Donna Kelce stepped into the spotlight a few years ago when both her sons became NFL stars. Jason recently retired from the Philadelphia Eagles, and Travis is a tight-end for the Super Bowl champs Kansas City Chiefs (Travis is also in a high-profile romance with Taylor Swift). And while Donna appeared on The Today Show to share her fave Mother's Day presents from Amazon, we happen to know she's a major fan of Chicos.
Last year we asked her 40 questions as she shopped at one of our boutiques, you can listen to her answers here on our YouTube channel. This year we asked Donna to share a favorite recipe with other Chicos women. After all what says family more than a wonderful meal? Donna didn't hesitate and gave us her recipe for apple crumb pie and tells us more about the dessert and what it's meant to her and her family.
Can you tell us the story of the apple crumb pie recipe and why it’s so special you wanted to share it with Chicos customers?
This was my step-mom‘s favorite apple pie recipe , and it was always meant to be shared with others or at gatherings. She used to make it all the time for neighbors that would move in, or if a family was having rough times. It was made with love and everyone that got one of her apple crumble pies felt her love. They felt the sense of community and caring. They understood that they were not alone in their struggles. Nothing beats a crumb topping rather than pastry. Brown sugar can add flavor and moisture to bake goods. It is less refined than white sugar and contains molasses, which gives it a darker color, richer flavor, and a softer texture. The molasses also helps bake goods retain moisture and prevents the pie from drying out. The brown sugar topping makes this the best pie topping - as far as I’m concerned. I also add this topping to my blueberry muffins.
When do you serve the Apple Crumb Pie – holidays, birthdays? And any fun anecdotes you can share about the dessert?
I only cooked pies in the fall or winter, when stuck in the house. Peeling apples was time consuming! Now you can get apples already peeled and sliced… making this a much easier task. My boys were not fond of fruit pies, so I usually shared the pies at picnics, sporting events or other people’s gatherings.
What does food and dessert mean to you and your family? Such as creating memories, family conversation over the dinner table etc.
Food is always front and center at family gatherings. Sharing food brings people together. It fosters a sense of community and strengthens family bonds. Sharing and passing down recipes can connect us with our past and can create lasting memories. It can contribute to a sense of identity and belonging thru conversations and laughter that are heard at the dinner table. The memories are lovingly kept long after our loved ones have moved on.
APPLE CRUMB PIE
INGREDIENTS
5-7 tart apples (I use Granny Smiths) or two No. 2 cans (5 cups) sliced pie apples drained
1 9-inch unbaked pastry shell (store bought or frozen is fine)
1 cup sugar (divided)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¾ cup enriched flour
1/3 cup unsalted butter or margarine
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Pare apples; cut in eights. Arrange in unbaked pie shell. Mix ½ cup sugar with the cinnamon; sprinkle over apples.
Mix ½ cup sugar with the flour; cut in butter till crumbly. Sprinkle over apples.
Bake in over 40 minutes or until done. (Usually takes longer than that. I watch for browning crumbs and bubbling juice). Cool.
Spoon whipped cream on top; sprinkle with more cinnamon-sugar mixture. (I usually use vanilla ice cream or a cheddar cheese wedge but whipped cream works great too!)
