Instructions

1. Combine the flour, almonds, salt and brown sugar in a food processor. Set the processor to "Pulse" to mix the ingredients. Add the butter and continue pulsing until the mixture appears course. Add 1 tbsp. water at a time. Continue to pulse until the mixture begins clumping together.

2. Remove the pie dough from the food processor. Place the dough on a clean surface, lightly covered in flour. Separate the dough into two even sections. Create two circles the size of a pie pan. Use your hands to create the discs, or flatten them out with a rolling pin. The butter will still be apparent in the dough. Wrap each dough circle in plastic wrap and place them in the refrigerator.

3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place the oven rack so that it sits one third of a way from the bottom of the oven.

4. Add the sugar, flour, allspice, nutmeg and cinnamon in a bowl. Sift the dry ingredients with your hands, and carefully add the apples into the mixture. Make sure you coat all the apples with the seasonings. Pour the brandy and vanilla extract into the mixture and stir one last time.

5. Remove one of the dough circles from the refrigerator. Allow it to warm up to room temperature for five to 10 minutes. Gently sprinkle flour over the top of the disk. Use a rolling pin to roll the circle out to 1/8-inch thick and 12 inches in diameter. Add flour to the flat surface to keep the dough from sticking.

6. Fold the dough circle in half, carefully. Place the dough circle in a 9-inch pie plate, and line the fold with the center of the pan. Unfold the dough circle and press the edge down on the edge of the pie pan.

7. Pour the apple filling into the pie. Make a slight mound in the center of the pie with the apples.

8. Roll out the second dough circle to the same size as the first. Carefully turn it over on top of the apples. Pinch the dough circles together to form the crust edge. Trim any excess dough, and leave ¾-inch overhanging. Fold the dough underneath itself.

9. Combine the egg yolk and cream in a bowl. Blend the two ingredients together, and brush the mixture over the top of the apple pie. Cut slits in the top to allow the steam to escape.

10. Bake the apple pie for 20 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees F. Use aluminum foil to tent the crust if it browns too quickly. Bake for an additional 20 to 45 minutes or until the crust becomes golden brown. Allow the pie to cook on a rack for 1 hour.