The Leisurely Blogger

Ingredients for one double-crust pie 2 1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour 8 tablespoons leaf lard (cut into small pieces) 8 tablespoons butter (cut into small pieces) 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 2 tablespoons sugar (optional) 1/4 cup vodka, cold (brandy works just as well) 1/4 cup cold water Instructions Combine all ingredients except the water and vodka in a medium bowl. Blend with a pastry cutter. Be careful to not overwork the dough. Sprinkle the water and vodka over the mixture and then, with a rubber spatula, use a folding motion to mix the dough together. You are looking for a consistency where the dough just holds together in a ball and…

I'm not sure how many different carrot cake recipes I've tried or modified over the years. I never really kept track. But no matter the recipe, there was always something missing, until eventually I came across a recipe that was almost perfect.

Ingredients Pie dough (enough for a top and bottom, with a bit to spare) 18 Tbsp. butter, chilled 6 Tbsp. lard, chilled 3 cups all purpose flour 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 1 Tbsp. sugar 3/4 cup ice water Pie filling 6 large golden delicious apples, peeled, halved, cored, and cut into 8 wedges 1 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen 1 Tbsp. orange zest, finely grated 2 Tbsp. instant tapioca 1/8 tsp. salt 1 egg, beaten with 1 Tablespoon of milk Instructions Pie Dough Slice butter and lard into 1/4 inch slices and put in freezer for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, combine flour, salt, and sugar in a bowl. Add butter and…