Welcome October : Brown Bag Apple Pie Recipe

October 3, 2012

Posted 09/12

To officially welcome my favorite month of the year, Gabe and I started a tradition with our little family. Apple Picking in the north GA mountains, stock a bag as full as we can get it, and make a Brown Bag Apple Pie with the loot…

Gabe grew up in the Milwaukee area, miles from where The Elegant Farmer and Brown Bag Apple Pie recipe originated. Before they got big and famous he would visit their farm every fall.

They actually sell the well known pies on their site, and let me tell you….

its the best apple pie you will ever have. Even the Wall Street Journal says so;)

No pie can really quite meet the standard of The Elegant Farmer,

but people have tried. We adapted this recipe:

Crust:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
Pinch salt
1 cup cold unsalted butter (2 sticks), cut into pieces
1/3 cup ice water
(or you can cheat and buy frozen crusts like we do sometimes, but it won’t be the same.)

Filling:

5 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and thickly sliced

(we used our apple farm apples-7medium – as long as you the pile high since they shrink down)
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
Supplies: 9-inch aluminum pie pan, 1 medium-sized brown paper bag

Make the Crust: In a food processor combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the butter and pulse until pea-sized pieces appear. Add the water and pulse briefly—it will still look crumbly. Transfer the crumbs to 2 pieces of parchment paper or foil and form into 2 disks. Wrap the discs with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

On a work surface lightly dusted with flour, roll out 1 disk to a circle about 1/8-inch thick. Keep rolling until the circle is at least 2 inches larger than your pan. Line the pie pan with the dough, letting the edge hang over a bit. Roll the second disk, place it on a sheet pan and chill it until you’re ready to build your pie.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Make the Filling: In a medium bowl, toss the apple slices, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg together. Transfer to the pie shell and dot with the butter. Brush the edges of the dough with water. Cover with the rolled-out top crust and pinch the edges together, turning them under all around to make a thick edge. Press with fork around or pinch for decorative edge. We usually cut a few leaf shapes out of the top for venting.

Slide the pie into the brown paper bag, fold the top down, and staple bag shut. Place it on a sheet pan. Bake for 1 hour.

Remove the pie from the oven and cut a large circle in top of the bag. Return to the oven and bake until the crust is golden brown, about 15 minutes more.

Let the pie cool ~~as long as you can stand waiting~~ at least 30 minutes before serving.

The poor pie didn’t even last long enough to be admired. It was gone in a few days. Hope you get the chance to try this over the holidays. You will never go back to any other pie…
Love, Anna

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KK says:

October 3, 2012 at 12:48 pm

Anna, we just watched the Food Network “Bobby Flay Throwdown” on the Paperbag Apple Pie…and Sean’s mouth has been watering ever since! Thanks for posting a recipie, I know we need to try it!!

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seriouslysassymama.com says:

October 3, 2012 at 12:51 pm

I have never heard of this, and apple pie is my all time most favorite pie!

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Megan Wait says:

October 3, 2012 at 12:54 pm

It must have smelled great, because it looks absolutely heavenly.

And the fact that you have the memories of you guys picking the apples must have made it just so much more special!

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eatdrinkshoplove says:

October 3, 2012 at 12:57 pm

I love apple pie! This looks amazing.

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Tiffany @ Savor Home says:

October 3, 2012 at 12:59 pm

That looks so good! I’m headed to Mercier’s in the mountains at the end of the month, so I may try this when I get back!

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Beth @ dot...in the city says:

October 3, 2012 at 1:09 pm

Yum! There’s nothing like a homemade apple pie!

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Sam [The Peak of Tres Chic] says:

October 3, 2012 at 1:26 pm

lovely pictures of your fam- and that apple pie sounds delish!

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Heidi says:

October 3, 2012 at 1:32 pm

Looks yummy, I just might have to try the paper bag method. Thanks for sharing! -Heidi

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Jen says:

October 3, 2012 at 1:44 pm

Mmmmm. I’m definitely going to try that!

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Audra says:

October 3, 2012 at 1:48 pm

Pie looks amazing and THOSE pictures of your family…..BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

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Sheila@TheFailteHouse says:

October 3, 2012 at 2:00 pm

This looks so delicious! Going to try this in a few weeks for a fall festival party 🙂 Also – beautiful photos, Anna!

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Francine says:

October 3, 2012 at 2:10 pm

I’ve never done a homemade pie, but really want to. Maybe I’ll get ambitious this weekend. Looks like a great recipe!

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Becca | Lowlife Couture says:

October 3, 2012 at 2:15 pm

Apple pie, my hubby’s absolute favorite!! He will be so happy when I try this!

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Kayla C says:

October 3, 2012 at 3:09 pm

Mmm, that pie looks delicious! Y-U-M!

