Wait…baking fruit pies in the microwave? I thought this was a stamping blog? Just stick with me.  Today’s post is a bonus post for this week.  I don’t normally blog about anything but stamping but each year around Thanksgiving, I like to share a couple of videos that just might save your life this year.

There’s so much pressure on us at Thanksgiving….

• Will the turkey thaw in time?
• Will your mother-in-law turn her nose up at you stuffing?
• Will your crazy uncle show up and make armpit noises at the table?

I can’t help you with the crazy uncle but I do hope this time saving tip will help you when it comes to making homemade pie.

I am NOT a cook…I hate to cook actually… but my Mom taught me this technique for making pies in the microwave. No, I’m serious! They are the BEST pies ever!!! We’ve been making pies this way since the 70′s when microwaves took up half your counter space. You do most of the baking in the microwave and then brown it in the oven for only 10 minutes. Perfect pies every time! I thought with Thanksgiving around the corner I would share these videos with you again. I get requests every year to share them so now they are a November staple here on my blog.

The first video will show you how to make Make-ahead pie dough. Let’s face it, that’s the hardest part about making a pie. This no-measure method will knock you socks off! Keep the dough in your freezer and you can make pie in a flash!

Simply Simple MAKE AHEAD PIE DOUGH
makes enough for 9 double crust pies

5 lb. bag all-purpose flour
2 Tablespoons salt
3 lb. tub of Crisco (butter flavored, if available)
3 cups ice-cold water
4 drops of yellow food coloring (makes your pies look prettier!)

Mix the flour and salt together. Add all the Crisco and cut in with a pastry blender. When it’s all mixed, add the food coloring to the ice water and pour in ALL AT ONCE. Mix with your hands and separate into approximately (9) 1 lb. pie dough. Flatten slightly and wrap in cling wrap. Place in freezer bags and freeze for up to 6 months.

Thaw when ready to use (about 10 minutes).

Now that you have your pie dough made, let’s MAKE A PIE!!!  You can make any fruit pie in the microwave – apple, cherry, peach, raspberry, blackberry, snozzberry (who ever heard of a snozzberry?)

This video will teach you how to make a pie from beginning to end.  Just think, you might actually impress your in-laws this holiday?  Wahooo!

11 to 14 minutes in the microwave on high, 10 minutes in a 450°F oven!  That’s it!

Q:  If I use fresh fruit (ie. apples, cherries) do I need to change the cooking time?

A:  Nope!  Same cooking time and your apples will be crisp, not mush at all.  And let me share with you a GREAT tip from my Mom.  If you like raisins in your apple pie but want them to be plump and juicy, soak them in some imitation vanilla extract for about 10 minutes. Drain off the extract (pour it back into the jar), and you will have the most amazing sweet juicy raisins in your pie! I keep a bottle of extract in my cupboard just for raisins.

Q:  Can you make pumpkin pie in the microwave?

A:  YES!  My favorite sister (and only sister), Sheila, loves pumpkin pie.  I hate it.  She decided to give it a try and here is what she said…

“I microwaved the pie on medium (Level 6 of 10) for 10 minutes. The sides cooked well, and about a third of the pie looked set. Then I transferred it to the oven and baked 20 minutes @ 325. The pumpkin did pull away from the crust as it cooled, but whipped topping hid that nicely, and it set perfectly all the way through. So baking time was cut in half over the 1 hour oven method.”

I know that some of you may still be skeptical but I have received SO many emails and comments from viewers who tried baking fruit pies in the microwave and now think I am a Pie Making Goddess.  It’s true, I am… but now THEY are too!  I hope you’ll try it out.  You can join us in the Pie Making Goddess Hall of Fame!

I wanted to post this early enough so that you could try it out before the Thanksgiving rush.  I hope that you will.  It’s truly a fabulous recipe!

Now…. back to stamping!  See you guys on tomorrow for my 2-Minute Tuesday Tip. During November, I have a great series for you on Shimmer Paint techniques. You are going to love it!  See ya tomorrow!

QUOTE OF THE DAY – “So the pie isn’t perfect? Cut it into wedges. Stay in control, and never panic.” — Martha Stewart

Thank you for shopping with me and for your loyalty to Simply Simple Stamping!  I know there are a lot of demonstrators out there to choose from… THANK YOU for choosing me!  To show my appreciation, I have something special for you!

If your order is over $30* and you use the NOVEMBER HOST CODE 7GZ77AK3, I have a SURPRISE for you in your hand stamped thank you card!

If your order is over $50* and you use the NOVEMBER HOST CODE 7GZ77AK3, you will receive a FREE PACKAGE OF CHICKEN WIRE ELEMENTS in your hand stamped thank you card plus next month you will receive a pdf filled with some fabulous tutorials! (email will arrive around the 1st of December) 

REMINDER! If your order is over $150, DON’T USE the Host Code. Why? Because Stampin’ Rewards are waiting for you! Stampin’ Rewards start at $15 and go up! Use them or lose them so make sure you redeem them on the order you earned them.  Click “Claim Rewards” instead of “Add to Bag”. It’s that easy! 

*before tax/shipping – (1) gift per month per customer