Apple pie can be made golden and delicious by adding a single ingredient before baking, according to a recipe from JAZZ Apples. The dessert, which typically features tender apples beneath a golden pastry crust with sugar and spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, is a timeless favourite in both British and American cooking. Variations of apple-filled pastries have been enjoyed across Europe for centuries.
Five ingredients and a cheat method
The recipe requires only five ingredients and uses a cheat method with ready-rolled sweet shortcrust pastry to create a golden crust. It involves nine straightforward steps, making it perfect for sharing with loved ones.
For the filling, bakers need five to six apples, cored, peeled and thinly sliced, two teaspoons of ground ginger, one tablespoon of ground cinnamon, and three tablespoons of light brown sugar. The pastry is a 320g pack of ready-rolled sweet shortcrust pastry. Bramley apples are a particularly popular choice in the UK for apple pie, which is often served with custard, fresh cream or vanilla ice cream.
How to make the apple pie
To begin, 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.
Baking and serving
Top with a preferred pastry design – a classic lattice, a full pastry lid or decorative shapes. If using a full lid, cut a few small slits in the top to allow steam to escape. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the apples are tender.
For an optional glossy finish, brush the warm pastry with a little heated apricot jam as soon as it comes out of the oven. Leave to cool for 10 minutes before serving with cream, custard, yoghurt or vanilla ice cream.
