Apple Squares

My mom has been making these every year for Thanksgiving for as long as I can remember. Its like apple pie, but SQUARE....haha. A lot of work, but definitely worth it!

Crust:

5 C. flour

2 t. salt

1/4 c. sugar

Combine in a bowl and set aside.

2 c. shortening

2 slightly beaten egg yolks

milk

In a liquid measuring cup, mix egg yolk and milk to add up to 1 1/3 cup. Add to dry ingredients. Add shortening and form into a soft ball handling as little as possible. Divide the dough in half. Roll out the 1st half of dough to fit into a cookie sheet with some up over the sides. (tip from my mom: If you roll the dough on a piece of saran wrap the size of your cookie sheet this keeps the dough from being handled too much.). Extend the dough up the sides of the pan and cut off the excess. Make the apple filling and spoon on top of dough in cookie sheet.

Apple filling:

2 quarts peeled sliced apples (8 cups)

1 1/3 c. sugar

5 T. cornstarch

1/4 t. salt

2 t. cinnamon

Mix together and place in cookie sheet on top of dough. "Dot" the top with about 2 T of cold butter.

Roll out 2nd half of dough and place over the top to cover filling, cutting the excess off of the sides. Brush the top with slightly beaten egg whites.

Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes and then 250 degrees for 10 minutes. Spread with glaze while warm.

Glaze:

2 c. powdered sugar

2/4 T. water

1/2 t. vanilla

Enjoy!!!

Microwave Apple Crisp

The funny thing about this recipe is that it's one that I learned in my "home-ec" class in like 8th grade. (do they still call it "home-ec"?). It is a recipe that is so quick and easy that I pull it out all the time when I am in a pinch, or when I am just craving something sweet and I don't feel like pulling out all the pans and mixing bowls...you know those kind of days???

Microwave Apple Crisp

4 c. sliced, peeled apples (I use granny smith's and I don't always peel them - again depends on my mood).

2 T. lemon juice

Mix together in a 8x8 or 9x9 glass (or other microwave safe material) casserole dish. Microwave until apples are tender-crisp. (About 4 minutes). Set aside.

1/2 c. packed brown sugar

1/2 c. uncooked old fashioned oats

1/4 c. all purpose flour

1/4 c. butter

1 t. salt

1/8 t. ground nutmeg

Mix together in a microwave safe bowl, and microwave until hot and bubbly (2-3 minutes), stirring after half the time. Be careful! Mixture will be hot!!! (I know from personal experience because I like to eat the crumb topping plain, and usually can't wait for it to cool before I pop a bite into my mouth!)

Sprinkle mixture over apples and let cool slightly. Top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream and enjoy.