{ABC's of Pie}

Today (January 23rd) is National Pie Day!

(Mmm!...Pie)

What's a girl to do.  How do I choose?
There's so many to select, so here's what I'll do...

A is for Apple
B is for Banana
and C is for Chocolate!

(Mmm!...Chocolate!)

♥  ♥  ♥

Apple Crumble Pie

* 1 Basic 9" Pie Crust (unbaked)
* 5 cups apples (peeled, cored, and thinly sliced)
* 1/2 cup white sugar

For the topping:

* 3/4 tsp cinnamon
* 1/3 cup white sugar
* 3/4 cup flour
* 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp butter

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Arrange apples in unbaked crust
3. Mix 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle over apples.
4. Mix 1/3 cup sugar with flour and cut in butter until crumbly. Spoon mixture over apples.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until apples are soft and top is lightly browned.

♥  ♥  ♥



Banana Cream Pie

* 1 graham cracker crust
* large box instant banana pudding (for a fuller pie, use 2)
* 2 1/2 cups milk
* whipped cream
* 1 or 2 ripe bananas

1. Mix pudding and milk. Slice banana(s) into 1/4" slices.
2. Line bottom of pie crust with banana slices.
3. Pour pudding into pie crust.
4. Top with whipped cream.
5. Gently lay banana slices on top in an appetizing pattern.

♥  ♥  ♥



Chocolate Cream Pie

* 1 large box instant chocolate pudding
* 2 1/2 cups milk
* 1 chocolate or graham cracker crust
* whipped cream
* chocolate chips or shavings (optional, but suggested)

1. Mix pudding and milk. Stir in chocolate chips.
2. Pour into pie crust.
3. Top with whipped cream.
4. Sprinkle with chocolate chips/shavings, or any other garnish you prefer.

(source: http://www.piemaven.com/)

{Apple Pear Sauce}

Ingredients:

* 2 apples
* 3 pounds of pears
* 2 Tbs. juice (apple, cranberry, lemon, or grape)

Directions:

Peel, core and chop apples into 1 inch pieces. Cut off each end of pear. Cut in half and using a melon baller or spoon, scrape out the vein and seeds. Leave the peel on the pears.

Your pile should have peel-on pear halves and peeled and chopped apples.

Now, place your fruit in a medium saucepan with the juice. The pears are mostly water so you don't need any more than 2 Tbs. of juice. It's really just in there to get you started.

Cover and cook on the lowest setting on your stove.

After about 20-25 minutes, lift the lid and check your fruit. You should be able to chop the pears in half with a wooden spoon and there should be a lot of liquid at the bottom of the pan. Cook for another 15-20 minutes on low or increase the heat to medium and cook another 10-15 minutes but you'll need to watch it closely.

When the pears easily break apart with a wooden spoon, turn off the heat and let the mixture cool for a few minutes.
Using an imersion blender, blender, food mill or food processor blend the mixtures until it is smooth. The pear peel will disappear. Serve cold or at room temperature. Store in the fridge in an airtight container. Enjoy!

{Chocolate Zebra Apples}

A chocolately treat for kids of all ages! Perfect for Valentine's, birthdays, Autumn days, etc!

Chocolate Zebra Apples

Ingredients:

* 1 Apple

* Caramel

* Milk Chocolate

* White Chocolate

* Dark Chocolate
* Wooden Carmel Apple/Popsicle Sticks

Directions:

1. Cover a tray with wax paper.

2. Wash and dry apples.

3. Insert a stick into the stem end of each apple.

4. Dip apple in warm carmel.

5. Drizzle apple in white chocolate. Apply in strips. Allow chocolate to harden.

6. Follow up with strips of dark chocolate. Allow to harden & cool.

7. Enjoy!