1/2cupvery cold water + additional tablespoon or two if needed
filling
8-9large Granny Smith apples, or a variety of apples
1cupsugar
2teaspoonground cinnamon
1teaspoonnutmeg
1/2teaspoonsalt
4tablespoonsflour
1tablespoonlemon juice
1tablespoonvanilla extract
1-2tablespoonsbutter
beaten egg, sugar or cream for top of pie
Instructions
Preheat the Traeger on smoke with the lid open, until the fire is established (4-5 minutes). Then, set the temperature to 375 degrees and preheat 30 minutes with the lid closed.
Make the pie crust. Mix flour and salt. Cut in shortening with pastry blender or knives. Add cold water.
Fold with spatula or fork until flour is absorbed and dough comes together. Gather dough together into a ball. Split in half if making a two crust pie.
Flour surface and rolling pin well. Flatten dough gently with hand to make a round shape. Roll out from center to make 1/8" thickness. Fold in half, lift onto pie plate.
Open and shape to pan. Make sure to fit dough into edges of pan. Set aside.
Prepare apple filling. Peel, core, and slice apples. Set in a large bowl. Mix in sugar, spices, flour, and lemon juice. Don't forget the flour!
Pour apples in to prepared pie crust. Sprinkle with vanilla and dot with butter.
Top with crust. Crimp edges. Cut steam vents. Brush with either beaten egg or cream and sprinkle with sugar.
Bake at 375 degrees for 50-60 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the crust is golden brown. I usually turn the pie halfway to insure even baking about 30 minutes into baking time!
Also, you may need to cover the pie with foil for half of baking time. Remove from Traeger and cool 2-3 hours prior to serving.
Notes
Tips and detailed instructions for making pie crust can be found on this post.
Make sure to let the baked pie COOL for at least 2 hours, 3-4 is best before cutting! It takes time for all of the filling to set up and solidify. You can speed up the cooling process by placing the pie in the fridge on a cool cookie sheet for an hour or in a large or other cool protected place (not accessible to animals!) .
I highly recommend using a cast iron skillet on the Traeger. Do not use a ceramic or any other type of pie plate that you do not want to have stained from smoke. Although we are not using the smoke setting on the grill, there will still be an effect on a pan left in the Traeger for an hour on the grill setting. The pan will become slightly discolored.