Today is National Pie Day, not to be confused with National Pi Day (on 3.14, of course) or any number of specific style pie days. To celebrate here is a recipe I recently came across and served to great acclaim at both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Place a cast iron skillet in your oven and preheat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. When heated, place 1/2 cup butter in skillet until it melts. Add 1 cup brown sugar, mix and put back in oven while you prepare about 5 to 6 Granny Smith Apples (core and slice thinly).

Remove skillet and spread butter/brown sugar mixture evenly. Place 1 refrigerated unrolled pie crust on bottom of pan. Spread one half of the prepared apples on top and sprinkle with 1/2 cup white sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Place another refrigerated unrolled pie crust on top of the apples. Spread the remaining apples on top and sprinkle with 1/2 cup white sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Place yet another refrigerated unroll pie crust on top of those apples.

Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of sugar on the top pie crust and 3 tablespoons butter cut into slim slices. Cut slits into pie crust and return skillet to hot oven and cook until apples are tender and top crust is golden, about 45 minutes. Serve warm because that bottom layer of brown sugar will freeze up when cooled (so if there are any left over slices, scoop them out of the skillet while still warm). Serve with sharp cheddar cheese or vanilla ice cream or both!

As always you can find more at http://www.walterthinnes.com and on Twitter @walterthinnes