A classic pie with the perfect crunchy, crumbled topping.
Let dough sit on counter for 15-20 minutes, then unroll carefully and flip into a pie pan, fluting the edges as desired. Cover the dough with removed parchment paper and weigh down with pie weights or dry rice or beans. Blind bake about 15 minutes at 425°F or until light brown; take out of oven and remove paper and weights. Bake for additional 3-5 minutes. Cool on cooling rack.
If you don’t have or want to use pie weights, carefully prick the bottom and sides with a fork many times to prevent air bubbles. Don’t use a fork if your pie will be filled with a super moist filling, as the tiny holes will allow filling to soften the dough.
Note: You can store used dry beans or dry rice in a special container and mark it as 'pie weights.’ You can use them for additional blind baking sessions, but you cannot use them for regular meals anymore.
Use a heat-resistant glass or ceramic pie pan for the flakiest results. Single use aluminum shells don’t get as hot and won’t give you the same results.
Bake the pie on the middle rack or in the lower third of the oven.
Insert a knife tip to test if the pie filling is done. If some filling sticks on the knife the pie is not done yet. Add more baking time and repeat test in 5 min. intervals.
To prevent excess browning of the edges during baking, place the pie dish on a large sheet of aluminum foil. Mold foil lightly around the edges of the pie 20 minutes into baking; then continue to bake as directed.
To unroll the dough, remove dough from package and gently separate the dough and parchment paper from the roll, so that the dough on paper begins to lay flat. Be careful not to separate the dough from the parchment paper. There may be some sticking, but the dough and paper should easily pull away from the roll.
Once the dough is lying flat on the baking tray, cut off or tuck any excess paper under, so it does not hang over the edge.
Do not over handle the pie crust as it toughens the dough. Use our enclosed parchment paper to flip the dough in the pie pan, and use only your fingertips when shaping it. Avoid using the warmer palms of the hand
If your pie recipe calls for a super moist filling, you can blind-bake the crust and then moisture-proof it, to avoid sogginess.
Brush dough with a bit of egg white before it goes in the oven, or even right after it comes out of the oven. Moist fillings won’t soften the dough and it stays firm.
You can also distribute about 3 tablespoons of breadcrumbs on the bottom before you add the moist filling to the dough. The breadcrumbs absorb some of the moisture and help to keep the dough dry and for a flakier result.
Don’t prick the dough with a fork if you want to moisture proof it.
1. Filling: Peel and core the apples; cut each in half, and cut each half into 4 wedges. Toss the apples with lemon juice in a large bowl. Mix granulated sugar, flour, salt and all spices, then pour it over apples and toss until evenly spread.
2. Melt the butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the apple mix, and cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to simmer, about 2 minutes. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the apples soften and release most of their juices. Simmer until it has thickened and lightly caramelized, about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally. Set aside and cool completely.
3. For the streusel topping: Whisk the flour, sugar and salt together in a medium bowl. Add the butter, and rub it into the flour mixture with your fingers until it has been absorbed. Mix in the walnuts and knead some more.
4. To assemble the pie: Take the refrigerated Pie Crust Dough out of the fridge 15 min. before usage. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Unroll the tempered Pie Crust Dough. With the help of the parchment paper, flip the dough into a 9-in. pan. Remove paper and press dough to bottom and sides. Fold in dough and crimp the edges as desired. Add the apple filling and spread it out evenly. Drop clumps of streusel topping on top to completely cover.
5. Bake the pie on the lower rack and on a baking sheet until the crust and streusel are golden brown, about 50 to 60 minutes. If the top starts to get brown too quickly, cover with foil until end of baking time. Let it cool on a cooling rack and serve at room temperature.