Apple Pies for the Freezer

It is so nice to be able to have these prepared frozen pies waiting for you to bake and serve within an hour's notice. I like to mix my favorite apples, Cortlands and Granny Smith, for this recipe. The brine will keep the apples from turning in this easy recipe.

• Ready In: 2 hrs
• Serves: 30
• Yields: 5 pies

Ingredients

• Filling

• 25  cups tart apples, sliced soaked in salted water and then drained well
• 4  cups sugar
• 5  teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 1⁄4 teaspoons nutmeg

• Crusts

• 5  cups flour
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1  lb  lard (room temp) or 2 1⁄2 cups vegetable shortening
• 1  large egg, beaten (with enough water to make a cup)

Directions

1. Make (2 batches of) the crust recipe in 2 separate bowls.
2. Using an electric mixer, mix first three ingredients until the texture resembles course meal.
3. Beat one egg in a 1 cup measuring cup.
4. Fill cup with water to make 1 full cup. Add to flour mixture.
5. Mix well, chill for 15 minutes.
6. For each batch, divide dough 5 ways.
7. Roll out 5 crusts on a floured surface.
8. Place bottom crusts in 5 pie tins.
9. Filling: (For each pie) add apples, sugar, cinnamon nutmeg.
10. Roll out 5 more crusts on floured surface.
11. Top pies with crusts.
12. Crimp to seal.
13. Place in ziplock bags.
14. Seal and freeze.
15. To bake: Place frozen pie on a baking sheet in a 350 degree F preheated oven.
16. Bake 1 hour.