Apple Praline Pie Recipe

Ingredients

• 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cold butter, cubed
• 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
• 4 to 6 tablespoons cold water
• FILLING:
• 6 cups thinly sliced peeled tart apples
• 1 tablespoon ginger ale
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons butter
• TOPPING:
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 2/3 cup pecan halves
• 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt; cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle with vinegar. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball.
• Divide dough in half so that one portion is slightly larger than the other. Roll out larger portion to fit a 9-in. pie plate. Transfer pastry to pie plate. Trim pastry even with edge.
• In a large bowl, toss apples with the ginger ale, lemon juice and vanilla. Combine the sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg; add to apple mixture and toss to coat. Spoon into crust; dot with butter.
• Roll out remaining pastry to fit top of pie. Place over filling. Trim, seal and flute edges. Cut slits in pastry.
• Bake at 400° for 55-65 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Cover edges with foil during the last 30 minutes to prevent overbrowning if necessary.
• Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in brown sugar; cook and stir until mixture comes to a boil and sugar is dissolved. Stir in pecans; cook 1 minute longer. Remove from the heat; stir in cream and vanilla. Immediately pour over pie. Bake 3-5 minutes longer or until topping is bubbly. Cool on a wire rack. Yield: 8 servings.

Apple Praline Pie published in Branson's Great American Pie Show January 2009