It’s three times the charm for a Lehigh County woman at the Pennsylvania Farm Show.

Lorrie Rauch of New Tripoli was named the 2023 blue ribbon winner for her Ultimate Apple Pie recipe during this year’s show in Harrisburg.

This is the third time Rauch has won the honor for her recipes. She also took home first place ribbons in 2009 and 2013; as well as third place ribbons in 2010 and second place in 2011.

Rauch told media outlets that when it comes to her recipes, it is all about the apples. In this year’s pie, she used Cortland apples.

“I think it’s fantastic to win for the state, to represent Pennsylvania and pie baking,” Rauch said. “And from where I’m from, Lehigh County, representing the Kempton Fair. I think it’s fantastic.”

Rauch began baking in 2001 when her children were in the 4-H program.

Since then, she has honed in on her culinary skills and has whipped up dishes that have made tastebuds sing.

The Ultimate Apple Pie

Makes 1 9-inch pie

Pie crust

4 cups flour

1 egg beaten

1 tablespoon sugar

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

11/2 teaspoons salt

1/2 cup water

1 1/2 cups lard (buttered Crisco)

In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar and salt. With a pastry blender or two knives, cut in lard until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Mix together egg, vinegar and water. Add to flour mixture. Mix until dough is moistened enough so it holds together. When it is chilled, roll dough on a lightly floured surface.

Filling

First peel and slice 8 cups of baking apples (cortland preferred)

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup pie enhancer/thickener (King Arthur’s Baker Catalog)

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/3 cup boiled apple cider (King Arthur’s Baker Catalog)

Mix together sugar, pie enhancer and cinnamon. Gently toss apples until coated and then add boiled apple cider and gently mix. Let mixture set for 30 minutes. Place apple mixture into unbaked pie shell and dot with butter (approximately 1 tablespoon).

Crumb topping

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup flour

2 tablespoons butter, softened

1/4 cup oatmeal

1/4 roasted chopped pecans

Mix together brown sugar, oatmeal, flour and pecans. Cut in butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over apple mixture. Use some extra dough to decorate top of pie. Brush milk over top of decorated dough and sprinkle with coarse gourmet sugar. Bake at 375F for total of 60 minutes (cover edge of crust using pie edge cover during baking). Remove from oven. Cool on wire rack. Drizzle with homemade caramel (boil can of Eagle brand sweetened condensed milk for 3 hours). Dust crust edges with 10X sugar.