Different Kinds of Happy... or Pie.

There was a chance of thunderstorms today and I knew what that meant.... Apple Pie.

Anyone who has ever asked me knows that it's my favorite thing in the world to make, although since the start of my grain-free/gluten-free cooking days it's been a little discouraging to never get the flaky, buttery pie crust I so adore.... until now. I think I may have 1/2 found, 1/2 figured out the perfect grain-free crust. You really can't tell it's anything out of the ordinary at all! you have to try it. Granted, it's a bit more cakey than flaky, but it's the closest thing I have found to perfection. Weep and eat.

Perfect Grain-Free Pie Crust~

1 Cup Almond Flour

3/4 Cup Tapioca Flour ( you can also use Arrowroot Flour)

1tsp Xanthum Gum

1/4 Sea Salt

1 Tbs Honey

4 Tbs Butter

1 Egg

1/4 tsp Vanilla

Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl, breaking up the clumps. Make a well in the center, crack the egg into it along with the honey and vanilla. Mix together with a fork. If the dough is too dry, add some ice cold water. If it is too wet, add some more almond flour. the dough will be thick and slightly sticky so here's how to handle it. put down one sheet of wax paper and spoon the dough into the middle in a ball. Put another sheet of wax paper on top of that. Now roll the dough out in between the two sheets of paper just slightly so that you have a 6 inch circle. Keep the dough in the paper and wrap that in foil, chill for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 days. The dough is softer than most so you want it to be really cold before you work with it.

For filling I always just wing it.... one of my favorite ways though, is slicing the apples really thin and tossing them with lemon zest, lemon juice, pure maple syrup, xanthum gum, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.

Bake the crust for 10 minutes at 350 before filling it, then about an hour after filled and with the top crust on. Almond flour browns very easily, and burns quickly so put foil over your pie. Take it off the last 15 minutes so it gets golden on the top, you can brush it with a little cream if you are allowed to have dairy.

With your extra pie crust (or just a new batch cause it's so easy to make!) roll little bits into balls, press down with your thumb and fill with jam... instant, lovely little cookies. They make me exceedingly happy.

We ate this pie while watching the movie Sweetland (an absolutely beautiful movie that makes me want pie every time, and you really want to watch it!), and listening to the thunder outside. There are different kinds of happy Sweetland tells us.... and I believe one of them is pie.