Desserts Recipes - Apple Pie with Almond Pastry Recipe

Ingredients

Serves 6

• 750 g/1 1/2 lb apples, peeled, cored and sliced

• 2 teaspoons lemon juice

• 125 g/4 oz caster sugar

• a little milk, for glazing

• cloned cream, to serve

Pastry:

• 175 g/6 oz plain flour

• 2 rounded tablespoons ground almonds

• 125 g/4 oz butter, at room temperature

• 25 g/1 oz icing sugar, sifted

• 1 egg yolk

• 2 tablespoons cold water

---

Method:

1. First make the pastry. Put the flour and almonds into a basin, then add the butter. Cut into small pieces and rub into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

2. Add the sifted icing sugar, mix thoroughly and make a well in the centre. Mix together the egg yolk and water and pour into the well. Mix to a rough dough in the basin with a fork.

3. Turn on to a lightly floured surface and knead gently until the dough is quite smooth. Roll into a ball and chill for at least 30 minutes before using.

4. Divide the pastry in half. Roll out the first half and use to line a greased 20 cm/8 inch shallow pie plate.

5. Fill the pie with the apples, lemon juice and the sugar. Moisten the edges, roll out the second piece of pastry and lay on top, pressing down the edges with finger and thumb.

6. Make a small slit in the middle to let the air out, or prick lightly all over the top, and brush with a little milk.

7. Bake in the centre of a preheated oven, 200°C (400°F). Gas Mark 6, for 20 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 160°C (325°F), Gas Mark 3 and bake for a further 15-20 minutes. Serve warm with clotted cream.