A homemade apple pie can achieve a golden crust by adding one ingredient before baking: ground ginger. The spice is part of a five-ingredient recipe from JAZZ Apples, which places the fruit at the centre of the dessert.
Apple pie remains a timeless classic, featuring soft apples baked under a golden pastry topping, typically with sugar and comforting spices like cinnamon or nutmeg. It is strongly linked with both British and American cuisine. Nevertheless, versions of apple-filled pastries have been savoured throughout Europe for generations.
A quality apple pie typically contains firm and somewhat sharp apples. Bramley apples prove particularly favoured across the UK. Apple pie is frequently accompanied by a substantial portion of smooth custard, fresh cream or a dollop of vanilla ice cream.
Five ingredients for the dish
You will only require five ingredients to prepare the dish, with a shortcut technique to help achieve a golden topping. Simply follow nine simple steps to create the dessert, ideal for enjoying with family and friends.
Ingredients:
- Five to six apples, cored, peeled and thinly sliced
- Two teaspoons of ground ginger
- One tablespoon of ground cinnamon
- Three tablespoons of light brown sugar
- 1 x 320g pack ready-rolled sweet shortcrust pastry
Method for a golden finish
Preheat the oven to 190°C/170°C fan/Gas Mark 5. In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples with the ginger, cinnamon and brown sugar, tossing until evenly coated. Lightly grease a 20-25cm pie dish or tart tin and line with the shortcrust pastry, trimming any excess.
Line the pastry with baking paper and fill with baking beans, dried chickpeas or dried lentils. Blind bake for 10 minutes, then remove the paper and baking beans. Spoon the spiced apple mixture into the pastry case.
Finish with your chosen pastry topping - whether that's a traditional lattice pattern, a complete pastry covering or decorative cut-outs. If opting for a complete lid, make several small cuts in the surface to let steam escape.
Baking and serving
Place in the oven for 30-35 minutes, until the pastry turns golden brown and the apples become tender. For an optional shiny appearance, glaze the warm pastry with a touch of warmed apricot jam immediately after removing from the oven.
Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving alongside cream, custard, yoghurt or vanilla ice cream.
