Apple Butter Pie with Oatmeal Pecan Crust

"[Photograph: Sarah Baird] In this comforting pie, a spiced apple butter filling is poured into a sweet oat-pecan crust. Notes: While apple butter from the store or farmer's market will ensure this pie is delicious, nothing beats spicing your own creamy apple concoction. While it is a bit time consuming, using organic applesauce can help speed up the transformation of ho-hum apples into rich, aromatic apple butter. Combine 3 cups of sweetened organic applesauce in a crock pot with 1 tablespoon each nutmeg, allspice, clove, cinnamon, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and 1/4 cup of sugar. Allow to cook on low heat for 24 hours, stirring often, with the lid removed for the last 1-2 hours. About the author: Sarah Baird is a writer, editor, and petit four aficionado living in New Orleans, Louisiana. She likes planning elaborate dinner parties surrounded by her collection of dwarf citrus trees. You can read her latest musings and about her various misadventures on her website: hellosarahbaird.com or follow her on Twitter: @scbaird. Every recipe we publish is tested, tasted, and Serious Eats-approved by our staff. Never miss a recipe again by following @SeriousRecipes on Twitter!..."