Hi folks.
Welcome to day #5 of Christmas Week, a multi-blogger event co-hosted by yours truly, and Jen of Juanita’s Cocina. Today’s theme for Christmas Week is “Christmas Pies and Pastries”. Make sure you visit all the participating bloggers today to see what special dish they whipped up for you.
Today is the final day of #ChristmasWeek. While it has been a ton of work to post every day I am going to miss doing this. It’s been so much fun sharing Christmas ideas with you all. I’ve also really enjoyed working with all the wonderful bloggers who were involved. There is nothing like blogger bonding. I adore these ladies and am so proud to count them among my friends. To me that’s what holidays are all about. Celebrating with people you love and adore. There’s nothing better than that.
I made apple pie in true Lunatic Christmas style. A normal pie would be too well, normal for me. So I turned to Family Feedbag for pie inspiration. Amy’s site never lets me down for pie ideas. The woman is a pie wizard. A pie guru. A pie genius. Seriously make sure you stop by and see how she decorates her pies. You will be blown away by her creativity.
For the pie recipe I turned to the one and only Paula Deen for inspiration. I wanted to try a new recipe. I tend to make my own often but wanted to step outside my normal and try something new. So the recipe for the dough and the filling is inspired by Paula, the queen of cooking and baking. This woman’s recipes rarely fail me. When I’m tired and not feeling my own creative juices flowing Paula is the one I turn to for help. She brings it every time. The woman is a dynamo. I am determined I will meet her one day. It’s likely I’ll pass out when she says “y’all”. Just warning you now in case any of you are standing in the line of fire as I hit the ground.
So there’s a fun twist to today’s #ChristmasWeek post. We’re giving stuff away. Not just any stuff. Cool stuff. Stuff you get to pick yourself. How freaking awesomely fantastic is that! Are you ready for it? Are you sure? Okay you might want to sit down now.
Freund Container & Supply has generously donated $100 gift certificates for each #ChristmasWeek blogger to give away!
Giveaway is now CLOSED! Congratulation to Ann, our Freund Winner!
Freund Container & Supply is the largest distributor of glass bottles, containers and wholesale packaging supplies online. Freund offers over 5000 items in stock every day, 98% same day shipping and low-price guarantees. Take a look at Freund’s wide selection of jars, tins, bottles and vials for all your crafting and food related needs!
This giveaway is for one $100 gift certificate to Freund Container & Supply. Gift certificate will expire on March 31, 2013. Gift certificate is a one-time use certificate and must be used in its entirety; any leftover monies on the gift certificate will be forfeited. This giveaway is open to both US and Canadian residents. However, it should be noted that due to current International shipping rates, any Canadian winners will pay higher shipping costs for orders. The giveaway will run from today, December 7th, 2012, through Wednesday, December 12th, 2012.
Freund Container & Supply is also offering all #ChristmasWeek blog readers 10% off purchases from now through March 31, 2013. Simply enter code JINGLEME10 to receive your discount!
So how do you all win? It’s easy.
Leave a comment telling me what you would like to buy with your gift certificate. You can visit Freund to browse their amazing products then hop back here and tell me what you are going to order if you win. Easy peasy.
For extra entries you can:
1. Follow my blog via email. Just look to the right where it says “subscribe via email” and enter you email address. Then leave me a separate comment saying you did so with your email address so I can contact you if you win.
2. Stalk me on Pinterest. Cuz I’m “Pinteresting”. Leave me a separate comment saying you followed and what name you stalked me with.
3. Stalk me on Twitter. Leave me a separate comment with your twitter handle so I can follow you back aka stalk you.
4. Stalk me on Facebook. Say hi when you like me, then stop back saying “Hi, I said Hi”, or something equally weird.
5. Stalk Freund on Facebook. Say hi to them when you like them, then stop back saying “Hi, I said Hi to Freund” or something equally goofy.
6. Stalk Freund on Twitter. Stop back and leave me a comment letting me know you are stalking them with your twitter handle. That way both Freund and I can stalk you back.
7. Stalk Freund on Pinterest. Cuz they’re “Pintastic”. Leave me a separate comment saying you followed them and what name you stalked them with.
8. Tweet about the giveaway but be sure to tag @freundcontainer and @CravingsLunatic in order for me to verify the tweet! Come back and let me know you did it in a separate comment.
9. You all know I love mason jars and I’m about to kick off my winter series “fun with jars” so tell me what you would like to see me make inside a jar this winter.
