Ozark Pie

I am at the bottom of the apple basket. Finally. There were just a few small apples left yesterday, not enough for another apple pie. (Daddy-O's favorite apple dessert.) But I remembered this recipe that came from my sister over 30 years ago. It only needs one cup of chopped apple. I had enough apples to make this!

This recipe for Ozark Pie is not exactly a pie. If you do a Google search for this recipe, you'll see it called Ozark Pudding, too—and it isn't a pudding either. It has a wonderful crispy/chewy texture. It's a great dessert for the small amount of effort required.

Mommy ate it for breakfast. Yep, I baked this first thing in the morning while Baby Girl was asleep. Breakfast dessert. There is such a thing, isn't there? Mommy said she could have eaten it all. I do believe she stopped with two pieces.

The batter part of this dish is very stiff. I kind of had to pat it out into the dish. It bakes up with a crackled, crispy crust. It is delicious warm, but if you want neater slices, let it cool first. Next time I think I will use baking spray instead of regular PAM. 

I have no idea how this Ozark recipe came to my sister here in the deep South so many years ago—back before the internet and Pinterest and Google and food blogs from around the country. But we are happy it did. 

OZARK PIE

1 large egg

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1-1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 cup diced apple

1 cup chopped nuts

1 teaspoon vanilla

Beat egg. Add sugar and beat well. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. (I just whisk it together instead of sifting.) Stir into egg/sugar mix. Blend well. Fold in apples, nuts and vanilla. Pour into well-greased 9-inch pie plate. 

Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.

Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.