Apple Pie

This weekend I made an apple pie. Our family is big into making pies. My mom and grandpa used to compete with each other. It's a fun tradition to keep on going. The crust is an old family recipe. The filling is from Betty Crocker...it is SO good and I highly recommend it!

Apple pie crust:
2 cups flour
1 cup shortening
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup cold water
sugar to sprinkle on the top

Preheat to 425*F.
I make the crust first. Mix the flour, salt & shortening together. Cut the shortening with a knife.
Mix with KitchenAid mixer or with wooden spoon until little balls form from the shortening, about the size of a pea. Add the cold water, mix in. Divide dough into 2. Sprinkle counter with flour (or use silpat). Flour your rolling pin, and roll dough out into a large circle. I slide a thin spatula underneath the dough to loosen it, and then I place the dough in the pan with my hands. Make filling as directed below, and spoon into shell. Roll out the other ball of dough and place on top. gather the sides and roll them into a neat edge. cut off extra dough to place in ripped areas, if there are any. Get a knife and cut holes into it. I usually cut a design or a "T" for my last name, or "A" for apple. Sprinkle sugar on the top before it goes in the oven. Bake at 425*F for 15 minutes, then turn it down to 375*F for 25-30 more minutes. Enjoy!

Apple pie filling:
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon salt
8 cups peeled & sliced tart apples (8 medium sized apples)
2 T butter (I don't use it, but that's what the recipe calls for)

In large bowl, mix sugar, 1/4 cup flour, the cinnamon, nutmeg and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Stir in apples until well mixed. Spoon into pastry-lined pie plate. Cut butter into small pieces; sprinkle over filling.

Then follow directions on whatever pie crust you are using.
Here's pictures from the pie I made: