Salted Honey Apple Pie

Try This—Salted Honey Apple Pie

This may read like a Trader Joe’s commercial, but I assure you, they have no idea who I am except for the massive amounts of money I give them for cookie butter and apple blossoms. Still, I have to give them a shout out for all the hidden gems they have hiding in their freezer section.

Anyway, I was looking for a frozen pie crust. Anyone that’s ever made a pie from scratch knows how temperamental and unforgiving homemade pie crust can be. When it’s done right though you have flaky, buttery heaven surrounding the filling that you’ve made. Sounds yum, but the time it takes can sometimes be a pain. I really wanted to try this recipe before the holidays, so I wanted to stress less about the crust and focus my energy on the filling.

Thank goodness for Trader Joe’s Pie Crust! As far as frozen pie crusts go, this is by far the best. For sure the closest you’re gonna get to that homemade flavor and consistency. Anyway, The most important part of a pie is the filling, and this recipe is seriously dope.

A little backstory… If you haven’t already, you should pick up the Four & Twenty Blackbirds Pie Book. This recipe book is everything! When I was a kid, there were whole sections of Brooklyn that were dilapidated wastelands, Gowanus (the little section located between Carroll Gardens and Park Slope) was one of them. Now there are all kinds of trendy little shops and cafes all around that neighborhood. Four & Twenty Blackbirds is one such little cafe that specializes in homemade pies that are pretty darn delicious. Fortunately, if you don’t live close by, you can now try your hand at making some of these recipes at home thanks to their cookbook.

This particular recipe is one of my favorites! So without further ado! You must try this!!!

Salted Honey Apple Pie

Salted Honey Apple Pie

Ingredients (for the filling)

  • 1/2c (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2c sugar
  • 1 tbsp white cornmeal
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1tsp vanilla paste (find it here)
  • 3/4 cup honey
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons flaked sea salt (for finishing)
  • 1 to 2 fresh apples, peeled and thinly sliced

Salted Honey Apple Pie

Salted Honey Apple Pie

Directions

  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar, cornmeal, salt, and vanilla paste
  • Whisk in the honey
  • Add the eggs (one at a time), whisking to combine.
  • Add in heavy cream and vinegar, continue to whisk.
  • Remove your pie crust from the freezer and arrange thinly sliced apples around the bottom
  • Pour the filling into your pie crust
  • Bake pie on the middle rack for about 45 to 55 minutes until pie is deep golden brown and puffed around the edges and set in the center.
  • Rotate the pie (so that the part of the pie that’s been facing the front of your oven is now facing the back) about 30 minutes into baking
  • This pie cooks like custard and is done when the filling is no longer liquid, but set and golden brown
  • Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool for at least 3 hours
  • Sprinkle with sea salt and serve warm, or at room temperature

***for a little extra yum, try using sage infused honey

Images: TwiggStudio

Try This---(Paleo) Cinnamon Roll in a Mug

Try This—(Paleo) Cinnamon Roll In A Mug

Mmmm. Cinnamon Rolls. You guys! This recipe is all kinds of amazing. Picture this…a lazy Sunday morning, cup of coffee, piping hot cinnamon roll in a mug, scrolling through instagram and twitter. That was me yesterday and it could be you too! Word. Just try this!

Try This---(Paleo) Cinnamon Roll In A MugTry This---(Paleo) Cinnamon Roll In A MugTry This---(Paleo) Cinnamon Roll In A MugTry This---(Paleo) Cinnamon Roll In A MugTry This---(Paleo) Cinnamon Roll In A Mug(Paleo) Cinnamon Roll In A Mug

Ingredients

Serves 1

Cinnamon Roll

2 tablespoons coconut flour (find it here)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of fine grain sea salt
Pinch of nutmeg
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 egg (or 2 ***flax eggs)
2 tablespoons milk of your choice (this was made with almond milk)
1 ½ tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon coconut oil (or butter), melted
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Icing

1 tablespoon (find it here)
1 tablespoon milk of your choice
1 teaspoon coconut sugar (find it here)
½ teaspoon lemon juice

Directions

Mix all cinnamon roll ingredients in mug, adding the baking powder last.
Microwave on high for 2 minutes.
In the meantime mix all the icing ingredients in a small bowl.
Drizzle icing over hot cinnamon roll.

***Flax eggs are the perfect vegan baking substitute and they’re super easy to make. Process 1tbsp of raw flax seed in a coffee grinder or food processor until you have a fine powder. In a small bowl, add flax powder first and then gradually 3tbsp of cold water stirring as you go (use a fork for this part so you can work on any lumps). Place the mixture in the refrigerator for about an hour so the flax eggs can set. Do not skip that step!!! When your flax egg sets, use it just as you would a regular egg.

Source: The Iron You: (Paleo) Cinnamon Roll In A Mug

The Only Cookie Recipes You’ll Need This Holiday Season (or possibly ever)

Photo credit: patrickkuhl / Foter.com / CC BY
Photo credit: patrickkuhl / Foter.com / CC BY

 

The holiday season is in full swing! Decorations, lights, and of course cookies! I took some time to gather up a few of my absolute favorite cookie recipes. I’m a total sucker for chocolate chip cookies and sugar cookies. Both are perfect additions to any holiday gathering. Unfortunately, we have to face it, store bought cookies are pretty gross, and bakery cookies are pretty expensive. But have no fear. With just a little bit of know how and a little bit of elbow grease, you can make your own winter wonderland of cookie perfection.

First off, baking cookies is all about the dough. The choice of ingredients and proportions can dramatically change the outcome. I came across this amazing infographic on kitchennostalgia.com that perfectly illustrates how your favorite cookies take shape.

The Science Behind the Perfect Cookie

Along with that lovely infographic is one of the most amazing chocolate chip cookie recipes ever. Remember, I’m a sucker for chocolate chip cookies and I highly recommend this recipe. You can check it out here.

But what would Christmas be without a delicious sugar cookie?

http://www.aspicyperspective.com/the-best-sugar-cookie-recipe/
Photo Credit: A Spicy Perspective

This has to be my all time favorite sugar cookie recipe. These are totally delicious and sure to be just as much of a hit at your house as it is at mine. The recipe yields over 40 cookies, and I thought that was overkill until me and the family blazed through them. Now I find myself doubling the recipe (don’t judge us!). Be sure to try the Bourbon glaze. If Bourbon isn’t your thing, try sprinkling a little cinnamon for a little extra oomph.

Photo Credit: homemadehooplah.com
Photo Credit: homemadehooplah.com

This nutella stuffed sugar cookie recipe is quickly becoming a close second favorite in my house. Get the recipe here. You won’t be sorry.

Nothing beats the goodness of a good old fashioned homemade cookie. For more inspiration check out some of the recipes here and here. I haven’t tried all of the recipes yet, but if you do please let me know!