Artsy Apple Pie

This recipe is an amazing guide to creating a warm, tasty apple pie with a pretty design as a nice touch! In my high schools foods class, we were challenged to create a form of "edible art." This means that our food had to taste good, and also have some sort of artistic touch added to it. We created a classic apple pie with a cute heart design in the middle. Follow this recipe to make and enjoy your own!

Pie Crust:

- 1 cup of cold, salted butter

- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

- 1/2 tsp salt

- 3-4 tbs ice water

Pie Filling:

- 1/2 cup granulated sugar

- 1/2 cup brown sugar

- 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice

- 1/4 cup cornstarch

- 3/4 tsp cinnamon

- 2 cups water

- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

- 5 Granny Smith apples

- 1 egg

Baking Supplies:

- saucepan (to cook apples over the stove)

- peeler (to peel apples)

- knife (to slice apples)

- cutting board (surface to slice apples on)

- food processor (to mix the ingredients for the dough)

- rolling pin (to roll out the dough)

- measuring spoons/cups (to measure ingredients)

- pie pan (to bake the pie in)

- brush (to brush the egg wash on with)

- small, sharp knife (to make designs in the pie crust with)

- cooling rack (to make sure the pie cools evenly)

1. Place the flour and salt in the food processor and press pulse a few times to combine.

2. Add the cold cubed butter into the food processor and continue to pulse it until small crumbs form.

3. Add 1 tbsp of water at a time and pulse, repeating this process until a dough-like consistency forms. Make sure not to add too much water so that the dough isn't too wet.

4. Pat the dough into a ball shape and store in the fridge until it is desired to be used.

1. In a medium saucepan, add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, cinnamon, and water.

2. Bring this mixture to a boil over the stove and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.

3. Peel and slice the apples into 1/4 inch thick slices, then add them to the saucepan.

4. Reduce the heat to low and let the apples simmer for 6-8 minutes or until they become soft. However, be careful because you do not want them to become too soft.

1. Take 1/2 of the pie dough that was previously made and roll it out into a large, thin circle. Place the circle of dough into the bottom of the pie pan and shape the dough into the pie pan.

2. Carefully pour the apple filling into the pie, making sure that it is evenly spread out.

3. Take the other 1/2 of the dough and roll it out. Use a sharp knife to cut thin strips of dough. Layer these strips, however many as you want, over the top of the pie. Be sure to smooth it out and make sure the strips are not hanging over the edges of the pie.

4. With the rest of the leftover pie dough, use a small, sharp knife to cut the desired designs into the dough and cut them out, placing them into the center of the pie, as seen in this example we placed a heart in the center of the pie.

5. Combine 1 egg with 1 tsp of water in a small bowl to make the eggwash. Take a baking brush and evenly spread out the eggwash onto the pie dough.

6. Put the pie into the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour. Halfway through its baking time (30 mins), take the pie out of the oven and wrap the edges with aluminum foil so that the dough doesn't burn.

7. Carefully take the pie out of the oven. Allow it to cool, and then enjoy!

After following this recipe, you should end up with a delicious treat that can have a cool design of your choice on it as well! In my opinion, this pie actually turned out really good. It was just the right amount of sweetness and the apple flavor was strong, but not too overwhelming. I would definitely make this pie again and I would recommend it to anyone!