Sourcebook: Apple Pie

As mentioned yesterday, a big part of my love for this time of year is the treats that accompany it, homemade apple pie being one of my very favorites. With this in mind, I’ve put together my picks for all things apple pie – from bushel baskets to baking tools, and everything in between.

Picking & Prep

A great pie starts with a great recipe, and along with many other amazing sweets, The Four & Twenty Blackbirds Pie Book and Valerie Gordon’s Sweet include some of my favorites.

For any of us lucky enough to have the trees to pick our own, I love this wirework apple picker from Garden Trading and this one from Williams Sonoma. Once you’ve gotten your fruit down from the tree, these options for storage, including Food 52’s Half Bushel & Peck Baskets and Williams Sonoma’s handcrafted wire apple basket, are as lovely as they are practical.

To prep your apples, I like this apple corer, and this old-fashioned apple peeler/corer from Williams Sonoma. And for any of you ambitious enough to make your own juice or cider, I love this beautiful apple press from Garden Trading.

Measuring, Mixing & Baking

On to the measuring, mixing and baking, I really like this ceramic measuring spoon set from Garden Trading. And I am in love with Farmhouse Pottery’s simply gorgeous silo mixing bowl, pantry bowl and wheel thrown fieldstone dough bowl.

For citrus, I like this glass juicer and jug and lemon/lime squeezer, for butter, this retro style glass butter dish, and for your eggs, this wirework egg tray, all from Garden Trading.

To work with your dough, I adore this beech rolling pin and holder and this dipped maple baker’s pin, both of which we carry at my Montecito store.* Also great for making the perfect crust: this set of powder coated steel kitchen cutters and flour shakers.

I am a huge fan of Farmhouse Pottery, and we carry a beautiful selection of their pieces in Montecito, including this Laurel pie dish and this Windrow pie dish. Other favorites: these terra cotta baking dishes from Bitters Co., and this tart pan and adorable mini pie plate for two, both from Food 52.

Other great pie-making essentials: these ceramic pie weights from Williams Sonoma, and this kitchen timer from Garden Trading.

Display & Transport

To display the delicious fruits of your labor, this William Yeoward Dome & Stand is a long-time favorite.

Great for transporting a pie or as a thoughtful hostess gift (which could include a homemade pie), I love this Piebox Gift Set from Food 52. Included in the set is a gorgeous handcrafted pine box with leather strap, as well as pie plate and tin of gourmet sugar.

And lastly, to send guests home with the perfect slice: this pie divider from All Modern and this irresistible pie slice to go box kit from Food 52. XXJKE