No-Bake Apple Pie (The Pie is a Lie)

Too many times have I bought a bulk bag of apples and have been disappointed. I know it's nearly impossible to buy a store-bought bag of perfect, unblemished, apples, but a girl can dream.

I developed this recipe on a whim, using bruised apples, bechamel sauce (with water instead of milk), brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Sure, it's similar to last year's posting of Apple Pie Bites, but this method is a lot quicker, and requires no baking whatsoever. Make it when you're bored (or the day before a party) and set it in the fridge. Slice, nuke, and enjoy. Or eat it cold, weirdo.

No-Bake Apple Pie

Prep: 5 minutes  Cook: 10-15 minutes  Total: 20 minutes + 1 hour to cool  Makes: 1 9-inch pie

Equipment:
sauce pot/small pot

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons	butter
2 tablespoons	flour
1 cup	water
4-5	small sweet apples (such as gala), cubed
3 tablespoons	brown sugar
3 tablespoons	granulated sugar (such as white or raw)
1 teaspoon	Cinnamon
1 teaspoon	lemon juice (optional)
1 9-inch	graham cracker pie crust, store bought or homemade

Method:
1. In a small pot on medium heat, melt butter. Stir in flour until well combined, then add water all at   once. Stir to combine, then quickly stir in the apples.

2. Turn heat to low, and stir in the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice (if using). Stir occasionally, every two minutes or so for about 8-15 minutes, or until apples reach desired tenderness.

3. Pour apple pie mixture into graham cracker pie crust, and place in refrigerator for about 1 hour or more. Slice and heat when ready to eat.

Tips: 
1. For the original test run for this recipe, I used Paula Red apples. For the final recipe, I used Gala. They both tasted good. Honestly, any sweet-tart apple will likely do.
2. No brown sugar? That's okay. Just add about 3 more Tablespoons regular sugar, or however much sweetness you desire. 
3. If using a very tart apple, such as granny smith, you may not want to use lemon juice.
4. Be sure to cut off/cut around bruises when cubing the apples. Or don't. Whatever.
5. Obviously, this recipe can also be divided among small or mini pie crusts. As far as how MANY, I'm can't give a 100% accurate answer, but let me know if YOU find out!