Cookie Crust Deep-Dish Apple Pie

Name: Cookie Crust Deep-Dish Apple Pie
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Yield: 15 servings.
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened; 1/2 cup sugar; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 3 large egg yolks; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 tablespoons sour cream; 3 cups all-purpose flour; FILLING:; 1 cup sugar; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 8 cups sliced peeled Granny Smith apples; 2 tablespoons butter, cubed; TOPPING:; 1 large egg white; 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans

One of my favorite make-and-take desserts, this deep-dish pie is based on an old Hungarian recipe that's popular in this part of Ohio. The easy cookie crust is the best part. —Diane Shipley, Mentor, Ohio

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons sour cream
3 cups all-purpose flour
FILLING:
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
8 cups sliced peeled Granny Smith apples
2 tablespoons butter, cubed
TOPPING:
1 large egg white
1/4 cup finely chopped pecans

Directions

Beat butter, sugar and salt until blended; beat in egg yolks and vanilla. Beat in sour cream. Gradually beat in flour. Divide dough in half. Shape each into a rectangle; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 375°. On waxed paper, roll one half of dough into a 14x10-in. rectangle. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. pan; press onto bottom and 1/2 in. up sides of pan. (Dough may crack; pinch together to patch.)
For filling, mix sugar, flour and cinnamon; toss with apples. Place in crust; dot with butter. On waxed paper, roll remaining dough into a 14x10-in. rectangle; place over filling. Pinch edges to seal.
Whisk egg white until frothy; brush over top. Sprinkle with pecans. Cut slits in top crust. Bake on a lower oven rack until golden brown, 40-45 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

Test Kitchen Tips

Use a gentle touch when brushing the egg white over the top crust; the dough is delicate.

Some juices from the filling might ooze out during baking, and that's OK. Consider it a caramelly bonus.