Garance Galore

Nothing says comfort like a warm apple pie, especially as the weather starts to get chilly. Whether you enjoy it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream after dinner or paired with a warm tea for breakfast, this recipe is bound to bring a moment of pure coziness.

Ingredients

Pie Crust

• 125g room-temperature butter
• 250g flour
• 50ml of lukewarm water
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tsp cinnamon (optional but enhances the warm, spicy flavor)
• 1 tsp white sugar

Apple Filling

• 8 apples (I used Pink Lady apples, but feel free to experiment!)
• 1 tbsp vanilla sugar (or substitute with vanilla extract)
• Juice of half a lemon
• 20g butter
• 1 or 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tbsp honey (optional, for added sweetness)

Instructions

Making the Pie Crust

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and cinnamon. Gradually add in the butter.

2. Knead the dough for about 1 minute, then slowly add the water, mixing as you go.

3. Once the dough comes together, incorporate the egg yolk, mixing until the dough is smooth and uniform.

4. Sprinkle flour on your counter, place the dough on it, and roll it out to your preferred thickness (you can use a rolling pin or even a bottle).

5. Fold the dough gently into quarters, then transfer it to a baking tray lined with baking paper. Prick the crust with a fork and chill it in the fridge while you prepare the filling.

Preparing the Apple Filling

1. Peel all 8 apples. Dice 4 of them into medium-sized cubes (these will become the applesauce base for the pie), and slice the remaining 4 into thin slices to layer on top.

2. In a heated pan, melt the butter, add the diced apples and vanilla sugar, and cook until golden.

3. Once golden, add about half a glass of water,the lemon juice and the cinnamon sticks. Let the apples soften, then mash them directly in the pan for a chunky sauce, or blend half of it for a smoother texture.

4. Allow the applesauce to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes.

Assembling the Pie

1. Remove the crust from the fridge, spread the applesauce evenly over it, and arrange the apple slices on top.

2. Fold the edges of the dough with a fork. Sprinkle a bit of sugar and cinnamon over the apples.

3. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 40 minutes, or until golden brown.

4. Once out of the oven, brush a teaspoon of honey over the pie for a lovely glaze together with a little bit of lemon juice.

Let the pie cool slightly before serving, then enjoy this delicious, heartwarming treat. Bon appétit!

Till next time,

Garance