Apple pies and their popularity can be traced back to many different factors. These are some worth mentioning:
- Nostalgia and Tradition: The apple pie is deeply interconnected with the American culture and often associated with feelings of nostalgia and tradition. It’s a dessert that many people have formed their memories of and still keep on enjoying with their family and friends during holidays and special occasions, even outside of celebratory moments.
- Versatility: The apple pie can be enjoyed both warm and cold and in the best possible scenario with the ice cream on top or a cup of whipped cream aside. Its versatility makes it suitable for anyone with unique preferences.
- Comfort food: The sweet aroma of baking apples evokes feelings of comfort and coziness. During difficult times, many people turn to familiar comfort food items like the apple pie for a sense of emotional well-being.
- Ease of Preparation: While making any homemade pie from scratch requires some effort, particularly the apple one is quite a simple dessert to prepare, compared to more complex pastries or cakes. Additionally, pre-made pie crusts and the apple pie filling make it even easier for home cooks to put together a delicious pie.
- Seasonality: Apples are mostly used in the fall, making the apple pie a seasonal favourite. The availability of fresh and crisp apples during this time enhances the flavour and appeal of the dessert at the end.
Today, the apple pie is undoubtedly viewed as an iconic symbol of American culinary heritage but can already be enjoyed anywhere in the world. Every type of kitchen has its unique way of preparing this classic dessert, contributing to its rich history. Let’s bake such a memorable pie together in less than an hour! You will certainly be satisfied with the sweet outcome!
Ingredients
- 4-5 large apples,
- 2.5 cups of semi-coarse flour (spelt),
- 1 cup of granulated sugar (cane),
- 1 cup of lukewarm milk,
- ½ cup of oil,
- 2 eggs,
- 2 teaspoons of cinnamon,
- 2 tablespoons of cocoa,
- 1 vanilla sugar,
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda,
- 1 baking powder,
- jam,
- chocolate,
- fruit
Preparation
1
Clean and grate the apples. We will need approximately 700 grams of freshly grated apples for one tray.
2Mix flour, sugar, eggs, milk and oil. Add cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and mix again. Add grated apples and combine.
3Line the baking sheet with the baking paper and pour the dough onto it. Then bake it in the oven at 180 degrees for about half an hour.
4In the meantime, we will prepare the frosting and heat the whipping cream. Before the boiling point, make sure to pour the cream over the cooking chocolate. Leave the hot cream for 10 minutes and mix it together with the chocolate.
5
Pour the glaze on the baked dough while still on the baking sheet. Let it stand. And finally, we can decorate the cake with fruit, whipped cream or jam before serving. If you prefer anything else, do not hesitate to use it!
Bon appetite! Your apple pie is ready to be eaten!
Similar videorecipe to make your baking easier
Read more: 6 fun facts about the apple pie
As it has already been mentioned, the popularity of apple pies has been gradually increasing and so has the content about them. Here are some of the fun facts about such pies we believe you haven’t heard of yet, to make you fall in love with this dessert even more:
- The history of the apple pie goes back to ancient times, with the proof suggesting that the concept of the pie itself, including the ones filled with apples, originated in ancient Rome. Apple pies became specifically popular in England during the 14th and the 15th century. As the colonisation spread, the dessert made its way to North America, particularly within English colonies where it became a symbol of the traditional American cuisine. During the 17th and the 18th century when America was being colonised, the apple pie continued to be a beloved dish with recipes being passed onto the next generations. It was typical for every family to own a certain variation of this recipe.
- Not every kind of apple is actually suitable for baking the pie. There are thousands of apple varieties, but the most popular choices for the preparation of the pie include Granny Smith, Honey crisp and Jonathan apples. Each of them offers original flavour and texture.
- As already known, different regions and cultures have their own unique take on the apple pie. While the traditional apple pie remains to be the absolute favourite, bakers worldwide continue coming up with innovative variations, such as adding the caramel, different kinds of nuts, even bourbon to the filling in order to keep the classic dessert enjoyable and tasty. Did you know that particularly in England, they would sometimes put a slice of the cheddar cheese on or in between the layers of the apple pie? And how about the Netherlands that originally includes national raisins and cinnamon as ingredients for such a dessert? You might potentially not experience this anywhere else in the world.
- The famous apple pie has also been featured in numerous works of literature, such as a typical national phrase “as American as apple pie”, as well as in the popular nursery rhyme “Sing a Song of Sixpence” which mentions “four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie”. Amazing to see how many different spheres have been affected by such a significant type of pie and its unforgettable taste.
- Besides the literature, different “pie-events” have been organised too, keeping in mind these memorable desserts (such as the apple pie) that bring people together. If to mention any, the apple pie appeared many times as a main “pie-item” within contests like “Best Pie in Town” or “Grand Champion” but also as the theme for various festivals and other national American activities held annually till this day.
- In Ontario, Canada, there has been designed a route well-known as the “Apple Pie Trail”. Many tourists from all around the world visit in order to explore orchards, bakeries and cafes that are all specialised and dedicated to making the apple pie the most enjoyable dessert.
Other types of apple pies
Unique kinds of apple pies originally from England or the Netherlands have already been brought up, however that’s not the end. Here are other types of the dessert that might surprise you, or even better, encourage you to try out something new when it comes to baking the pie:
- French Apple Pie (Tarte Tatin): In this upside-down pie, sliced apples are being caramelised in butter and sugar on the stovetop before being covered with pastry and baked. When inverted after the baking process, the apples become the top layer which creates a beautiful presentation.
- Deep-Dish Apple Pie: This variation features a thicker layer of the apple filling, resulting in a taller pie with more fruit filling. It’s the perfect version for those who prefer a higher fruit-to-crust ratio.
- Open-Faced Apple Pie: Also known as a galette or crostata, this rustic pie is made with a single crust pastry folded over the edges of the filling which leaves the centre exposed. It’s easier to assemble than a traditional double-crust pie. It has a charming, free-form appearance.
- Caramel Apple Pie: This indulgent variation incorporates caramel sauce into the apple filling or drizzled over the top crust before baking. The addition of caramel provides more richness and depth of flavour into the pie.
- Apple Crumble Pie: Similar to Dutch apple pie, but with a thicker layer of crumble topping that completely covers the apple filling. The topping typically includes flour, sugar, butter, and oats, creating a crisp and buttery texture.
How should I store the apple pie?
The apple pie can be stored at room temperature for maximum of two days, if we take into account its freshness. After that, it should be refrigerated to remain fresh for another 2 or 3 days.
The pie should be loosely covered with the foil or the plastic wrap in order to be prevented from drying out.
Can I freeze the apple pie?
Yes, you can freeze the apple pie, both before and after baking itself. If you wish to freeze before baking, simply assemble the pie but do not bake it. In this case, wrap it tightly in the plastic wrap and the foil and then freeze. If you are freezing the pie after baking, it is important to let the pie cool completely, then wrap it tightly and freeze. In such a way, frozen apple pies could even be stored for 4-6 months.
Is it possible to make the apple pie with the store-bought crust?
Of course! Although there is no doubt that the homemade version tastes the best, you can certainly use the store-bought pie crust as well and without any shame! This is quite a convenient option, if you don’t have much time left for baking the pie but the cravings for it are huge. The preparation of the store-bought pie crust may slightly differ form product to product, but generally the instructions shouldn’t be difficult and the basis remains the same for sure!
