Autumn Harmony Apricot and Plum Pie
Embrace the flavors of fall with this delightful Autumn Harmony Apricot and Plum Pie. This recipe combines the sweetness of ripe plums and tangy dried apricots, enhanced with warm spices to create a comforting dessert that's perfect for gatherings. The flaky shortcrust pastry encases the luscious fruit filling, making each slice a celebration of seasonal goodness. Serve it warm with a dollop of spiced yogurt cream for a delightful finish that will impress your family and friends!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dark plums in light syrup
2 (825 g) cans (Drain and halve, discarding stones.)
Dried apricots
2 cups (Chop if large to ensure even cooking.)
Cinnamon stick
1 stick (Used for infusion during cooking.)
Cloves
3 whole (Used for infusion during cooking.)
Mixed spice
1/2 teaspoon (For added warmth and flavor.)
Ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon (Adds a touch of spice.)
Shortcrust pastry
2 sheets (Defrost if frozen, ready to cut.)
Egg, lightly beaten
1 (For brushing the pastry.)
Sugar
1 tablespoon (Optional, to sweeten mixture if apricots are tart.)
Plain yogurt
1/2 cup (For spiced yogurt cream.)
Sour cream
1/2 cup (For spiced yogurt cream.)
Cinnamon
1 tablespoon (For spiced yogurt cream.)
Ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon (For spiced yogurt cream.)
Icing sugar
to dust (For garnish.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) and grease a 26 cm (10.5 inch) pie dish or a deep 1.25 litre (5 cup) rectangular dish to prevent sticking.
2
Drain the dark plums from the cans and reserve 1 cup of the syrup for later use.
3
Halve the plums, discarding the stones. Evenly arrange the halved plums in the prepared dish, creating a beautiful layer.
4
In a medium saucepan, combine the reserved syrup, dried apricots, cinnamon stick, cloves, mixed spice, and ground ginger. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, allowing it to reduce uncovered until the liquid thickens to about ½ cup.
5
If your apricots taste a bit tart, add the tablespoon of sugar to the saucepan to balance out the flavors.
6
Once the mixture has thickened, remove the saucepan from heat, discard the cinnamon stick and cloves, and allow the filling to cool to room temperature before pouring it over the arranged plums.
7
Take the shortcrust pastry sheets and cut them into 2.5 cm strips. Brush the edge of the pie dish with a small amount of the beaten egg.
8
Press the pastry strips around the edge of the dish to create a border. Use the remaining strips to form a lattice pattern over the pie, then brush the top lattice with the remaining beaten egg to give it a golden finish.
9
Bake the pie in the preheated oven for approximately 40 minutes, or until the pastry is lightly browned. If the pastry begins to brown too quickly, cover the pie with foil for the last 10-15 minutes to prevent burning.
10
Once baked, dust the pie with icing sugar for an elegant finish. Serve warm alongside spiced yogurt cream made by mixing yogurt, sour cream, cinnamon, and ginger to enhance the dessert.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary fruits in the Autumn Harmony Pie?
The pie features dark plums and dried apricots as the primary fruit components.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) for baking this pie.
What size pie dish should be used?
A 26 cm (10.5 inch) pie dish or a deep 1.25 litre (5 cup) rectangular dish is recommended.
How many cans of plums are needed?
You will need two 825 g cans of dark plums in light syrup.
Should I keep the plum syrup?
Yes, drain the plums but reserve 1 cup of the syrup to cook with the apricots.
How should the apricots be prepared?
Use 2 cups of dried apricots and chop them if they are large to ensure even cooking.
Which whole spices are used for infusion?
One cinnamon stick and three whole cloves are used to infuse the filling.
How much should the filling liquid be reduced?
Simmer the mixture until the liquid thickens to approximately 1/2 cup.
When should I add sugar to the recipe?
Add one tablespoon of sugar to the saucepan if the dried apricots taste too tart.
What must be done before pouring the filling over the plums?
Remove and discard the cinnamon stick and cloves, and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
What type of pastry is used for the crust?
The recipe calls for two sheets of shortcrust pastry.
How should the pastry be cut for the top?
Cut the pastry sheets into 2.5 cm strips to create the border and lattice pattern.
What is the purpose of the beaten egg?
The egg is used to brush the edges and the top lattice to achieve a golden finish.
How long does the pie take to bake?
Bake the pie for approximately 40 minutes or until the pastry is lightly browned.
How do I prevent the pastry from burning?
If the crust browns too quickly, cover the pie with foil for the final 10-15 minutes of baking.
What is the final garnish for the pie?
Once baked, dust the pie with icing sugar for an elegant presentation.
What is served as an accompaniment to this pie?
It is served with a specially prepared spiced yogurt cream.
How do I make the spiced yogurt cream?
Mix 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger.
Is the pie served warm or cold?
The pie is best served warm to enjoy its comforting fall flavors.
What ground spices are in the fruit filling?
The filling includes 1/2 teaspoon of mixed spice and 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger.
How do I prepare the plums for the dish?
Halve the plums and discard the stones before arranging them in the greased dish.
What is the texture of the pie crust?
The pie uses a flaky shortcrust pastry.
How is the lattice pattern created?
Use the 2.5 cm pastry strips to weave or lay across the top of the fruit filling.
Can I use frozen pastry?
Yes, but ensure the shortcrust pastry sheets are defrosted before cutting.
What is the role of the mixed spice?
It provides added warmth and depth to the autumn-flavored fruit filling.
How do I stop the pie from sticking to the dish?
Ensure you grease the pie dish or rectangular dish thoroughly before adding the fruit.
What are the key tags for this recipe?
Key tags include pie, dessert, fruits, fall recipes, comfort food, and baked goods.
How much ginger is used in the yogurt cream?
The yogurt cream requires 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger.
How much cinnamon is used in the yogurt cream?
The yogurt cream requires 1 tablespoon of cinnamon.
What is the description of the final dish?
A comforting fall dessert featuring luscious fruit filling encased in flaky pastry, served with spiced cream.