Enjoying a crisp apple in the fall is a hallmark of the harvest season for many. At Taves Family Farms you can find over 10 different varieties of apples grown on 6 acres that are all available to purchase or even to pick yourself. In fact, the Applebarn has been one of the premier u-pick apple destinations in the Fraser Valley for 29 years!

During our visit to the Applebarn at Taves Family Farm we chatted with Loren Taves about all things apples. He let us know that his favourite kind of apple is Jonagold, hands down. And his favourite way to consume apples? Pie of course! “Everyone always likes their moms cooking the best but I really do think my moms pie recipe is the best!” Loren told us as he shared an apple pie recipe from his mom, Alice, that we were lucky enough to try. And we have to agree, it really is the best!

Grandma Alice’s Famous Apple Pie

Crust Ingredients

Enough for two complete pies

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ lb Tenderflake lard

• 1 egg, stirred slightly

• ½ tablespoon vinegar

• ½ cup cold water

Directions

1. Sift the flour and salt together, then cut in the lard with a pastry blender or two knives until the lard is in pea size pieces.

2. In a measuring cup, combine the egg and vinegar and then add cold water. Stir the liquid into the flour mixture, adding just enough to make the dough cling together. Stir with a wooden spoon until mixed thoroughly.

3. Gather the dough into a ball and separate into four portions. Cover and refrigerate for one hour. You can chill it covered overnight, providing you leave it at room temperature for 15 minutes before rolling.

4. Lightly flour surface and roll into circles then pat the dough into pie pans. Be careful not to stretch the dough. This is also a good dough for tarts, but you will want to roll the dough a little thicker!

Filling Ingredients

• 8 cups of Taves apples (Jonagold or Elstar work best!)

• 2 cups white sugar

• 2 cups brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons corn starch

• 2 tablespoons flour

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Peel and cut up enough Jonagold or Elstar apples to make eight cups of apples and place in a microwave safe bowl.

3. Pour the dry ingredients together on top of the apples and mix them in. Cook the combination in the microwave on high for 4-6 minutes, stir well and then cook again until apples are somewhat cooked and sauce is thickened.

4. Let the filling cool and then carefully place it in the pie shell. Add the top layer of crust and cut a few slits in the top.

5. Put a small amount of cream or milk in a bowl and brush the top of the pie with a pastry brush. Sprinkle crust with white sugar before placing the pie in the oven.

6. Bake pie for 15 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, reduce the heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and then bake for another 45 minutes. When finished, the pie should be golden brown on the top and the filling should be bubbling through the slits in the top of the crust!

7. Let cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Optional: we love it with Birchwood Dairy (www.birchwooddairy.com) vanilla ice cream!

Find this recipe and more at www.tavesfamilyfarms.com/recipe/

Special thank you to Samantha Lenz (@snlenz) of Slap Communications for baking this beautiful pie for us! 

Don’t forget to tag @thefraservalley or hashtag #thefraservalley to show us how you enjoyed Grandma Alice’s Apple Pie recipe and any other recipes using local ingredients!