Recipe: West Virginia Skillet Apple Pie

WEST VIRGINIA SKILLET APPLE PIE

3 pounds Golden Delicious apples
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar, divided use
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter
1 egg yolk
3 tablespoons water

Peel, core and cut each apple into 16 wedges.

In 10-inch iron skillet, melt 1/2 cup butter; sprinkle 3/4 cup sugar over butter.

Arrange apples in circles in skillet. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup sugar over apples. Cover pan; simmer apples over medium heat 15 to 20 minutes until they are tender, but hold shape.

In bowl, mix flour, baking powder, 1 tablespoon sugar and salt; cut in butter; stir together yolk and water and sprinkle over flour mixture, adding more water if needed to make dough. Roll out into circle large enough to fit skillet; press pastry firmly to edge of pan to seal.

Bake in 375 degrees F oven about 45 minutes, until pastry is brown. Cover loosely with foil if browning too fast. Let pie cool 5 minutes, loosen edges with knife, place heat-proof serving plate on top and invert quickly.* If apples aren't caramelized as desired, carefully place under broiler for short time, watching that it doesn't burn.

*It can be a little tricky turning the pie upside down on a plate. Put some papers down, just in case.

Makes 8 servings
Source: Delmer Robinson, Man, That's Cooking column, The Charleston Gazette, May 17, 1995