Grandma's Pie Crust and Apple Pie

This is my very own Grandma June's famous pie crust. It's good, really good. The saddest thing is I've never made this pie until this year. I feel like a bad granddaughter. I don't know how I haven't made this before. I guess every year on holidays, my mom or one of my aunt's makes the pie. Truth be told, I have always thought pie crusts to be a lot of work and time and sometimes I'm just not down for that. 

So when I stumbled across this recipe again and looked at the directions, I realized it's way easier than I thought. Okay, the recipe card only had ingredients and no directions, so after I called my mom to ask what the directions are, then I realized this dough is EASY! Four ingredients, mix, chill and roll. Done. 

But just like so many old school Grandma recipes, this one has shortening in it. Nothing like a little shortening to take it up a notch. Chocolate chip cookies and pie crust with shortening, Grandma June ain't messin around. 

This crust is super flaky and light, which I love. I made an apple pie when using this crust, that recipe is below as well if you are looking for a fantastic and also easy, apple pie. You see a theme with me? Feeling very Thanksgiving time around my house and I love it. 

Are you a pie person? What is your favorite holiday pie? Leave me a comment and let me know. Head on over to @lolosdesserts on Instagram to see what new recipes I'm sharing or follow me on Facebook. Also, tag #lolosdesserts if you make any of the recipes fro my site. I love to see what you are making!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups flour

3/4 teaspoon salt

10 Tablespoons shortening

1/3 cup milk

Directions

1. Put all ingredients into a large bowl, knead with your hands until everything is just combined. Careful not to overwork the dough.

2. Separate dough into two sections. Wrap each in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for about an hour. You can chill overnight as well if you are skilled at planning ahead and if you are, I am very envious of you.

3. After chilled, place dough onto a floured surface. Roll each dough section with a rolling pin to desired thickness, about 1/3 inch. Try turning the dough after every few rolls, this will help the dough not to stick to the surface. Also, if you are having cracks at the edges then push the dough back together and sprinkle some flour on top and roll out again. Repeat with second section of dough.

4. Place bottom layer of dough onto your pie baking dish then follow steps for pie filing.

Apple Pie Ingredients

6 medium apples, peeled and thinly sliced

3/4 cup sugar

2 Tablespoons flour

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

Apple Pie Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Press pie dough into the ungreased 9 inch pie baking dish. Make sure to press the dough into the curves of the dish.

2. In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together until apples are well covered. Pour filling into the dough lined dish.

3. Transfer the top dough over the filling and press edges together to seal two doughs together. Cut slits in the top dough to let steam out while baking.

4. If you want to do a lattice top, roll out dough then use a pizza cutter to slice strips. Transfer to top of filling to make the design.

5. Place the pie in the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. Check after 20 minutes, if there is too much browning then over with foil for remaining time.

6. Remove from the oven and let cool. My favorite is a warm apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Perfection.