A couple of weeks ago, I was a bit down in the dumps, and perhaps a wee bit whiny. Happily I have great friends who instead of thinking I was being a pain in the butt, instead gave me a homebaked apple pie! There's really nothing as cheery a warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream...and what a pie it was. I've always been proud of my apple pie, but this one was the best I've ever had by miles. Thanks Heidi and Ira!

Heidi (the baker) was nice enough to share the recipe with me. It's her mom's recipe. Try it!

Apple Cranberry Pie with crumb topping
(Recipe makes 2 pies)

In bowl, toss:
14 sliced apples
2 t. lemon
1 t. cinnamon
dash of salt
3/4 c brown sugar
4 t flour

In saucepan, heat:
1 can jellied cranberry sauce
1/3 c. water
1 T tapioca
3/4 c brown sugar
reduce, stirring often

Cool cranberry mixture and combine with apple mixture.

Pour into 2 pie crusts

Make crumb topping:
1 1/2 c flour - I use a mix of whole wheat and white
3/4 c brown sugar
1/3 c sugar
dash salt
1/2 t cinnamon
1 1/2 butter - cut up
Mix together with your hands and squeeze some crumbs together.

Sprinkle on top of pies.
Place on cookie tray covered with foil.
Bake 15 minutes at 400
Then bake 35-40 minutes at 375.

YUM