Yes folks that’s a fabulously over the top grand total of 10, count ‘em, 10 possibly entries for the giveaway. You can do 1 or you can do 4 or you can do any old number you want. Just remember to leave separate comments so ALL your entries count. There is nothing that bums me out harder than having someone combine all their entries into one comment and only get one shot. I draw by random.org so the comment numbers are how the winner gets drawn. So enter as much or as little as you like.
Reminder: Open to US and Canadian residents. Canadian shipping rates higher. Being a Canuck sometimes blows. But I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Canucks rule! M’kay!
PLUS:
If you’d like more chances to win a $100 gift certificate from Freund, please make sure you visit today’s blog posts from each of the other #ChristmasWeek bloggers!
Pumpkin Cheesecake Fried Pies from Jen of Juanita’s Cocina
Chocolate Angel Pie from Liz of That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Nutella Swirled Pumpkin Pie from Anuradha of Baker Street
Cheese Danish Pie from Kristen of Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker
Bakewell Tarts from Isabelle of Crumb
Grasshopper Pie from Erin of Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
Cranberry Fritters from Erin of The Spiffy Cookie
Cinnamon Pecan Crescent Rolls from Ramona of Curry and Comfort
Banketstaaf (Dutch Christmas Log) from Heather of Girlichef
Eggnog and Cranberry Christmas Braid from Cathy of The Dutch Baker’s Daughter
Raspberry Galette from Chung-Ah of Damn Delicious
***Disclaimer: This giveaway is being provided by Freund Container & Supply. #ChristmasWeek bloggers have not been compensated as part of this giveaway.***
- 2½ cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla salt
- 2 sticks of butter, cold and cubed
- ¼ – ½ cup ice water (I used ½)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 egg, beaten
- cinnamon to taste
- nutmeg to taste
- sparkly sugar
- 8 apples – peeled and sliced (I used 6 granny smith and 2 gala)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter – chilled and sliced
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
- 3 tablespoons flour
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
- In a food processor or stand mixer (my method of choice) combine the flour, salt, sugar and mix.
- Add the butter.
- Slowly add the ice water a little at a time to get the desired consistency you want.
- Mix just until dough comes together. Do not overwork the dough, it makes tough crust.
- Remove the dough from your mixer. Separate into two pieces. Wrap in plastic wrap and pop in the fridge for about 1 hour.
- In a large mixing bowl combine cinnamon, nutmeg, sugars and the flour and give it a quick mix. Then add the apples, then toss them to coat with dry ingredients. Set aside.
- Remove dough from fridge and roll out first one. Lay in a pie plate you’ve sprayed with non stick spray. Cut off excess from edges.
- Pour apple mixture into the pie plate over top the first piece of dough.
- Roll out second piece of dough. Cut out a tree. Lay that piece of dough over top of the pie plate. Crimp your edges.
- Place pie in the preheated oven for about 50-55 minutes.
- Remove and let cool, if you can. I usually demolish it before it gets a chance to cool.
- If you’ve allowed it to cool you can dress it up by rolling little pieces of coloured pie dough or fondant over top for the ornaments, star and prezzies.
- Serve with a big old “I’m a pie geek and I like it” smile!
You can make your own vanilla salt or just use regular salt. I have a weakness for all things vanilla.
Normally I would not use fondant on pie since fondant belongs on cake but I wanted the colour to pop and doing it with the pie dough just was not doing it for me. The colours were not vibrant enough. I figured no one really eats fondant any way so people would just pop them off. It’s just there for the “purty” factor, not for taste. Geez us food bloggers are a weird bunch aren’t we. Who dresses up pie with fondant. Clearly I need my head examined. But first I want to add some fondant to my roast beast m’kay.
I hope you enjoyed Christmas Week as much as I did. It was a whirlwind but so worth it. I’ll be having a recap tomorrow for anyone who found us late. So make sure you tune it. I’ll also be sharing my Mixed experience with you all this weekend. Look forward to sharing the chaos and antics with you.
Toodles and smoochies! xx
I’m not entering the giveaway, but I did want to say, thank you darling…for allowing me to be a part of this! Happy day #5!
How cute is that pie!!!! I love that tree.
Happy Day #5! It’s been a great week working with you all. 
Thanks Jen. I have had a blast and cannot wait to do this again!
Kim, this is a gorgeous apple pie. Loving the Christmas decorations and the cut-out (a good way to save a few calories too
)
Thanks so much Hester. I had so much fun making this. It’s just too cute.
