Apple-Butter Pumpkin Pie

This classic pie gets even better with apple butter, another autumn favorite. It adds extra sweetness and a slightly softer texture. The streusel topping adds a bit of crunch.

Ingredients

• 1 recipe Nut Pastry (see recipe below)
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon water
• Granulated sugar (optional)
• 1 15 ounce can pumpkin
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup apple butter
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 egg yolk, slightly beaten
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• Vanilla ice cream (optional)

Directions

1. Prepare the Nut Pastry. On lightly floured surface, roll out half of the pastry to fit a 9-inch pie plate. Ease into pie plate; trim pastry to edge of pie plate. Roll out remaining pastry to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out 1/2- to 1-inch fall or holiday designs. In a small bowl combine the 1 egg and water. Brush over edge of pastry in pie plate. Arrange cutouts around edge of pastry. Brush cutouts with egg mixture. Sprinkle with granulated sugar, if you like. Set pie plate aside.
2. For filling, in a medium bowl, combine pumpkin, 1/2 cup brown sugar, apple butter, cinnamon, ginger, salt and cloves. Add 2 eggs and egg yolk; beat lightly with a fork just until combined. Gradually add whipping cream; stir till combined. Turn into prepared crust.
3. Loosely cover edge of pastry with foil to prevent overbrowning. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 20 minutes. Remove foil; bake 20 minutes more. Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine the nuts, butter, flour and 2 tablespoons brown sugar. Sprinkle over the pie. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes more or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
4. Cool on wire rack. Cover and chill in the refrigerator within 2 hours. If desired, serve with vanilla ice cream. Makes 8 to 10 servings.

Nut Pastry

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup ground pecans or walnuts
• 8 - 10 tablespoons water

Directions

1. In a medium bowl stir together flour and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening until pieces are pea size. Stir in ground pecans or walnuts. Sprinkle with water, 1 tablespoon at a time, over mixture and toss until moistened. Form into a ball.