Introduction:

They say food holds memories — the scent of cinnamon can bring back a childhood, a simmering stew can resurrect a love long gone. For me, it was her apple pie.
After my wife passed, I couldn’t bear to bake it again. But one quiet afternoon, standing by her grave, I met a stranger holding a basket. Inside was her pie — her recipe. What followed was a discovery that changed everything: a hidden friendship, a shared love of baking, and a recipe that became a bridge between grief and grace.

This isn’t just a recipe — it’s a story of loss, love, and rediscovery through the warmth of a kitchen.

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour (and a handful of courage)

½ teaspoon salt (for balance — in baking and in life)

¾ cup cold butter, cubed (memories, cut small but never gone)

4–5 tablespoons ice water

6 medium apples, peeled and sliced thin (choose the kind she loved most)

¾ cup sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon flour (for thickening — and for holding things together)

Instructions:

Prepare the Crust:
In a quiet kitchen, mix flour and salt. Cut in butter until the texture resembles coarse crumbs. Slowly add water until the dough comes together. Divide it in two — one for the base, one to cover the memories. Chill for 30 minutes.

Make the Filling:
Toss sliced apples with sugar, spices, lemon juice, and flour. The aroma will remind you of laughter, shared stories, and the warmth of Sunday mornings.

Assemble the Pie:
Roll out the bottom crust and line a pie dish. Pour in the filling, gently — as if you’re laying old memories to rest. Cover with the top crust, sealing the edges with care.

Bake:
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 45–50 minutes, until the crust turns golden and the scent fills your home with nostalgia.

Cool:
Let it rest. Like grief, it needs time before it’s ready to be shared.

Serving and Storage Tips: