Fighting the Christmas Spirit with Apple Pie

Ever since Halloween came and went I just cannot kick the Christmas spirit.  Typically I'm right there with everyone, like, really Target?  Too soon.  But this year, I don't know.  I just am into it.  Really into it.  Every single day I have to fight the urge to turn on the Christmas carols and bust out the decorations.  I've already finalized my Christmas list and even bought a couple of Christmas presents.  I honestly have no idea what's gotten into me.  So, in an attempt to "live in the present" I decided to go ahead and make my Thanksgiving pie this weekend.  And it was a delicious way to do so.  And maybe a couple of Christmas carols were played.  So sue me.  ;)

I've always been a baker.  There's something really comforting and peaceful, and not to mention delicious, about it for me.  Cookies were always my specialty, but I've always thought that pies are the cutest of the baked goods.  I don't know what it is about them.  When I was in high school I found this apple crunch pie in Good Housekeeping (don't ask me why I was reading Good Housekeeping in high school.  Clearly I had a fantastic social life.) and I knew I had to give it a try.  That Thanksgiving began a tradition, and I'm pretty sure there hasn't been a year since that I haven't made this pie.  And since having this pie, no other apple pie will do.  I'm telling you, it is the best. 

Here's the recipe in case you'd like to try it yourself.  Also, I double the crumb topping recipe, but I'm a "more is more" kinda girl.  Especially when it comes to sugar, butter, and cinnamon.

Ingredients

Crumb Topping
1/2 C + 2 T flour
1/2 C packed light brown sugar
1/3 C white sugar
1 t cinnamon
1/2 C butter

Filling
7 medium - large tart apples
1 T lemon juice
1/2 C white sugar
3 T flour
1/2 t cinnamon
1/8 t nutmeg

Instructions

Heat oven to 450 degrees.

Crumb Topping
Mix flours, sugars, and cinnamon in a medium bowl.  Cut in butter until mix forms moist, course crumbs that clump together easily.

Filling
Cut apples in 1/8 inch thick slices.  Toss with lemon juice to coat.  Mix remaining ingredients in a small bowl.  Sprinkle over apples; toss to coat.  Layer apples in pie shell, higher in center.  Pat topping evenly over apples to form top crust.  Place on cookie sheet to catch drips.  Bake 15 minutes.  Reduce temperature to 350 degrees and bake 45 minutes longer.

Enjoy!

- K