By Rachel Paxton Platinum Quality Author

When making apple pies, keep in mind that some apples are better for baking than others. Granny Smith apples are a baking favorite. Experiment with different baking apples to find your family's favorite. Tart varieties work best for baking.

6 c. sliced apples
1 c. sugar
2 tbsp. flour
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
Dash ground nutmeg
Dash salt
1 (9 inch) unbaked double pie crust
2 tbsp. butter
Combine sugar, flour, spices, and salt. Stir together with apples. Line a 9-inch pie plate with bottom crust. Fill with apple mixture. Dot with butter.
Adjust top crust, cutting slits for escape of steam; seal. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 400 degrees for 50 minutes or until done.

3 c. sliced apples
2 tsp. flour
1 c. sour cream
1 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 c. sugar
1 egg
1/4 c. butter
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 (9 inch) unbaked single pie crust
Mix together apples, sugar, salt, flour, egg, vanilla, and sour cream. Put in 9-in. unbaked crust. Crumble together butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, and sprinkle on top of apples. Bake at 400 degree for 20 minutes. Finish baking at 375 degrees until apples are done.

6 c. sliced apples
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 c. flour
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1/2 c. butter, melted
1/3 cup nuts and/or 1/3 cup raisins
Fill a 9-inch pie plate with apples. Sprinkle apples with 1 tablespoon sugar and cinnamon. Combine the flour, remaining sugar, egg, butter, nuts and raisins. Pour the combination over the apples. Bake at 325 degrees for 45-55 minutes.

2 1/2 tbsp. flour
6 c. apples
2/3 c. frozen unsweetened apple juice
2 tsp. cornstarch
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 (9 inch) unbaked double pie crust
Sprinkle flour over sliced apples and stir gently to combine. In saucepan combine apple juice concentrate, cornstarch, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir until smooth. Over medium heat, stir constantly until mixture thickens. Pour over apples, and mix gently until apples are coated. Pour apples into bottom pie crust. Top with second crust. Bake 10 minutes at 425 degrees. Reduce heat to 375 degrees. Bake 35-40 minutes.