Scratch Apple Pie with Cheated Crust
So, y’all are just going to hate me.
I cheated.
I made an apple pie.
Well…
The pie wasn’t the cheating part.
Husband did the actual work because I was sick. But even that isn’t the cheating part because he has his own little section here on YUM even if it is a little dusty *achoo*
But, I was bad.
I cheated with the crust. I just didn’t have the energy to really tell him how to make a clean, from scratch crust so we used one of those cute little Jiffy box mixes. You know, the little blue boxes? My grandma used to use them. So cute. I saved the box so kiddo can use it down in the basement in her play kitchen. I keep a few on hand because they are 25 cents at the clearance center I shop at. You never know when a situation is going to come up!
We had to have our apple trees removed (really long story) and husband was able to save a couple small apples from the destruction. He wanted to bake a small apple pie in tribute. I don’t have a lot of experience with apple pies so this really was a ‘top of my head’ type thing. Being sick was no help.
I think he did a pretty good job with the crust and me barking sickly orders. I did put too much butter in it, but I reduced it in the recipe below.
What do you think?
Sugar-Free Apple Pie Filling
Ingredients
- 8 very small apples cored and diced
- 1 1/2 tbsp butter
- 3 tsp cinnamon
- 5 tsp apple pie spice
- 3/4 c brown sugar alternative
- 1/2 c zero calorie sweetener
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in bowl.
- Using pie crust of your choice, follow directions and place bottom in pie pan.
- Pour apple mixture on top of pie crust.
- Place pie crust on top of pie mixture.
- Make a few slices in pie crust to vent.
- Sprinkle with apple pie spice.
- Bake at 350 for 40 minutes OR according to your pie crust instructions.
Nothing wrong with “cheating” here and there – especially when you’re sick and need the help. I don’t have a pasta press so I can’t make any noodles from scratch yet (though I would really prefer to). So I settle for gluten free or whole grain or made from veggie pasta and just make everything else from scratch. The jiffy mixes can come in really handy and I too keep a few of each on hand just in case – they are super cheap and easy to use and if my kids need to make dinner while I’m away it gives them more than Mac n cheese to work with 🙂
The only noodles I make from scratch are the noodles in our chicken noodle soup. I buy whole grain pasta. We did have some ramen the other night as I was redoing a recipe in a magazine. I think the 80/20 rule is a good rule to follow.
That pie looks awfully good! I agree that there is nothing wrong with cheating now and again 🙂 So, when are you coming over with my slice of pie?
A girls got to do what a girls got to do.
Oh you know, just as soon as I find that hidden money tree growing in my backyard 😉 lol
Cheating works for me. I had been sick for about two straight weeks. I was just thankful Halloween came in there so I knew my kids would have something to eat for a couple of days. I should have sent them around for casseroles instead of candy, but I figured that might look desperate. As for the pie this looks delicious. I’ve never used a Jiffy mix, but I know what you are talking about. I’ll have to try this one, it looks super yummy!
I figure if the insides are healthy and you have to trade for a no-so crust, it’s better than it all being not healthy. I live by the 80/20 rule and I do my very best.
I like the casserole idea. We should invent our own fall holiday!
It can NEVER be considered cheating when our sweetie is helping out! The recipe looks yummy and the story is a delight. Stopping by from The Yuck Stops Here Party. Carrie, A Mother’s Shadow
I cheat a lot!! LOL Nothing wrong with that! The pie sounds delish and kuddos to hubby for helping out!
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Totally nothing wrong with cheating. I do it all the time with foods since I hate being in the kitchen for too long.