Apple And Dried Cranberry Pie

Total Time: 2 hrs Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins

Ingredients

• 1 double crust pie crust (mean chef's classic pie crust, classic pie crust, idiot proof step-by-step photo tutorial)
• 8 -10 granny smith apples or 8 -10 pippin apples, peeled,cored,and sliced
• 1 cup dried sweetened cranberries (craisins) or 1 cup dried sweetened sour cherries
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 -2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 cup good brandy
• 2 tablespoons butter, cut in small pieces
• heavy cream or milk or egg wash, for brushing top of crust
• sugar, for sprinkling top of crust (preferably coarse sanding sugar) (optional)
• chunks of cold sharp cheddar cheese or premium vanilla ice cream, as accompaniment (optional)

Recipe

• 1 *mean chef's pie crust recipe is one of the best i've ever run across, or use your favorite.
• 2 prepare pie dough and refrigerate at least 2 hours, while preparing and cooling filling; better yet, refrigerate dough overnight.
• 3 to prepare filling, toss apple slices with dried cranberries or cherries in a microwave-safe bowl, and drizzle with lemon juice, melted butter, and honey, toss again, and sprinkle with sugar, spices, and cornstarch.
• 4 drizzle with brandy, and toss again.
• 5 cover, and microwave on high for 8-10 minutes, tossing well and turning after 4-5 minutes.
• 6 toss again, cover, and allow to cool completely or refrigerate overnight, roll out top and bottom crusts between pieces of lightly floured wax paper, and lay bottom crust into a 9" glass pie plate that has been lightly greased or coated with nonstick spray.
• 7 press crust gently into bottom of pie pan, and trim about 1" larger than pan.
• 8 brush edge of crust with water, stir and add filling, and top with small pieces of butter.
• 9 lay on top crust, trim to same size as the bottom crust, and gently press the edges together.
• 10 fold edge under, and crimp decoratively as desired.
• 11 cut several small steam vents in crust, brush lightly with cream, milk, or egg wash, and sprinkle lightly with sugar.
• 12 place pie on a baking sheet to catch any spills, and place in a preheated 425 degree f oven.
• 13 bake for 20 minutes, reduce heat to 375 degrees f, and bake for another 20 minutes.
• 14 check pie, and if browning too fast, cover loosely with aluminum foil.
• 15 continue to bake for another 20 minutes or until crust is crisp and nicely browned.
• 16 remove from oven, and place pie pan on a wire rack to cool.
• 17 serve warm or at room temperature, with a big chunk of sharp cheddar cheese or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired.