Fall for Apple Pie

When Fall rolls around I love to get out all my Autumn decorations and my baking moves to warm cinnamon treats.  I have been trying to bake mostly healthy treats...using whole wheat flour, sugar substitute, egg substitute, etc. - I was able to attend the education classes at John's cardiac rehab sessions and the class on healthy heart eating was wonderful.  We saw we were doing many things correctly, but there was room for improvement.    

Last week a friend we met on a trip to Italy several years ago posted a photo of the apple pie her husband made.  John saw it and said "ooh, apple pie!"  and I knew I had to make one to start off the Fall season.

Here is the recipe I have been using for years...ever since I found it years ago.

Apple Crumb Pie

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.  Makes 1 - 9 inch pie.

1 - 9 inch pie shell

6 cups thinly sliced apples

1 Tablespoon lemon juice ( optional)

3/4 cups white sugar

2 Tablespoons all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon ground cinammon

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 cup raisins (optional)

1/2 cup chopped walnuts ( optional)

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

3 Tablespoons of butter

I cut and sliced the apples, but I did not peel them.  I never peel apples for pie or an apple crisp.  

Place the apples in a large bowl and sprinkle with lemon juice if desired.

In a small bowl, mix together white sugar ( I used Zing), 2 Tablespoons of flour ( I used whole wheat), cinnamon and nutmeg.  Sprinkle mixture over the apples until apples are coated.  You can add raisins ( I did not...too much sugar) and nuts to the mix.  I save the nuts to mix into the crumb topping.

Spoon the mixture into a pastry shell.   This is where I usually make a pie shell using Smart Balance margarine and whole wheat flour.  But...this time it was Saturday afternoon, I had a prepared pie shell in the freezer, and thought I would use it up.  In a small bowl ( or I use the mini food processor) mix together the 1/2 cup flour, brown sugar, butter ( once again, I used Smart Balance - and put the walnuts in there, too) and mix until crumbly.  Sprinkle mixture over apples evenly.  OK...here I go into "cinnamon overload" and sprinkle more cinnamon on top of the entire pie!  

Cover the pie loosely with foil and put on a cookie tray to catch spills.  Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.

Remove foil and bake for 25 - 30 minutes longer until top is golden brown.

Cool on a wire rack and enjoy the fabulous scent of apples in your home.  I served it with a tiny bit of whipped cream on top...no more ice cream for us!

While it was cooling I put out some Fall decorations.   I know that nobody but us ( and you - online) will see them...but it just makes the house look so cozy and ready for the new season.  I added a fall candle, some leaves, and a lovely September print that Ann at On Sutton Place  graciously puts on her site.

I added some leaves to the wreath on the powder room door...

Another fall candle and some leaves...

Our fall mantel with some Philadelphia Eagles thrown in the mix...

Switched out the summer pillows for some fall tones, and added a new animal print pillow found at JoAnn Fabrics on a great sale...

A simple coffee table candle arrangement, and a Fall pillow for this cozy chair!

I love this apple/pear plate I have had for years.  I used to put it in my kitchen window so the sun would shine through it, but since now our entire apartment has these great windows I placed it near this one...

Since these early Fall days are perfect for porch sitting I also put some decorations out there...

I love my Susan Branch Autumn book and put that out every year...the wine cork pumpkin was a gift from a friend...

Now that we are in an apartment and we get very little direct sunlight except in the early morning and late evening I no longer buy live mums...The mums on the porch and these in the foyer are silk and are holding up well for the past few years.

Another look at the foyer table ...

And a simple candle arrangement on the dining room table...the leafy placemat was found on clearance at Pier One...and there was only one - so it makes for a nice centerpiece.  The rustic bowl was made by my niece's husband, and the little apples are from Dollar Tree.

Thanks for stopping by Our New Vista today - I would love you to leave a comment and let me know how you decorate for Fall ?  Are you baking Fall treats?  The pandemic does not seem to be fading so having a cozy home to hunker down in for the Fall seems perfect!   Thanks again for stopping by - stay safe and be well !