Arpeggiated Apple Pie

This apple pie recipe has to be one of the most unusual and most delicious ones I have ever come across. A lover of animal crackers, I was intrigued by the incorporation of this kid-friendly classic.

Ingredients

filling

2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced

4 Golden Delicious apples, peeled and thinly sliced

1 1/3 cups sugar

1/2 tsp salt

6 Tbsps instant tapioca

2 Tsps cinnamon

3 Tbsps fresh lemon juice

crust

1 1/2 cups animal crackers

3 1/2 flour

1 stick vegan butter (Earth Balance)

1 stick vegan shortening (Earth Balance)

6 Tbsps ice water

Glaze

3/4 cup reserved apple juice (from filling)

2 Tbsps fresh lemon juice

1 Tbsp vegan butter

1 1/4 cups confectioner's sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a pie dish and set aside.

Filling: In a large bowl, combine the apples, sugar and salt. Set aside for about 30 minutes to allow the apples to release their juices. Collect 3/4 cup of the apple juice and set aside for glaze.

After you remove your apple juice, toss the apples with the cinnamon, tapioca, and lemon juice.

Crust: In a food processor, combine the flour, 1 stick of butter, and 1 stick of shortening. Process until a coarse meal has formed. Gradually add in the ice water until the dough has formed. Remove dough, divide into two halves and set aside. Using the food processor again, crush the animal crackers and sugar until they become a powdery consistency. Dust your work surface with the animal cracker mixture and roll out your first slab of dough on top of it. Place the rolled out dough in the prepared pie dish. Poke holes in the bottom of the dough with the tines of a fork. Pour the apple filling into the pie dish on top of the crust. Re-dust your work surface with the animal crackers and roll out the other half of the dough to create the top crust. Place the dough on top of the pie filling, trim and seal the edges. Cut vents into the top of the pie to allow for heat to escape. Bake for about 1 hour or until the pie is golden brown.

Glaze: Simmer the reserved apple juice over medium heat until it has reduced to about 1/4 its amount. Remove form heat and stir in lemon juice and butter. Whisk in confectioner's sugar and brush the glaze on top of the pie once it has come out of the oven. Allow the pie to cool completely before serving (the cooling process will allow for the glaze to set). Enjoy!

Music suggestions:

• I'll Fly Away- O Brother, Where Art Thou?: The Kossoy Sisters
• Big Rock Candy Mountain- Harry McClintock