A British apple pie is the classic dessert or tea time treat. The pie is the stalwart of baking and practically every country has their own style. This one is a traditional British, and also Irish, one. Cinnamon is an optional, and not a traditional, flavor in the U.K. Though it is found here more often now as the flavor has crept over from the U.S.
Ingredients
For the Pastry:
- 200 grams (about 1 2/3 cups) all-purpose flour
- 1 pinch salt
- 110 grams (about 4-ounces) cubed unsalted butter, or an equal mix of butter and lard
- 2 to 3 tablespoons cold water
For the Filling:
- 700 grams (about 1 1/2 pounds) cooking apples, peeled, cored, and quartered
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 110 grams (about 4-ounces) sugar
- 4 to 6 tablespoons cold water
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional
- 25 grams (about 1-ounce) unsalted butter
- Milk, as needed for glaze
Methods
For the Pastry
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Gather the ingredients.
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Place the flour, butter and salt into a large, clean bowl.
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Rub the butter into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs, working as quickly as possible to prevent the dough becoming warm.
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Add the water to the mixture and using a cold knife stir until the dough binds together, add more cold water a teaspoon at a time if the mixture is too dry.
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Wrap the dough in clingfilm and chill for a minimum of 15 minutes, up to 30 minutes. Heat the oven to 425 F / 220 C / Gas 7.
For the Filling
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Gather the ingredients.
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Simmer the apples with the lemon juice and water in a large pan until soft. Add the sugar and cinnamon to the cooked apples. Remove from the heat and add the butter and leave to cool.
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Roll out half the pastry and line a 7-inch (18-centimeter) pie dish. Put the cooled, cooked apple mixture into the pastry case.
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Roll out the remaining pastry to make a lid for the pie. Damp the edges of the pastry in the dish with a little cold water, cover with the lid, press the edges firmly together and crimp to decorate.
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Brush the top of the pie with milk and bake in the middle of a hot oven for 20 to 25 minutes.
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Serve hot or cold with cream, ice cream or custard sauce.
Tips
- The dough can also be made in a food processor by mixing the flour, butter and salt in the bowl of the processor on a pulse setting. When the mixture resembles breadcrumbs, add the water, slowly, through the funnel until the dough comes together in a ball. Wrap in plastic and chill as above.
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