (no bourbon in the cupboard so went w/o this time around) and it is the BEST apple pie i’ve had! the PERfect amount of sweetness…and scrumptious crust. can’t wait to try it with the bourbon.
thanks for sharing!
This looks divine. It’s a must for the season, for sure! xx