Apple Pie

Months ago I went to an orchard and made so many apple recipes with the fresh apples that I hand picked. I decided to make a pie, but I wanted to save it for later. I froze the unbaked pie and recently baked it so now I get to enjoy apple pie in January with the same fresh apples picked in the fall.

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Stars!

Ingredients:
2 1/4 c. flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 c. shortening
1/2 c. butter
5-7 Tbsp ice cold water
6 c. thinly sliced, peeled apples
3/4 c. sugar
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Recipe:
Mix flour and salt in a large bowl. Cut in butter and shortening until you get coarse crumbles. Add the water a tablespoon at a time until the mixture clings together. Press into a ball and divide the dough in half. Shape each into a 1/2 in. thick round, wrap with plastic wrap, and refrigerate 10-15 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Toss the apples with sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.

Roll out one dough round to fit into a 9 inch pie plate. Fill with the apple mixture and roll out the other dough round to place over filling. Trim and flute the crust edges.

Cut several slits near the center to let steam escape. I cut out leaves and overlaid them on the holes.
Bake 45-50 minutes.

*I froze the unbaked pie and it kept for several months. Just make sure to wrap it tightly before freezing. Bake frozen pie at 475 degrees F. for 15 minutes, reduce heat to 375 degrees and bake 45 minutes longer.

Cinnamon Rolls

I've made these before and even had them on my blog, but I really wanted to feature them again. The cinnamon roll recipe is the same, but I did change up the frosting a little.

Ingredients:
Dough:
3/4 c. + 2 Tbsp warm water
2 Tbsp softened butter
2 1/2 c. flour
1/4 c. sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp yeast

Filling:
1/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbsp butter

Frosting:
6 oz. cream cheese
1/2 stick of butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Recipe:
I used a bread machine to prepare the dough. If you have a bread machine load it with the dough ingredients (in the order listed), set it on dough cycle, and let it work away for an hour and a half.

If you don't have a bread machine you have to knead it by hand, and let the dough rise for about and hour until it has doubled in size.

When the dough is finished, roll it out to a 9x13 in. rectangle. Mix together the sugar, cinnamon and butter. Spread the mixture evenly over the dough.

Then tightly roll up the side. Cut into one inch slices. Place in a 9x13 in. pan that is slightly greased, cover with plastic wrap, and set them aside to rise for an hour.

Remove plastic and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Frost them after they have cooled slightly.
(Makes about 12 rolls)