The original Sara Lee

Made-from-scratch apple pie, circa 2007:

Won in the looks department, but the filling was cloyingly sweet. Overly-sweet pastries don’t fare too well with our household, so I went for a second try.

Made-from-scratch apple pie 2008 Christmas edition:

Pressed for time, I passed on the fancy crust crimps in favor of a new flakier crust recipe. I forgot to brush egg yolk over the top of the pie before I placed it in the oven, so it lacks the golden brown color of its predecessor. And okay so, it didn’t do so hot in the beauty contest… but it’s the inside that counts!

Brown sugar in lieu of white + more cinnamon + nutmeg + extra buttery crust = a delicious treat and one very happy family on Christmas Eve.