This month Sally challenged us to make pretty pies. This is not my forte! This is only the second pie I have ever made, and for it to be pretty? Well, I did give it my best shot.
Sally’s challenge was to bake any pie we chose and she provided many beautiful designs to inspire us to be creative with the lattice topper.
My first pie was also a Sally challenge, from back in July, and we really liked the cherry pie recipe from her website, but cherries are no longer in season. So I chose her cranberry almond apple pie to bake for our family Thanksgiving dinner.
The first order of business was to make the crust and allow it, at least two hours, to firm up in the refrigerator. Sally’s pie crust recipe is easy to follow and does produce tender, flaky layers.
After a couple hours I rolled out the bottom dough and placed it into a 9 inch baking dish.
The almond portion of the pie is from almond paste. Sally recommends Odense and it is rolled out and fitted into the bottom of the pie.
This went back into the refrigerator while I mixed up the filling.
Now came the tricky part for me-how to decorate the top of the pie? I decided that I wanted to make a braided edge so I cut strips 1/4 inch thick and made three stranded braids. Not that easy it turns out, when there are small bits of butter running throughout the dough! But I eventually got it done and laid them over the circumference of the dish.
With the extra dough, I cut wider strips, and used cookie cutters to stamp out turkey and heart shapes.
The pie went into the oven until it was golden brown and the filling was bubbling.
This was probably my least successful challenge to date. It was tasty, although I feel it should have baked longer, and we did enjoy it. However, I need more practice with pie dough!
What a great reason to keep practicing 🙂 Can’t wait to see what Sally has in store for us in December!
Invisible-No-More 
I think it looks amazing! Very festive. Love the idea of the turkey cutouts…and the patience it must have taken you to braid all around the edge!! We are always are own toughest critic. I also love the color the cranberries gave to it! As you said what a great reason to keep on practicing!! 🙂
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Thanks!
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It’s look so yummy!
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thank you!
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You have Almond Paste??? ufffff 🙂 I think your pie looks wonderful and knowing you it tasted great!! 🙂
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No almond paste either there??
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That looks tempting. Wish I could have a piece… 🙂
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Your pie reminds me of the ones my grandma used to make. So yummy. Dee Dee, your pie looks as delicious and with the cranberries so festive. Pretty and Jolly. Perfect for the holidays!
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Thank you! I need to work on my pie decorating for sure 🙂
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I thought your pie was beautiful! It was visually appealing and very much appetizing. Did eat it with my eyes!
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thank you, I need to work on my “pie art”
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Sounds so good!
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You asked me to tell you which photos I wanted to use for my next When Fashion and Food Collide… The first pic is one of them.
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