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CP and KW says:

October 3, 2012 at 3:22 pm

these photos are just killing me, they’re so cute!
kw, Ladies in Navy

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Flora and Fauna says:

October 3, 2012 at 3:40 pm

Now you have me craving an apple pie bad! Such lovely photos too! You have a gorgeous family! xo

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Lilly says:

October 3, 2012 at 3:52 pm

I think I’m drooling a little 😉 The pie looks SO yummy!
Great pictures too!

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Martina says:

October 3, 2012 at 5:23 pm

This cake looks just right for october – must try it! Happy midweek!

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Brynn {chartreuse and a twist} says:

October 3, 2012 at 5:31 pm

MMM…i have NEVER baked a pie…ever! i can cook up a mad storm in the kitchen, but baking has never been my thing {it could have something to do with my impatience!}…although, i CAN bake when i really put my mind to it & when i see something i really want to make – like this! you may have just inspired me to put on my apron & roll up my sleeves 😉 XO brynn

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Connie | Daydream In Color says:

October 3, 2012 at 5:43 pm

Oooh! I must make this pie. What a sweet tradition. Hopefully, we’ll head to some apple farms this year.

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Clarissa Fidler says:

October 3, 2012 at 5:53 pm

Thanks for sharing this recipe! I went apple picking this past weekend as well so it couldn’t be a more perfect time to try it.

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The Bookness says:

October 3, 2012 at 5:58 pm

Oh october! =) I love it. Your photos are beautiful as always. Such a pretty family. Inspire me.

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Alex says:

October 3, 2012 at 7:27 pm

Oh man I love apple pie. LOVE. Definitely going to try this guy 🙂

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Nicole Marie says:

October 3, 2012 at 7:55 pm

could your family be any cuter… definitely going to miss baking while living in spain. i still can’t believe i dont have an oven here

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Ashley says:

October 3, 2012 at 8:02 pm

Oh, wow, I’m excited to try this!

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Karm says:

October 3, 2012 at 9:33 pm

Thanks for sharing. That pie looks so good!!

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Hannah Margaret Allen says:

October 3, 2012 at 10:21 pm

How yummy! I am so glad to find you through Meg. You’ve got a spectacular blog.

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Emily Lynne {The Best of this Life} says:

October 4, 2012 at 1:00 am

Looks like Little A. and Little Gabe would get along!! Lovely pictures from the Orchard and that pie…oh my 😉

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Mat says:

October 4, 2012 at 12:50 pm

it’s great to get new versions of one of my fav desserts ever. will send this over to my gf, see if she fancies having a go.

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Denise Lopatka says:

October 4, 2012 at 12:58 pm

these pictures are great anna! your family is beautiful. and i love this tradition yall have. my hubby and i pick strawberries every spring and make all kinds of goodness with them 🙂

xox

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JoAnna of re-U creating new spaces says:

October 4, 2012 at 1:31 pm

Oh looks so yummy! It wouldn’t last long in my house either! And It’s just me and my husband! 🙂 My mom makes a REALLY good apple pie – she’s somewhat famous for it in my hometown 🙂

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Hena Tayeb says:

October 4, 2012 at 2:41 pm

So cute.. and that pie looks really good.

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Stephanie @ henry happened says:

October 4, 2012 at 3:26 pm

I bet it’s even tastier when the kids pick the apples themselves!

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michele says:

October 4, 2012 at 4:41 pm

it looks absolutely scrumptious, and i am fatter just from gazing at that gorgeous pie!

hope you’ll visit soon.

michele

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Jen of MadeByGirl says:

October 4, 2012 at 5:37 pm

Love this time of year as well! The apple pie looks amazing! Will need to try the recipe 🙂

Madebygirl.blogspot.com
MadeByGirl.com

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sherri lynn says:

October 5, 2012 at 12:40 am

I haven’t made apple pie yet this fall, but my husband has been dropping hints that he would like one 😉 This one looks delicious! Your family time at the orchard looks like so much fun. we have a tradition of going to the apple orchard each fall and I’m excited to be able to include our kids in that one day!

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Mallorie Owens says:

October 5, 2012 at 3:22 am

What a great tradition to start! I’ve always wanted to make my own pie, might have to go for it this season. Lovely pictures!

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Nicole @ Happy Pretty Things says:

October 6, 2012 at 8:42 am

That pie has my name all over it – thanks for sharing, I can’t wait to try this recipe! 🙂

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Zhanna Frid says:

October 8, 2012 at 1:50 am

What a beautiful family and amazing pictures!
XO,
Zhanna
http://www.lifeandbows.com

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Katy Dornbos
says:

December 19, 2016 at 8:28 pm

Anna, this recipe (both the crust and the filling) is still my go-to every year…or more than once a year! I have passed it on to cousins and my high school student and friends. Thanks again for sharing. I think because you’re not a ‘straight-up food blog’ I trust your food recs even more than normal, because if they made it here, they must be reeeal good!

All the best to you and your family this Christmas.

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