Apple Pie — the British apple pie
British apple pie is a classic double-crust pie: a pastry-lined deep dish filled with sliced cooking apples (usually Bramley), sugar, cinnamon and cloves, covered with a second pastry lid, baked golden. It is served with custard, cream, or — in the modern style — vanilla ice cream.
i. Origin & history
Apple pie has been baked in Britain since at least the 14th century. The American apple pie evolved from the British version with the addition of more cinnamon and the substitution of dessert apples for cooking apples.
ii. Ingredients
Makes 8 servings · scroll the side panel to adjust
- 350 g plain flour
- Pinch salt
- 60 g caster sugar
- 175 g unsalted butter, cold
- 60 ml cold water
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 kg Bramley apples, peeled and sliced
- 150 g caster sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground clove
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Beaten egg for glaze
- Granulated sugar to top
iii. Method
- Make pastry: rub butter into flour, sugar and salt; mix in yolk and water to a dough. Chill 1 hour. Divide.
- Roll out two-thirds to line a deep 22 cm pie dish. Pile in apples mixed with sugar, spices, cornstarch and lemon.
- Roll out remaining pastry as a lid; brush edges with water; lay over the apples; trim and crimp.
- Cut steam vents. Brush with egg; sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake at 200 °C for 20 min, then 180 °C for 30-35 min. Cool 15 min before slicing.
iv. Tips & common mistakes
- Use the freshest ingredients you can. The recipe relies on them.
- Read the method through first. Several steps must be ready in advance.
- Season patiently. Sweetness and salt are tuned at the end, not the start.
v. Variations
American apple pie uses dessert apples and more cinnamon. French tarte aux pommes is open-top. Dutch apple pie has a crumble top. Apple pie with cheese is the Yorkshire pairing.
vi. Common questions
What is apple pie?
Apple Pie is the british apple pie, from british & irish cuisine. It is served with custard, cream, or — in the modern style — vanilla ice cream
Where is apple pie from?
Apple Pie is from the british & irish dessert tradition; the recipe and history are detailed above.
How long does apple pie keep?
See the storage note in the Quick facts panel: 3 days at room temperature.