Whiskey Apple Pie

I haven't made an apple pie in quite a while. I mean, years (though I did make hand pies, they weren't even that recent). It isn't because I don't enjoy it, no not at all. But with so many desserts on my list, I get caught up.

But this Thanksgiving, I decided to knuckle down on the baking. I actually wound up making four different desserts; it was a sweet smorgasbord, if you will.

A friend and I had been exchanging recipes in the days leading up, and he kept sending me rum and bourbon-themed desserts. It got me kind of wanting to play, and I thought whiskey might add a good flavor to apple pie. I mean, why not? 

I used Snapdragon apples for this; supposedly they are sweet and spicy (though I didn't find a hint of spice in them when I ate them raw). All I cared about was that they were pretty little apples. Random Aldi find.

I peeled and thinly sliced 11 apples total.

After that, I tossed them with sugar, honey (just because), vanilla extract, lemon juice. cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

I tossed the mixture all together to lightly coat the apples.

After I poured the apple filling into the crust, I added the top crust.

I trimmed the edges, added some vents to the top crust, then brushed on a light coat of butter onto the top layer - this helps it turn a lovely light brown. I popped it in the oven and cooked it for about 40 minutes.

I let it bake for 40 minutes, and didn't even put a crust protector on it (rolling the dice!). It browned beautifully and not a single bit was burnt.

Real pretty. And yes, I do like a little ice in my whiskey.

It was a popular treat after dinner; hell, the whole dessert buffet was a success. The whiskey flavor was not at all overpowering, but rather added a subtle touch.

And it certainly photographed nicely. You know, I don't do much by way of editing my photos. It's partially time, but also a belief in accurate representation. This slice doesn't need much at all.

Whiskey Apple Pie Recipe

Ingredients:

2 pie crusts

8-12 large apples (6 cups)

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup honey (or brown sugar)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/4 cup whiskey or bourbon

Instructions:

Remove pie crust from fridge and let sit for 15-20 minutes to soften. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Add a light coat of vegetable shortening or spray non-stick baking spray into a pie dish. Lay one of the pie crusts into the pie dish and poke several fork holes into it. Peel and slice apples thin and place in a large bowl. Add sugar, honey, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, lemon juice, and whiskey, then toss apples to coat. Pour apples into pie crust, then gently add top crust. Cut away excess crust, then gently press top and bottom crusts together. Slice some areas of the top crust to vent.

adapted from easy apple pie