Easy Ways to Make Pies 

Fruit pies are one of family favourites – and there are thousands of recipes available. I like simple things – and believe me – there is a simple way to make good old-fashioned fruit pies. starting with a great homemade crust is the key to success – here is the best ever pie crust recipe I use for every pie I make – and that includes meat pies and cream pies. And if you use it when making tarts – everyone is likely to tell you that your tarts are the best they ever tasted!

Best Ever Flaky Pie Crust Recipe

Making Easy Fruit Pies:

1. Choose the fruit filling from ingredient recipe below
2. Roll out your pie dough into 2 rounds – about 1/4 inch thick each
3. Press one into a pie plate
4. Toss fruit with all other ingredients together and scrape into pie shell
5. You can dott the fruit filling with 2 tablespoons of butter if desired
6. Top with the second pie crust dough, trim, crimp and flute edges
7. Cut steam vents
8. Brush with whipping cream or egg yolk beaten with little water
9. Sprinkle with sugar if desired
10. Bake on a rack in lower third of your oven at 425F for 15 minutes, reduce heat to 350F and bake until pastry is golden and filling bubbly – about 35-40 minutes

Fruit Pie Fillings:

Apple:

• 8 cups of thinly sliced peeled apples
• 1/2 cup of granulated or brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons of flour
• 2 tablespoon of lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons of cinnamon

Cherry:

• 5 cups of sweet or sour cherries – pitted
• 1-1/2 cups of granulated sugar (you can reduce sugar to 3/.4 cup for sweet cherries)
• 1/4 cup of cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon of almond extract

Peach or Nectarine:

• 6 cups of peeled, sliced peached or nectarines
• 3/4 cups of granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon each of nutmeg and ginger

Rhubarb:

• 5 cups of chopped rhubarb
• 1-1/2 cups of granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup of cornstarch
• Pinch of salt

Strawberry, Raspberry,Blueberry or Gooseberry:

• 4 cups of berries
• 1-1/2 cups of granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons of cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons of cinnamon
• pinch of salt

Note: You can mix fruits as well – for example – if you decide to make rhubarb strawberry pie, use the rhubarb fruit filling recipe, reduce rhubarb by about a third and replace with strawberries

It really is this easy to make great old fashioned homemade pies!

Hope you enjoyed this easy guide – I will most certainly appreciate your comments, suggestions and experiences!