French Recipe: Apple Rustic Pie – A Taste of Rustic Charm
This recipe brings you a delightful twist on the classic apple pie, embracing the rustic charm of French patisserie. Forget the perfectly crimped edges; this pie celebrates the beauty of imperfection. Get ready to bake a rustic masterpiece that's as delicious as it is visually appealing!
Ingredients:
This recipe makes one 9-inch rustic apple pie.
For the Crust:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, very cold and cubed
- ½ cup ice water
For the Filling:
- 6-8 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix are recommended), peeled, cored, and sliced
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground allspice
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions:
Making the Crust:
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in the butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Work quickly to prevent the butter from melting.
- Add ice water: Gradually add the ice water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing lightly until the dough just comes together. Do not overmix.
- Form the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently form it into a disk. Wrap the disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Assembling the Pie:
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and lemon juice. Toss gently to coat the apples evenly.
- Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out about two-thirds of the dough into a 12-inch circle.
- Transfer to baking sheet: Carefully transfer the dough to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Add the filling: Spoon the apple filling onto the center of the dough, leaving a 2-inch border. Dot the top with the small pieces of butter.
- Fold and crimp: Fold the edges of the dough over the filling, pleating as you go. Don't worry about making it perfect; a rustic look is the goal!
- Roll out remaining dough: Roll out the remaining dough and cut out shapes (leaves, stars, etc.) to decorate the top, if desired.
- Bake: Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, cover the edges loosely with foil.
- Cool and serve: Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving. Enjoy warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream!
Tips for the Perfect Rustic Apple Pie:
- Use a mix of apples: Combining different apple varieties creates a more complex flavor profile.
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing will result in a tough crust.
- Chill the dough: Chilling the dough helps prevent shrinkage during baking.
- Let it cool: Allowing the pie to cool completely helps the filling set.
This French-inspired rustic apple pie is perfect for any occasion. Its simple elegance and heartwarming flavor will surely impress your guests and become a new family favorite. Bon appétit!
