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1
In a food processor, pulse the flour, butter, sugar, and salt until the mixture resembles coarse meal with a few pea-size clumps of butter remaining. Add 2 tablespoons of the water. Pulse until the mixture holds together when squeezed but is still crumbly (add more water, a little at a time, as necessary). Avoid overprocessing, which will make the dough tough.
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2
Place the still crumbly mixture on a sheet of plastic wrap. Shape it into a 1-inch-thick disk, using the plastic wrap to help. Wrap tightly and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour. (The dough can be frozen at this point for up to 2 months.) If frozen, place the dough in the refrigerator the day before and then at room-temp the day of baking.
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3
Day of: Place the dough on a floured piece of parchment or wax paper. Using your knuckles, make indentations around the dough (this will help prevent cracking when you roll the dough out). With a floured rolling pin, roll the dough into an 11- inch circle (work from the center outward, and use the parchment to rotate the dough). Flour the rolling pin, parchment, and dough as necessary to prevent sticking.
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4
Loosen the dough from the parchment and carefully transfer to an 11-inch pie plate (I had enough for an 11-inch pie plate), tart pan or 4 individual tart pans. Fit the dough into the plate. Trim the dough.
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5
With the index finger of one hand, press the dough against the thumb and fore-finger of the opposite hand; continue around the perimeter of the crust. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 days before using.
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6
Day of: If you are making a full size pie or tart, follow these instructions, otherwise, skip to filling. Take a fork and puncture the bottom of the crust. Prebake at 350 for 20 minutes and cool. Use any leftover dough to make a lattice or other topping.
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7
Mix all ingredients for filling and place over crust.
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8
Mix all ingredients together and crumble over the pie/tarts before baking.
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9
Preheat oven to 350. In a bowl, combine apples, sugar, lemon juice, spices and flour. Toss and spoon mixture into pie or tart pan(s), dot with butter and cover with crust if you wish. Cut steam vents on top and crimp edges together. Brush with egg and sprinkle extra sugar over the top. Bake about an hour and then cool.
