My absolute favorite is a blend of Northern Spies and Macs, or Northern Spies with Empires. Then you get the "glue" from the softer apples but a nice texture and deeper flavor from having the Northern Spies in there too. I don't prefer mushy pies, but the harder/firmer apples don't hold the pie structure as well by themselves, and enhancing the flavors with added varieties is always a plus in my book. I do avoid the less flavorful Delicious types and Honey Crisps for baking, always. Gala and Fuji do okay in a pinch. Braeburn is better than either of them, but it's not always available like those two. I wish it was easier to get Northern Spies!

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