“Moms”Apple Slices

I can still remember sitting in the front yard of our family farmhouse shucking corn, peeling potatoes, or pulling string beans from the vine with my mom while we talked about life’s little worries. That’s what’s great about moms! And my mom was an amazing woman. She was born in an era when all things were made from scratch. That was the way her mother taught her to cook and she never forgot how it was done. She taught me to be that way, too. She was one of the original farm-to-table cooks. Even when the food industry began to create and market ready-made items, she remained true to the way of cooking that she learned at her mother’s knee.  

My niece, Stacy, (who has an amazing blog of her own called Girl With a View), used to say my mother could take a seed, grow a pumpkin, pluck it from the garden, and turn it into a pie with no trouble at all. And she often did just that!

Mom made it look easy. She had the ability to make everything turn out “just right.” Some of it stuck with me, but some–I’m afraid–did not. She tried to teach me, but I just couldn’t get the hang of some things. I sat at her knee just like she did with her mom, but I, apparently was not an astute student.

Take pie crust. Hers were light, flaky, and delicious. She had a gift. I don’t. And because of that I like ready-made pie crusts. Not just because they’re so much faster than making my own, but because my pie crust never turn out like mom’s. They are either too dry and hard or too soft and mushy. Unlike my mom, mine are NEVER just right! It’s not that I shun the ways of cooking from scratch; I love it when I can achieve something wonderful made from my own hands. But some ready-made items are well worth using.

So, for me, the packaged crust was a great gift. And I utilize that gift whenever I make these apple slices. I make it my way: fast and easy, with a good crust and a tasty filling. Disclaimer: It’s not as good as my mom’s. Hers was amazing! I really loved it, but she spent so much time peeling apples, making dough, assembling this treat that I get exhausted just thinking about it. Don’t worry though, because my version is a pretty great substitute. I think you will enjoy it, too.

As you bite into the light, flaky crust filled with juicy apple filling, you’ll be so glad it didn’t take very long to make, because you’ll want to make it again and again for dessert. It’s great for potlucks and picnics, too. Now get the oven preheating and get ready for “Mom’s” Apple Slices.

2 ready-made pie crusts (the kind you roll out

1- 20oz can apple pie filling (you may want two cans for a really fruit filled take on this classic)
1 tbs lemon juice
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tbs milk

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Roll out the pie dough so that it will fit into an 7×12 baking sheet. Place one sheet of pie crust on the bottom of the baking sheet and prick with a fork. Pour over apple pie filling. Cover with remaining pie crust. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

While it’s baking, mix together the milk, lemon juice, and powdered sugar to create the icing. If you would like your glaze thicker, feel free to add more powdered sugar. After removing the baked apple slices from the oven, while still warm, drizzle with the glaze.

I like to add a sprinkling of cinnamon or apple pie spice to the top. Mostly because I think it’s prettier!You can also make this with other fillings if you like. Perhaps peaches are your passion or you get bonkers over blueberries. Whatever you like is okay. Add a little dollop of ice cream or whipped cream, too, if you want a bit more substantial dessert. My hat is off to my mom and her garden and kitchen talents, but here’s to an updated, quick-take version of her apple slices.