This recipe has been a family secret for 100 years. It’s a great pie, and deserves to be shared. My petty, vindictive aunts don’t deserve to keep it to themselves. I love and miss you, Grandma!
[PostSecret Facebook Comments]
My “Petty Aunt Pie” just came out of the oven. Looks and smells delicious. Can’t wait to eat it! I miss my Grandma too. I understand why you posted.
I have this theory that people hoard good recipes to maintain friendships with people.
I make this pie every year since I saw the secret! Delicious. Squeeze liquid out of the grated apples first, though.

I want a thread of forbidden family recipes. I’ll go first. Mother puts almond extract in the buttercream frosting. That’s the mystery flavor.
We put some of Mom’s recipes on her memorial cards for people to take with them (of course, we saved a couple of the most loved for just the family).

It sounds great! I hope it brings you joy that it will be made all over the place and everyone will think of your grandma.
The first keepsake I look for when a loved one dies – the recipe box.


[Preparation Tips]

I made two versions of the Petty Aunt Pie [see chart] and distributed pieces around town as I did some errands. Some went to friends, others I gave to complete strangers, including a guy holding a sign that said “hungry and homeless”. Next time I’ll carry some forks with me.


The pie is my secret. I didn’t intentionally time my secret to coincide with Thanksgiving, but it seems to be kismet. My heart is so full of joy that my grandma’s pie is going to be on Thanksgiving tables.