I've lived in apple country (WNY) my entire life, and I've been baking apple pies more than half of that time! My family (blood relatives, neighbors, and church) agree the taste of my apple combo is one of the best: Cortland, 20-ounce, and Northern Spy. If you want to change out the Spy, feel free. Having 2-3 apples in the combo is a must!! Also, I don't use ANY white sugar. Only brown but prefer Fiji sugar as it's less processed. I let my apples 'soak' in the sugar for at least an hour or more while the juices come out getting ready to thicken with your choice of thickener. Add lots of cinnamon and a pinch or two of nutmeg. Put into your favorite crust (mine's a Pennsylvania-Dutch) and bake away. Totally worth the time in waiting for your favorite apples!

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