Great pie! I want a slice of it with my morning coffee…
What would I buy? Glass jars! In many shapes and forms, they have quite interesting once. Wish me luck!
Thanks Marina.
Good choice.
This looks so cute!
Thank you so much.
What a yummy, Christmas-y apple pie! It’s so cute!
And I would probably buy more containers for making vanillaaaa extract!
Thanks so much Kayle.
Oh, good idea. I love making extracts.
Hey, I love your different take on the classic apple pie! It’s very Christmasy.
If I won, I would buy glass jars for crafty purposes. Maybe those little canning jars to bake some pies iN them.
Thank you. Full credit to Amy of Family Feedbag for inspiring me.
Love baking pies in jars. I did apple ones and cherry. They freeze nicely too so you can pop one out at a time for dessert.
I’m following you on twitter @julie_ketchup.
Thank you Julie.
I followed you on Pinterest. julieketchup
Thanks Julie.
Amazing container supplier! Would love these cobalt blue wire bail glasses bottles http://www.freundcontainer.com/cobalt-blue-swing-top-bale-wire-glass-bottles/p/v1101B11BLU/
Oh good choice Barbara. Good luck.
I’ve been needing some air sealed jars so i’d buy up a whole lot of them
I think that’s an awesome choice.
I’d be buying a lot of glass bottles, probably the amber ones, for my homemade vanilla. I’d also get some of the French square bottles.
Both gorgeous choices. Good luck.
I am an email subscriber.
Thank you MaryB!
I follow you on Pinterest (jodoobers).
I love your pinterest handle.
I like you on Facebook.
Thanks so much Mary.
I lke Freund on Facebook.
Ya, good luck MaryB!
I follow Freund on Pinterest (jodoobers).
Thank you.
I’d like to see Shepherd’s pie or cottage pie in mason jars!
Your wish is my command. Lol!
http://www.cravingsofalunatic.com/2011/11/shepherds-pie-fun-with-jars-friday.html
Comment on Freud’s Facebook page.
Thank you Barbara.
I would love using the Amber Round Glass Bottles for making vanilla extract. Great for presents too!
I think they would be perfect for that.
I follow you on Pinterest
Yah!
I follow Freund on Pinterest
Cool, thanks Erin.
I follow you on Twitter
Thank you Erin.
I follow Freund on Twitter
Love it, thanks Erin.
I follow you on Facebook
Yippee!
I follow Freund on Facebook
Thanks Erin.
I tweeted about the giveaway
Thanks so much Erin.
This is an awesome giveaway! I’m into canning in a HUGE way right now and I adore their Squat Bulb Gourment Glass Jars. AWESOME! I think I’d order as much as the gift certificate would allow!
Thanks so much Ann. I was super stoked to work with Freund. They have such cool stuff. Good luck lady.
Thanks so much Ann. I was so stoked to work with this company. They have such cool stuff. Good luck lady!
You KNOW I’m an email subscriber!
I love you. xx
….and I’m a Pinterest stalker, too! You know you’re awesome!
You’re awesomer!
….and I’m a twitter stalker!
I love stalkers.
Sweet!!! Apple pie with a Christmas makeover
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thanks Uru. I had so much fun making it.
and I’m a fan of your Facebook page. A HUGE fan!
The hugest. xx
I’m also a fan of Freund on Facebook!
Woot woot!
….and I follow Freund on Facebook!
Love their facebook page.
I also follow Freund on Twitter! Tweet, tweet!
Tweetalicious!
…and last, but certainly no least, I now follow Freund on Pinterest! Thanks to both of you for an amazing giveaway and a GREAT week of sweet treats!
Thanks for participating Ann. xx
I want the amber boston round bottles with dropper, like your apple pie.
Thanks Gabriela. Good luck.
Well, I think it’s very, very purty!! Thanks so much for being such a fabulous host, this week =)
Awe thanks so much Heather. Thanks for being so dedicated and making such awesome goodies. It’s been so much fun.
Thanks for including me this week – it was lots of fun! What a gorgeous pie, love the festive touch!
Thanks so much for joining us Erin. It was such a pleasure to have you involved.
Thanks, this was so fun to make.
Great way to wrap up your Christmas week posting with a post on one of the major food groups! Pie is a food group, isn’t it? It certainly is in my household! Good stuff. Great giveaway. But really, I’m only here for the pie.
I completely agree John. Pie is most definitely a food group. Always love when you visit.
This pie is so cute, love the cutout! I stalk you every way possible, you know that!
Thanks so much Joan. I love stalkers.
