Bourbon Apple Pie
Ingredients
For the crust
- 3 CUPS All-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 2 TBSP Granulated sugar
- ⅛ TSP Baking powder
- A PINCH of Salt
- ¼ CUP vegetable shortening, cold/refrigerated
- 2 STICKS unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, cold/refrigerated
- 1 TBSP Bourbon
- 8 to 10 TBSP Ice water
- 1 Large egg, lightly beaten
- Coarse sugar, for sprinkling
For the Filling
- 4 POUNDS Assorted variety of apples
- 2 TBSP fresh lemon juice
- ¼ CUP plus 1 TBSP Bourbon
- 5 TBSP unsalted butter
- ⅔ CUP granulated sugar
- 1 TSP ground cinnamon
- ¼ TSP ground ginger
Directions
Make the crust: Pulse the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt in a food processor to combine. Add the shortening and pulse until the mixture looks like coarse meal. Add the butter and pulse until it is in pea-size pieces. Add the bourbon and pulse until just incorporated. Pulse in the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough holds together when pinched. Turn out the dough onto a large piece of plastic wrap and gather together, using the plastic wrap to help you. Divide into 2 pieces and gently pat each into a disk; wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours.
Make the filling: Peel the apples and slice about ¼ inch thick. Toss with the lemon juice and ¼ cup bourbon. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of the apples and sprinkle with half of the granulated sugar. Cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to simmer, about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the apples soften, about 7 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Add 2 more tablespoons butter to the skillet and repeat with the remaining apples and sugar. Add to the bowl and toss with the cinnamon and ginger. Let cool completely.
Roll out 1 disk of dough into a 12-inch round on a lightly floured surface. Ease into a 9-inch pie plate. Roll out the remaining disk of dough into a 12-inch round on a lightly floured surface. Transfer to a baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.
Spoon the apple filling into the prepared pie crust. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon bourbon and dot with the remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Lay the dough round over the filling. Pinch the overhanging dough together and fold under itself; crimp the edge with your fingers. Cut a few slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape. Brush the crust with the beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Refrigerate 1 hour.
Put a baking sheet on the lowest oven rack; preheat to 400 degrees F. Bake the pie on the hot baking sheet until the crust is golden, 60 to 70 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool at least 2 hours.