Julie Titus, of Aptos, took the top prize winning “Best of Show” at the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau’s 47th Annual Apple Pie Baking Contest at the Santa Cruz County Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 11.
She has entered before.
This year, her pie not only had a wonderful taste but it was beautiful to behold.
The judges had to consider more than 50 entries in three divisions, adult, youth and masters — no easy task.
The judges are different every year. This year’s judges were: Erica Padilla-Chavez, CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank; Jake Mann, Five Mile Orchards; Judie Block, reporter, Times Publishing Group; and David Sanford, Santa Cruz County ag commissioner.
•••
Division Winners
Youth
- Charlotte Moody, Watsonville
- Danielle Fowler, Royal Oaks
- Keara McNutt, Watsonville
Adult
- Julie Titus, Aptos
- London Johnson, Santa Cruz
- Laura Ortiz Speigel, La Selva Beach
Masters
- Maggie Kasunich, Watsonville
- Rita Hewitt, Watsonville
- Skeeter Flores, Watsonville
•••
Julie Titus’ Apple Pie
Pastry Crust
- 4 cups flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 egg
- ½ cup cold water
- 1 ¾ cups shortening (cut into pieces)
Mix together flour, sugar and salt. Cut in shortening and butter until crumbly.
Beat water, egg and vinegar together. Add to flour mix until moistened.
Divide into 2-3 round discs and wrap with plastic. Chill at least 30 minutes.
Filling
- 7 cups apples
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1-2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp flour
- Dash of vanilla
- 2 tbsp butter
Mix together sugar, cinnamon and flour. Mix with apples, then add a dash of vanilla and mix some more.
Pour in pastry-lined 9” pie plate. Dot with butter, cover with top crust. Cut slits and sprinkle with sugar.
Bake 15 minutes at 425 degrees, then reduce to 375 for 20 minutes and finish at 350 degrees.