Traditional Shaker-Style Apple Pie Recipe
**Traditional Shaker-Style Apple Pie Recipe: A Timeless Classic**
The Shakers, a religious community known for their simple, functional, and beautiful craftsmanship, left an indelible mark on American culture. Their influence extended beyond furniture and architecture to the culinary world, where their recipes reflected the same values of simplicity, purity, and practicality. One of the most beloved contributions from the Shaker kitchen is the traditional Shaker-style apple pie.
This pie is a celebration of the apple in its purest form, with minimal ingredients that allow the natural sweetness and tartness of the fruit to shine. The recipe is straightforward, yet the result is a deeply flavorful and comforting dessert that has stood the test of time. Let’s dive into the history, ingredients, and step-by-step process of making this timeless classic.
### A Brief History of the Shakers and Their Culinary Traditions
The Shakers, formally known as the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, were a religious sect that originated in England in the 18th century and later settled in the United States. They were known for their communal lifestyle, celibacy, and devotion to simplicity and order. Their motto, “Hands to work, hearts to God,” was reflected in every aspect of their lives, including their cooking.
Shaker cooking was based on the principles of frugality, efficiency, and the use of fresh, local ingredients. They grew much of their own food and were known for their meticulous gardening practices. Their recipes were often simple but flavorful, relying on the natural taste of the ingredients rather than elaborate seasonings or techniques.
The Shaker-style apple pie is a perfect example of this philosophy. It uses just a few basic ingredients—apples, sugar, flour, butter, and spices—to create a dessert that is both humble and delicious.
### Ingredients for Shaker-Style Apple Pie
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You don’t need any fancy ingredients or equipment—just fresh apples and a few pantry staples. Here’s what you’ll need:
#### For the Pie Crust:
– 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
– 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small cubes
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1 tablespoon sugar
– 6-8 tablespoons ice water
#### For the Filling:
– 6-7 medium-sized apples (a mix of tart and sweet varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Golden Delicious)
– ¾ cup granulated sugar
– 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, to balance sweetness)
– 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
#### For the Egg Wash (optional):
– 1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon of water
– 1 tablespoon coarse sugar for sprinkling (optional)
### Step-by-Step Instructions
#### 1. Prepare the Pie Crust
The first step in making a traditional Shaker-style apple pie is preparing the crust. The Shakers were known for their attention to detail, and a well-made, flaky pie crust is essential to this recipe.
– **Combine dry ingredients**: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar.
– **Cut in the butter**: Add the chilled butter cubes to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter.
– **Add ice water**: Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently with a fork or your hands until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
– **Chill the dough**: Divide the dough into two equal portions, shape them into discs, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 days). This step ensures a flaky crust.
#### 2. Prepare the Apple Filling
While the dough is chilling, you can prepare the apple filling. The Shakers believed in using fresh, seasonal ingredients, and apples were a staple in their kitchens.
– **Peel and slice the apples**: Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. Aim for slices that are about ¼ inch thick to ensure even cooking.
– **Mix the filling**: In a large bowl, toss the apple slices with sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice (if using). The flour helps thicken the juices released by the apples as they bake, while the spices add warmth and depth of flavor.
#### 3. Assemble the Pie
Now it’s time to bring everything together.
– **Roll out the dough**: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one of the chilled dough discs into a 12-inch circle.