APPLE VARIETIES FOR PIE RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, roll out pate brisee into two 1/8-inch-thick circles to a diameter slightly larger than that of an 11-inch plate. Press one pastry circle into the pie plate. Place the other circle on waxed paper, and cover with plastic wrap. Chill all pastry until firm, about 30 minutes.
• In a large bowl, combine apples, sugar, lemon zest and juice, spices, and flour. Toss well. Spoon apples into pie pan. Dot with butter, and cover with remaining pastry circle. Cut several steam vents across top. Seal by crimping edges as desired. Brush with beaten egg, and sprinkle with additional sugar.
• Bake until crust is brown and juices are bubbling, about 1 hour. Let cool on wire rack before serving.

Steps:

• For the pie crust: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. With a pastry cutter, gradually cut the cold butter into the flour until pea-sized pieces form. In a small bowl, combine the cold water and apple cider vinegar. Add the vinegar mixture to the flour/butter mixture 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing gently in between each addition. Stir together until all of the ingredients are incorporated and the mixture holds together when pinched with your fingers. Turn the mixture out onto a clean countertop and knead 4 to 5 times until combined. Divide the dough into two evenly sized balls and flatten each to a disk shape, about 1/2-inch thick (with minimal cracks). Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours (or up to 2 days).
• Preheat the oven to 425˚ and place a baking sheet on the bottom rack.
• Roll out the remaining disk of dough on a floured surface into a 13-inch round. Carefully lay the dough over the filling, fold the overhanging dough under the overhang from the bottom crust, and crimp the edges of the crust using a fork. Cut a few 1-inch slits in the top crust (to release the steam). Brush the top of the pie with heavy cream. 
• Place the pie on the preheated baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350˚ and bake, rotating halfway through, until the filling is bubbly and the crust is golden brown, 50 to 60 more minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool about 2 hours before slicing.