{Eat} Rustic Home-made apple pie, just like Grandma's

There's certain things that remind you of home and in particular your Mother or Grandmother. One of those things would have to be apple pie.The warmth of the kitchen, wafts of cinnamon, the homeliness of freshly cooked apples and the sight of our Grandmother rolling out her home-made pastry. Such a simple dish that brings you so many thoughts of happiness. It's a classic recipe that has stood the test of time.

This apple pie is a little different in that you don't need a pie dish- it's a free-form apple pie. Very easy and simple to make, and you don't need to worry about precooking the pastry. You just roll out the pastry, spoon the filling onto the centre of the pastry and then fold up the edges. Simple!

Granny Smith apples are one of the best apple varieties to use. They will keep their shape when you cook them and they are slightly tart, which means your apple pie won't be too sweet.

Your butter needs to be of good quality, and it needs to be chilled when you are making pastry...and yes, you will make your pastry from scratch! Go on, you can do it!

Ok, let's get your ingredients together.

For the pastry

•  250g plain flour, plus a bit extra for dusting
•  50g icing sugar
•  pinch of salt
• 125g cold butter- unsalted
• 2 large eggs
•  1-2 tabs of milk

For the filling:-

• 5 large Granny Smith apple- or a similar variety
• 3 tablespoons Demerara or raw sugar- plus extra for sprinkling
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup of sultanas
• zest of ½ a lemon

1. Preheat your oven to 180ºC/350ºF

To make the pastry:-

1. Sift your flour into a bowl.

2. Add the sugar and a pinch of salt

3. Cut the butter into cubes, then add to the bowl
4. Use your fingertips to gently work the butter into the flour and sugar until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

5. Crack one egg into the bowl with a small amount of milk (you may not need to use all of the milk) and gently mix with your hands until the dough comes together. 

Wrap your pastry in clingwrap and leave it to rest in the fridge for 30 mins. In the meantime, while you are waiting, you can make your filling.

To make the filling:-

1. Peel your apples
2. Core your apples and cut inot quarters.
3. Add all the apple pieces to a small pan with the sugar, cinnamon and sultanas

4. Add the zest of half a lemon, then squeeze in a little juice
5. Stir it around and then leave the saucepan on a medium low heat to gently cook
6. Simmer gently for 5-10 minutes or until the apples are just tender
7. Remove from heat and allow to cool

8. Dust your bench and rolling pin with flour. Roll out your pastry ball into a large circle shape. The pastry should be about 1/2 cm in thickness. If you would like neater edges you can cut around the edges with a sharp knife.

9. Move your pastry onto a baking tray

10. Place your cooled apple filing into the centre of the pastry.

11. Fold up your edges of the pastry.

12. Crack your remaining egg into a bowl and whisk it quickly with a fork. Brush beaten egg wash around the edges of your pastry and then sprinkle with the extra demerara sugar.

13. Place on the centre shelf of your oven and cook for 45 mins.

14. Serve hot with some lashings of fresh cream and some decadent, rich vanilla icecream (I mixed some extra cinnamon through  my icecream for that extra indulgence).

 

 

 

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Comments

[Joan]

Thanks for sharing the recipe. Looks like a yummy dessert. I've pinned it!

[Karen]

Made this tonight, so yummy! Pastry is divine thanks.

[Teresa]

I couldn't wait to try this delicious pie when I found it on your blog. It was absolutely yummy and a huge hit with the family. Thank you so much.... I will definitely be making this again.