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Traditional Apple Pie Recipe

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By , About.com Guide

Traditional Apple Pie Recipe, Traditional Apple PiePhoto © istock.com
A classic dessert or tea time treat has to be a traditional apple pie. This traditional apple pie recipe is quick and easy and ensures a perfect result every time. Use cooking or Bramley apples for the best filling, eating apples don't soften the same way.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients:

  • Pastry
  • 7 oz/200g all purpose/plain flour
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 stick/ 110g butter, cubed or an equal mix of butter and lard
  • 2-3 tbsp cold water
  • Filling
  • 1 ½ lbs/700g cooking apples, peeled, cored and quartered
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • ½ cup/ 100g sugar
  • 4 - 6 tbsp cold water
  • 1 level tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ stick/25g butter
  • Milk to glaze

Preparation:

Method
  • Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean bowl.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Wrap the dough in Saran wrap/Clingfilm and chill for a minimum of 15 minutes, up to 30 minutes.
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 Saran wrap/ Clingfilm and chill as above.

Heat the oven to 425°F/220°C/gas 7.
  • Meanwhile 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.
  • Roll out half the pastry and line a 7 inch/13cm pie dish. Put the cooled, cooked apple mixture to the pastry case.
  • 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 and press the edges firmly together and crimp the edges to decorate.
  • Brush the top of the pie with milk and bake at the top of a hot oven for 20 - 25 minutes.
  • Serve hot or cold with cream, ice cream or custard sauce.

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