You did it, dude (just had to call you dude!)! Thanks so much for including me…even though it was a crazy week, I was so glad I joined in. I hope you have some naps planned for the weekend. You deserve a little R and R.
PS…your pie looks fantastic. Looks like you put some of our swag to good use
Thanks dude. I am so thrilled you joined us. Could not have done it without your goodies.
Thanks. I had fun playing with the swag. It’s addictive.
@BarbaraNovellis following you on Twitter
Thanks Barbara.
I love the glass syrup containers!!
Me too, they are fabulous. Good luck.
I would get the plastic snap lock containers!!
Good choice Barb.
vanilla salt is totally new to me but apple pie is an old favorite. Best of luck with this series – it’s clever.
I love vanilla salt, use it in everything. Great for baking. Thanks so much Maureen.
I like Cravings of a Lunatic on Facebook
Thanks Dianne.
I like Freund on Facebook
Thank you Dianne.
I’d like you to make any sort of jam in your mason jars
Jam would be awesome. I need to make some.
I like the snap lock containers
I was eyeing those myself.
What a gorgeous pie–I love the Christmas tree cutout! Thank you so much for inviting me to this awesome week of blogging, Kim. What an experience! We’ll have to get some rest and do it again!
Thanks so much Cathy. I am so honoured you joined us. I would love to have you work with us again. It was so much fun.
I need bottles for making vanilla.
Love homemade vanilla.
I subscribe via email.
Thanks Jan.
Incredible pie, darling! I love the little cutout. Precious
Totally in love with your gorgeous pie! Mine for Thanksgiving wasn’t nearly as pretty, but it was a hit, too. <3
Thanks so much Rita. Glad to have another pie lover here.
Id use it for my Canadian maple syrup!!
Oh I love that. You rock.
Facebook stalking you
Love stalkers.
Smores in jars would be heavenly!
Oh that would be heavenly.
Thanks so much for inviting me to join in this fabulous week of treats. I think I gained ten pounds just reading all of the posts!
You know, I had never thought to decorate a pie until you introduced me to coloring dough and now you have gone a step further with fondant. I love it!!
I can also vouch for Ann’s canning frenzy. She gave me a gift of her bounty. She is such a dear. Now I have to jump on board and get my canning persona out of hibernation.
I am so happy you joined us Kristen. It’s been so much fun. Loved seeing what everyone came up with. And I hear you. Christmas is not helping the waistband.
I get a little crazy in the kitchen. It’s like an obsession to come up with weird ideas for baking. Lol.
I think I need to sample Ann’s goodies. I was stunned when she told me all the stuff she canned. So impressive.
If I was to win I thing I would get a shelving unit kit
http://www.freundcontainer.com/86-inch-wire-shelving-kit/p/WS861236-P/
Nice choice.
I subscribe via email now
Thanks Mippy!
Oh yuuum I am following you via Pinterest now as Mippyfoofalina
And I meant yuuuum to all the goodies pictured! lol after I posted that I thought..that sounded odd!
I laughed my head off at that. Thanks for the giggle.
Thanks so much Mippy!
Hi! I said Hi on Facebook as Mippy Foofalina…that’s my nickname btw
Great nickname.
I’m stalking Freund on Twitter…that makes me giggle every time I type that I’m stalking, so thank you for the giggles…lol Oh! And my Twitter handle is: @MippyFoofalina
You made me giggle so seems fitting you giggled too. Love stalkers.
I’m stalking Freund on Pinterest as Mippyfoofalina
Thanks for the Freund follow.
I’d love to see fudge in your jars! Mmmmm fudge
That would be awesome. Great idea.
I like the oil and vinegar glassd bottles
I follow you via email
keshakeke at gmail dot com
I follow you on Pinterest/kesha gooding
I follow you on twitter. @keshakeke
I like you on Facebook and I said Hello!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kesha hansley gooding
I like Freund on Facebook and I said Hi!!! kesha hansley gooding
I follow Freund on twitter! @keshakeke
I follow Freund on Pinterest!!!! kesha gooding
I tweeted this giveaway! https://twitter.com/keshakeke/status/277772004403335168
I’d buy the Amber Swing Top Bail Wire Glass Bottles for homemade vanilla extract.
Saladgoddess following Freund on Twitter.
If I won, I’d go for the wire-bale air seal jars, probably in different sizes. I like them for storing baking supplies.
I’d get the food grade plastic buckets and some gamma lids to go with them!
Always such a treat to see what you been up to with your cooking and baking.