Surrounded by Apples? Time to Make Apple Pie

There is probably nothing that says "October" more than a perfect slice of warm homemade apple pie.

It doesn't seem to matter if your autumn unfolds under a dome of endless sun or amid falling leaves, this is the time of year we crave apples, cinnamon and all its amazing variations.

But exactly how to start? There are as many takes on the traditional apple pie recipe as there are apple varieties times many thousands. You say "a mix of tart apples" and I say "Golden Delicious all the way, baby." Some love it heavily spiced, others with just a hint of cinnamon.

Then there's the traditional top-and-bottom pie crust vs. crumb or galette, lattice or plain. The store-bought pie crust vs. scratch smackdown. (And we can't even go to that other place, you know, where people eat their apple pie with cheddar cheese. I doubt the government shutdown is as divisive. Absolutely delicious by the way—and my father's preferred method.)

So hoping for some new inspiration this year, I turned to Patch readers for their advice. You answered the call in so many amazing ways! 

Here's how your fellow Patch readers are celebrating all the fine work of Johnny Appleseed this year:

Susan Cassidy, a Newton, MA Patch reader, had me captivated with her tale of Grandma Prouty's apple pie recipe and how it brings her friends together year after year. You have to read this!

Andrea Munk of Marlboro, NJ, also honors grandmothers everywhere with her Grandma Bubi's Apple Pie. The amazing thing here is sour cream in the pie crust. Is this a thing I've missed all these years? I cannot wait to try this. 

Jason Shriner, aka the Aubergine Chef and a Manassas VA Patch reader who has been featured in Rachael Ray's magazine, shares a great video that walks you through the lattice top step-by-step. Do not be afraid of the lattice top!

Christian Stoll, Petaluma, CA Patch reader from San Mateo gets our "most inventive addition" award. He created a pie recipe that mixes dried cranberries in with the apples. Love it!

Hope this is enough inspiration to get you digging out the pie tins...Let us know how if you tried any of these recipes and share your own secrets and successes in the comments below.

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PatchCooks is a new nationally crowd-sourced feature that gathers favorite recipes from Patch readers coast to coast each week. Share your ideas, photos and recipes on Twitter with #PatchCooks or email us at kathleen@patch.com.