Set up in a thrift shop storage space in 2009, this civic-minded bakery churns out some of the South’s tastiest pies (while teaching area youths to bake). Among its best sellers is this pie made with Empire apples, which mature in September and October.
What's in Season
Apple Pie
Kelley and Seaborn Whatley of PieLab in Greensboro, Alabama, share their delicious take on Apple Pie
illustration: John Burgoyne
Ingredients
-
1 large egg yolk
1 tbsp. heavy cream
2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup raw cane sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
1/4 cup flour
1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt
3 lbs. Empire apples, peeled and sliced
1 tbsp. unsalted butter
1/2 cup toasted pecans
2 9-inch pie shells
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a small bowl, whisk egg yolk and cream and set aside.
To make filling, mix lemon juice, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a large bowl. Add in apple slices and toss to coat. Dot with butter. Fold in pecans.
Place a pastry shell in a 9-inch pie dish. Add filling. Top with second shell and crimp edges to seal, removing excess dough. Brush top shell with egg wash, sprinkle with sugar, and cut several small slits to ventilate.
Bake 35 to 45 minutes, or until crust is golden brown.
Optional Topping:
Serve pie slices warm, and finish with a generous drizzle of heavy cream and a spoonful of whole cranberry sauce.
Recipe from Kelley and Seaborn Whatley of PieLab in Greensboro, Alabama
Related Stories:
Food & Drink
The Art of Paella
The Atlanta chef John Castellucci shares his recipe and tips for the traditional Spanish dish
Food & Drink
Banana Cream Pie With a Twist
Try this signature Greenville dessert for National Banana Cream Pie Day
Food & Drink
Chef David Guas’ King Cake
A classic Mardi Gras treat from the owner of Arlington, Virginia’s, Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery
Trending Stories:
Food & Drink
The Mad Scientist of Pawpaws
Largely the domain of foragers, the biggest edible fruit in the South has mostly been forgotten. A quietly obsessed Quaker from West Virginia has made it his life’s mission to change that
Food & Drink
How an Award-Winning Pastry Chef Doctors Up Boxed Cornbread
Even Kelly Fields whips up a box of Jiffy every once in a while. Here’s how she makes the store-bought stuff her own
30
Slideshow
Arts & Culture
The Top-of-2021 Reading List for Southerners
G&G contributors, editors, and Southern book lovers share new releases and old favorites to read right away this year—and a couple forthcoming releases already on preorder