Let’s Make Apple Pie from Disney’s Whispering Canyon Café

Saturday is my cooking day. The day when everything slows down just a tiny bit, and I get to put my creative mind to work recreating some of my favorite Disney recipes. Most weekends, it is a ritual usually accompanied by a family movie night, though this time around, I’m working with limited time. I’ve been watching all of the holiday decorations and merchandise arrive at Disney Parks, and it’s making me hungry for some of my cold-weather favorites.

This week, my Saturday cooking session will use the D23 recipe for apple pie from the Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Let’s see what we are going to need to make one 9-inch pie:

PIE CRUST
4 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
1/4 cup shortening
1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon coarse salt
1/3 cup 2% milk

APPLES
1 cup water
6 granny smith apples, peeled and sliced
2 teaspoons apple pie spice

APPLE PIE BATTER
1/2 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar
2 egg
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup heavy cream

FOR PIE CRUST:

1. Combine butter, shortening, flour, sugar, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix at medium speed until crumbly.
2. Add milk and mix until incorporated.
3. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
4. Roll to 1/4-inch thickness and place in a 9-inch pie plate.
5. Set aside.

FOR APPLES:

1. Bring water to simmer in a large pot.
2. Place apples in a steamer basket and add to pot. Steam for 10 minutes. Remove from water.
3. Cool to room temperature and toss with apple pie spice.

FOR APPLE PIE BATTER:

1. Cream butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until fluffy. Add eggs and mix until just incorporated.
2. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. Slowly add to mixer and beat on medium speed until combined.
3. Add cream and mix until smooth.
4. Set aside until ready to bake.

FOR APPLE PIE:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Place 1/2 cup apple pie batter on top of pie crust, spread until smooth. Top with apples and remaining apple pie batter.
2. Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake 20 more minutes, until golden brown.
3. Cool to room temperature before serving.

What do you like to serve with your pie? In my house, we are an ice cream family through and through. However, I know some people prefer to use cream and custard with their seasonally warm desserts. Let me know your preference, and I might just give it a try!