Karisa's Apple Pie (or Peach Pie)

For use with your favorite pie crust or streusel recipe or use mine

Prepared top and bottom pie crust and or streusel topping for 1 pie

4-5 Granny Smith Apples (can substitute peaches but leave out the cinnamon)

2 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2 c. sugar (some recipes call for 1 cup, but I don't like it so sweet)

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

pinch or two of salt

cream cheese to taste

Prepare your favorite pie crust. I like my homemade ones, but if I'm in a hurry, I do store-bought generic, with a homemade a streusel topping. 

I peel and core 5-6 Granny Smith apples and chop them small-medium dice. Then I toss these with 2 Tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, and a few pinches of salt.  

Once these are stirred together really well to evenly distribute the flavors, I pour it all into the pie crust and top with dots of cream cheese (about dime size). Then sprinkle on the streusel topping liberally. 

Bake at 425 for 15 minutes. Then lower heat to 350 for 30-40 minutes more. Just keep an eye on it and don't let the top burn. 

This pie isn't too sweet which I like. I can't really even tell the cream cheese is in there, but it makes a difference I love. Serve hot with vanilla ice-cream, or room temperature after it cools. 

*if using peaches leave out the cinnamon and only do half the nutmeg. 

**I like to add in some raspberries or other berries which is why the second pie looks red. It's all apple, but just a handful of raspberries turned it red. 

For the streusel topping: 
1 c. flour
½ c. butter
½ c. white sugar
¼ tsp baking powder

I add all these to a food processor to cut together.