PIE CRUST RINGS RECIPES

Steps:

• Make the batter: Combine milk, egg, flour, baking powder, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and salt into a large mixing bowl, and stir until all of the large clumps are broken up. Set aside. In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/3 cup sugar and 3 teaspoons cinnamon for dusting the finished apple pie rings. Set aside. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat vegetable oil (it should be about an inch deep). As the oil heats—turn it down if it starts to smoke—slice apples into coins. Use a 1-inch biscuit cutter to turn the coins into "rings." Using tongs, dip each apple ring into the batter, then gently lower it into the oil. Once the edges of the apple rings are lightly golden, use the tongs to gently flip rings over and cook the other side (about 1 minute). Remove the browned apple rings from the oil, one at a time, and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain off any excess grease. Sprinkle both sides with the cinnamon-sugar blend.

Steps:

• Dice the butter and return it to the refrigerator while you prepare the flour mixture. Place the flour, salt, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse a few times to mix. Add the butter and shortening. Pulse 8 to 12 times, until the butter is the size of peas. With the machine running, pour the ice water down the feed tube and pulse the machine until the dough begins to form a ball. Dump out on a floured board and roll into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Cut the dough in half. Roll each piece on a well-floured board into a circle, rolling from the center to the edge, turning and flouring the dough to make sure it doesn't stick to the board. Fold the dough in half, place in a pie pan, and unfold to fit the pan. Repeat with the top crust.