When I was a kid I never really looked forward to Fall. We usually moved during the summer so starting school was pretty scary, then there was the whole added challenge of trying to make new friends. The one thing I did look forward to, however, was the announcement of the new Saturday morning cartoons in September. Saturday mornings were the same no matter where we were. The TV went on as soon as one of us was awake and being a fairly large family we definitely had to learn the art of voting and negotiating and manipulating in order to watch the show we wanted. Every fall the new TV Guide would arrive and I would scour it trying to decide what would be the new "it" cartoon. I know it's silly, but it was a constant for years.
My son told me yesterday that, for the first time in decades, there are no longer Saturday morning cartoons. With people able to watch the TV they want, wherever and whenever they want, it leaves time for other activities on the weekend. We aren't limited to a certain time of day anymore to watch. I guess it's been a long time coming, but it is still strange to me to think that kids aren't gathered around their television sets on Saturday mornings anymore, collectively getting hypnotized like I was. It's probably a good thing, but it does make me nostalgic for those times sitting with my brother and sisters arguing over what we were going to watch next.
One thing that does not change, and probably never will when it comes to Fall, is apple season. I found this fantastic recipe for Caramel Apple Pie on King Arthur Flour (one of my go-to baking sites). It did not disappoint. The original recipe calls for homemade pie crusts, but I was feeling a bit lazy so I did it with store-bought. It definitely makes the recipe much simpler. Another thing that would help is one of those old-fashioned apple slicers. Unfortunately, I do not have one of those, but if you do, get it out and dust it off and go make this pie. You won't be sorry.
Caramel Apple Pie
CRUST
2 refrigerated ready-made pie crusts or use a recipe for your own homemade pie crust
FILLING
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 - 2 pounds apples, peeled and sliced thinly
1/2 cup caramel apple dip
2 tablespoons cream or milk
STREUSEL
1 cup flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold
Preheat oven to 375°F.
FILLING:
Mix together the sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Add in the apple slices and stir. Mix 2 tablespoons of the caramel apple dip with the cream or milk. Add to the apples and toss together.
STREUSEL:
Mix the flour and sugar. Use your fingers or pastry blender to add in the butter until crumbly.
PIE:
Lay one of the pie crusts into a 9" pie plate. Spoon in the apple mixture and sprinkle with the streusel topping.
Cut the second pie crust into 2" wide strips, and weave a lattice crust. Seal and crimp the edges.
Bake for 45-55 mins until golden brown. Cool the pie for at least 2 hours before serving. Warm up the remaining caramel apple dip and drizzle over each slice.
