Hidden Rose Apple Pie by Rose Levy Beranbaum

I created this variation of my “Designer Apple Pie” from The Pie and Pastry Bible to honor the newly available Cosmic Crips apple from the state of Washington. It took 20 years to develop this extraordinary apple. Not only is it a beautiful vibrant red, it has the highest acidity of any apple which means that it doesn’t brown when cut. As a consequence, I have removed the lemon juice from the original recipe.
Another fabulous feature is that when macerated in sugar the apple slices become flexible and easier to shape without breaking. On baking, the slices become buttery tender but hold the integrity of their shape and slight crispness of texture. And the flavor couldn’t be more appily! (Add an h to the beginning of this word-it applies!)
Using a mandolin to slice the apples will cut prep time significantly. Arranging the apples in tightly packed concentric circles does take time but makes it such a pleasure to eat.
I also realized that these amazing apples deserved to be encased in a bottom and top crust so I chose a pie crust that is buttery, flaky, and tender--my Rose’s Best Flaky and Tender Pie Crust. True the top crust hides the exquisite design but what a lovely surprise when cutting into the pie!