Simplified apple pie

With fall here and apples in abundance, I have had a hankering for apple pie. But the thought of putting together an apple pie is daunting at best, and I just don’t have the energy to do it.

Instead, I decided to make a sort of deconstructed apple pie: simply sauteed apples and (store-bought) pie crust. This recipe makes enough for two.

Ingredients:

2 apples (I like to use tart Granny smiths)

1 T sugar

1 t cinnamon

1/2 t salt

1/2 t corn starch

1 store-bought pie crust

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Cut out pretty fall-themed shapes like Maple leaves with cookie cutters, or cut disks using a biscuit cutter or even a drinking glass. If you really want to get fancy, spritz or brush on some food coloring to give the pie crust a tint of color. Prick the dough with a fork so it doesn’t bubble up, and bake on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for about 8 minutes, or until dough begins to turn golden brown.

While the crust bakes, peel, core and slice the apples. Combine all remaining ingredients in a small saucepan and simmer on low heat 5-10 minutes, or until apples are to your liking (I like them slightly softened but still firm enough to have a little crunch). Remove from heat and pour into two bowls. Garnish or top with cut-out crust.

Serves 2.

Apple Pie with Leaf Crust Cut Out