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Kentucky Apple Pie

The scent of apples, cinnamon, and butter filling the air in the kitchen on a cool fall day—or any day, for that matter—has a certain allure. Made with basic, healthful ingredients and steeped in Southern tradition, Kentucky apple pie is the kind of recipe that unites generations. This pie is rich, rustic, and bursting with the inherent sweetness of apples; it is neither fussy nor overly fancy. It's a warm memory encased in a flaky crust, not just a dessert.
Course: Baking, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

For the Cake:
  • 2 sticks margarine softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 3 cups finely chopped apples peeled if desired
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts
  • 2 –3 tablespoons milk as needed for batter consistency
For the Buttermilk Glaze:
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup margarine
  • ¼ cup buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method
 

Make the Cake:
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the margarine and sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, stirring until just combined.
  6. Fold in the chopped apples and walnuts. If the batter seems too thick, stir in 2–3 tablespoons of milk until the consistency loosens slightly.
  7. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
  8. Bake for 40–45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Prepare the Glaze:
  1. While the cake is baking, combine sugar, margarine, buttermilk, corn syrup, and baking soda in a medium saucepan.
  2. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
  3. Once it begins to boil, let it cook for 2–3 minutes, then remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Finish the Cake:
  1. While the cake is still warm, pour the glaze evenly over the top. It will soak into the cake and form a sweet, buttery coating.
  2. Let cool slightly before serving.
  3. Enjoy!