Good 'Ole Apple Pie brings a smile to their stomach.

That special smell that apple pie makes just floats around the kitchen when mom bakes it in the oven. You make like your crust thicker, maybe thinner or perhaps flakey, but most love this traditional deluxe delight. How could you not?

Maybe your great aunt just returned home from surgery, your sister has stayed home sick from work for a few days, or perhaps your client is just purchased a new house. Suprise them with this stomach-warming gift. It will certainly stand out more than just sending an ordinary card. For those that don't enjoy spending time in the kitchen there are some great online stores and for those that have a knack for baking try out these recipes.

Here's the traditional, old fashioned recipe.

American Apple Pie

• 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/3 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 7 1/2 cups peeled, cored and sliced apples
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie
• 1 egg

1. Preheat oven 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Spray deep dish pie plate with cooking spray
2. Combine white sugar, light brown sugar, flour, lemon, cinnamon, and mix well. Add apples and raisins to sugar mixture; stir until fruit is well coated.
3. Spoon apple mixture into pie crust. Place second piecrust on top of filling, and trim edges. Lightly glaze top of pie with a beaten egg, then sprinkled with a little sugar.
4. Bake till golden brown, about 35 to 40 minutes. Place on a wire rack, and cool 30 minutes.

Crumb Apple Pie

This is my personal favorite of all apple pie recipes. The sugary crumb topping is more like candy then the layers of cinnamon, sugar and nutmeg mixed between layers of slices of apples creates a great contrast between fruit and sweet seasonings. Delicious!

• 6 apples - peeled, cored and sliced
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch single crust pie

1. Mix the white sugar 1 tablespoon of the cinnamon and the nutmeg together in a small bowl. Layer apples then sugar mixture. Then repeat the layering until out of apples.
2. Mix together the flour and brown sugar and cinnamon and butter. Use a fork until it becomes crumbly. Sprinkle mixture on top of apples.
3. Bake in a preheated 425 degree F (220 degree C) oven for 40-50 minutes. Cover the top for the remaining 15 minutes to avoid over browning.

CARAMEL PECAN APPLE PIE

Now this truly is a heavenly treat, the best of three different worlds.

• 15 oz. pkg. Pillsbury All Ready Pie crust
• 1 tsp. flour

Filling:

• 6 c. thinly sliced, peeled apples
• 3/4 c. sugar
• 1/4 c. flour
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 2 tbsp. butter

Glaze:

• 1/3 c. Kraft Caramel Topping
• 2 to 4 tbsp. chopped pecans

Prepare pie crust according to package directions for two crust pie. Heat oven to 425 degrees. In large bowl, combine apples, sugar, flour and salt; toss lightly. Spoon apple mixture into pie crust lined pan. Dot with butter. Top with second crust and flute; cut slits in several places. Bake at 425 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes or until apples are tender. Remove pie from oven; immediately drizzle with caramel topping. Sprinkle with nuts.

**Pie making tips on the way. Feel free to search for tips or you can check out a great list at:

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