Introduction
Sometimes, the sweetest recipes aren’t just made in the kitchen — they’re written by time, memory, and second chances.
This story begins with a young waitress named Clara who once served a slice of homemade apple pie to a stranger — a man who would one day change her life.
But life has a way of separating hearts. Twenty-three years later, a simple gold ring found beneath the floorboards of a small-town café would bring them together again. Alongside that ring was Clara’s old recipe book — pages stained with sugar, cinnamon, and tears. Inside, one recipe was marked with a heart: “The Reunion Pie.”
Today, we’re recreating that recipe — a pie that became a symbol of love rediscovered and stories never truly forgotten.
Ingredients
For the crust:
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
6–8 tbsp ice water
For the filling:
6 medium apples (a mix of tart and sweet)
¾ cup brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp melted butter
For the glaze:
1 egg, beaten
1 tbsp milk
A sprinkle of coarse sugar (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the Crust:
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add ice water a tablespoon at a time until the dough comes together. Divide in half, wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
Make the Filling:
Peel and slice the apples thinly. Toss them with sugars, flour, spices, lemon juice, and melted butter. Let them rest for 15 minutes — just long enough for the flavors to blend, like hearts waiting to reunite.
Assemble the Pie:
Roll out one dough half and fit it into a 9-inch pie dish. Fill with the apple mixture, then top with the second crust. Seal edges, cut slits for steam, and brush with the egg-milk glaze.
Bake:
Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes, then reduce to 350°F (175°C) and bake another 30–35 minutes, until golden and bubbling.
Cool and Serve:
Let cool for at least an hour. Serve warm — ideally with someone who makes your heart feel like home.
Serving and Storage Tips
