Description
A refined twist on a classic apple pie, featuring crisp apples and a glossy toffee glaze.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 recipe shortcrust pastry (about 500 g / enough for a 9-inch pie)
- 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1.2 kg (about 6) tart apples (Granny Smith or Bramley), peeled, cored, thinly sliced
- 60 g granulated sugar
- 30 g light brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (to prevent browning)
- 120 g unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 120 g light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 120 ml double cream (or heavy cream), warmed slightly
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of coarse sea salt
- 50 g toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped (optional)
- Maldon or other flaky sea salt, for finishing
- Vanilla ice cream or custard, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the pastry: chill the shortcrust dough for 30 minutes, then roll to fit a 9-inch pie dish. Line the dish, trim the edges, and chill again for 15 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush the chilled pastry with beaten egg and bake for 10–12 minutes until pale gold. Remove and let cool slightly.
- Toss the sliced apples with lemon juice, both sugars, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Arrange apples in the par-baked crust in concentric layers. Reserve any extra spiced juices.
- Make the toffee: in a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat, then add the brown sugar and stir until dissolved.
- Slowly stir in the warmed cream off the heat and return to low heat, simmer 1–2 minutes until silky and thickened. Stir in vanilla and a pinch of sea salt.
- Spoon two-thirds of the toffee over the arranged apples, then cover with remaining pastry or a decorative lattice; brush with egg wash.
- Bake for 35–45 minutes until the filling bubbles and the crust is deep golden.
- Rest the pie for 20–30 minutes; drizzle reserved toffee over slices, scatter toasted nuts, and finish with flaky sea salt.
- Serve warm with vanilla custard or a scoop of ice cream.
Notes
Blind-bake the crust briefly to prevent a soggy bottom. Slice apples uniformly for even tenderness.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg