Caramel Apple Crumble Pie, Maple Bourbon Cider, and The Starless Sea

Enjoy a cozy autumn treat with the "Caramel Apple Crumble Pie," paired perfectly with "The Starless Sea" by Erin Morgenstern and a "Maple Bourbon Cider." The whimsical, magical elements of the book complement the comforting flavors of the pie, making them a delightful match for a relaxing evening. The beverage's warm, spiced notes mirror the pie's autumnal essence, enhancing the experience of both the literary and culinary delight. This trio promises to captivate your senses and invite you to lose yourself in a world of wonder and warmth.
Caramel Apple Crumble Pie

Ingredients

For the Pie Crust:

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small cubes
  • 3-4 tablespoons ice water

For the Apple Filling:

  • 6 cups apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are great choices)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

For the Caramel Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

For the Crumble Topping:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

Prepare the Pie Crust:

  • In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Cut in the chilled butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  • Add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough comes together. Shape into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Prepare the Apple Filling:

  • In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, lemon juice, and flour until evenly coated. Set aside.

Make the Caramel Sauce:

  • In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and turns a deep amber color.
  • Remove from heat and carefully whisk in butter, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt. Set aside to cool slightly.

Prepare the Crumble Topping:

  • In a medium bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in melted butter until the mixture forms a crumbly texture.

Assemble the Pie:

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Roll out the chilled pie dough on a lightly floured surface and fit it into a 9-inch pie dish. Trim and crimp the edges as desired.
  • Pour the apple filling into the pie crust and drizzle with the prepared caramel sauce.
  • Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples.

Bake the Pie:

  • Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
  • Allow the pie to cool slightly before serving.

Serve:

  • Serve the Caramel Apple Crumble Pie warm, with an additional drizzle of caramel sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired. Enjoy!

The Starless Sea

The Starless Sea

From the New York Times bestselling author, Erin Morgenstern, comes a novel about the power of stories, shedding reality in favor of myth and fantasy, weaving together tales in a labyrinthine world where time and reality intersect.
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From the bestselling author of The Night Circus, a timeless love story set in a secret underground world—a place of pirates, painters, lovers, liars, and ships that sail upon a starless sea. Zachary Ezra Rawlins is a graduate student in Vermont when he discovers a mysterious book hidden in the stacks. As he turns the pages, entranced by tales of lovelorn prisoners, key collectors, and nameless acolytes, he reads something strange: a story from his own childhood. Bewildered by this inexplicable book and desperate to make sense of how his own life came to be recorded, Zachary uncovers a series of clues—a bee, a key, and a sword—that lead him to a masquerade party in New York, to a secret club, and through a doorway to an ancient library hidden far below the surface of the earth. What Zachary finds in this curious place is more than just a buried home for books and their guardians—it is a place of lost cities and seas, lovers who pass notes under doors and across time, and of stories whispered by the dead. Zachary learns of those who have sacrificed much to protect this realm, relinquishing their sight and their tongues to preserve this archive, and also of those who are intent on its destruction. Together with Mirabel, a fierce, pink-haired protector of the place, and Dorian, a handsome, barefoot man with shifting alliances, Zachary travels the twisting tunnels, darkened stairwells, crowded ballrooms, and sweetly soaked shores of this magical world, discovering his purpose—in both the mysterious book and in his own life.

Discussion Questions

  • How does the concept of storytelling play a pivotal role in 'The Starless Sea'?
  • Discuss the symbolism of the sea and the key in the narrative.
  • How do the multiple narratives within the book interconnect with each other?
  • What are your thoughts on the role of fate versus free will as portrayed in the story?
  • How does the book explore the theme of love and its various forms?
  • In what way does the story challenge the traditional boundaries of fantasy literature?
  • How significant are the bookish elements in shaping the story’s universe?
  • Discuss the dynamic between reality and fantasy in 'The Starless Sea'.
  • How do the characters evolve throughout their interactions with the mysterious underground world?
  • What emotions did the book evoke as you navigated through its intricate plot?
Authors: Erin Morgenstern
ISBN: 978-1101971383
Publisher: Anchor
Published Date: 2019-11-05

Maple Bourbon Cider

Maple Bourbon Cider
A warm, spiced cocktail that combines the autumn flavors of apple cider with the rich sweetness of maple syrup and the warmth of bourbon.

Ingredients

Cider:

  • 2 cups apple cider

Cocktail:

  • 1 oz bourbon
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • Sliced apple, for garnish

Instructions

Prepare the Cider:

  • Heat the apple cider in a saucepan until warm.

Make the Cocktail:

  • In a mug, combine warm cider, bourbon, maple syrup, and cinnamon.
  • Stir well to combine.

Garnish and Serve:

  • Garnish with a slice of apple.
  • Serve warm and enjoy.