This apple pie is a great way to use up any apples lurking in the fruit bowl beyond eating fresh. It is also easily transportable to take to a shared dinner or potluck. It is best made with heritage apples or tart cooking apples such as Braeburn or Granny Smith. The recipe may look a little complex, but it is simple to make, the pastry resting time being the longest component. The pastry can be made ahead of time and chilled until needed. Or at a pinch, store-bought pastry could be used - look for pastry made with real butter. I often double the recipe when making pastry and freeze half for a quick pie another day.
Prep Time 30 minutesmins
Cook Time 40 minutesmins
Resting time 45 minutesmins
Ingredients
Pastry:
1cup(150g) plain flour
1tbspsugar
100gcold butter, cut into 5 mm cubes
2tspapple cider vinegar
3-4tbspiced water
Apple & Lemon Filling:
⅓cup(70g) sugar
50gmelted butter
zest and juice of 1 medium lemon (about 3 tbsp juice total)
2free-range eggs
2tbspflour
2-3apples (about 400g), peeled and grated
Instructions
In a food processor, pulse together the flour and sugar to combine. Add the butter and pulse 6-8 times to combine. While pulsing the engine, add the vinegar and enough iced water until the mixture holds together when pressed.
The pastry can also be made by hand by rubbing the butter into the flour (don’t overdo this, some bigger chunks of butter are okay). Mix in the vinegar and water using a butter knife until the dough comes together.
Either way, tip the pastry onto the bench and quickly shape it into a flat disk. Place into a covered container and chill for a minimum of 30 minutes to rest the pastry for easier rolling. Or refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Preheat the oven to 190C (fan 170C). Grease a 25 cm pie dish.
On a lightly floured bench roll the pastry out into a round to fit the dish. Carefully press into the dish and trim the edges - you can be a little rustic with the pastry edge. Pierce the pastry a few times with a fork and chill again for 15-20 minutes (resting the pastry once rolled helps to prevent shrinkage).
Make the filling. In the mixing bowl combine the sugar, butter, lemon zest and juice, eggs and flour. Whisk to combine. Add the grated apple and mix together.
Pour the filling into the chilled pastry and bake for 30-35 minutes until set and golden.
Serve wedges of pie warm or cold with yoghurt or vanilla ice cream.