Crispy Apple Shortbread Delight
Indulge in a delightful twist on the classic apple pie with this Crispy Apple Shortbread Delight. The buttery, crumbly shortbread crust encases tender, caramelized slices of Golden Delicious apples, lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Perfect for any occasion, this pie combines the comforting flavors of autumn with an elegant presentation. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an irresistible dessert that will impress your family and friends.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
flour
2 cups (all-purpose, sifted)
sugar
1/2 cup (granulated)
salt
1/4 teaspoon
butter
3/4 cup (cut into pieces, chilled)
egg yolks
2 (beaten)
Golden Delicious apples
1 1/4 lbs (peeled, cored, and cut into 1/4-inch thick slices)
brown sugar
1/4 cup (packed)
flour
1 tablespoon
cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon
nutmeg
1 pinch
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
In a food processor, combine 2 cups of flour, 1/2 cup of sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Pulse to mix.
3
Add 3/4 cup of chilled butter, cut into pieces, and blend using on/off pulses until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4
Drizzle in the beaten egg yolks and continue to pulse until the dough just comes together; avoid over-mixing.
5
Press approximately 3/4 of the dough evenly into the bottom and up the sides of an 8-inch round tart pan or cake pan with a removable bottom. Set aside.
6
In a large bowl, toss together 1 1/4 lbs of peeled, cored, and sliced Golden Delicious apples with 1/4 cup of packed brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of flour, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg until well combined.
7
Carefully pour the apple mixture into the prepared crust, spreading the apples evenly.
8
Crumble the remaining dough over the top of the apples to create a rustic topping.
9
Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any drips and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
10
Lower the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for approximately 20 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
11
Allow the pie to cool for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the filling set.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Crispy Apple Shortbread Delight?
It is a dessert featuring a buttery shortbread crust and a filling of caramelized Golden Delicious apples spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg.
What type of apples are recommended for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for Golden Delicious apples for their tender texture and sweetness.
How should the butter be prepared for the shortbread dough?
The butter should be chilled and cut into pieces before being blended with the dry ingredients.
What is the initial oven temperature for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C) for the first stage of baking.
Do I need a food processor to make the crust?
Yes, a food processor is used to pulse the flour, sugar, salt, and butter until they resemble coarse crumbs.
How much flour is needed for the dough?
The dough requires 2 cups of all-purpose, sifted flour.
What role do egg yolks play in the dough?
The beaten egg yolks help bind the dough together after the butter and flour have been pulsed into crumbs.
How thick should the apple slices be?
The apples should be peeled, cored, and cut into 1/4-inch thick slices.
What size pan is best for this apple pie?
An 8-inch round tart pan or a cake pan with a removable bottom is recommended.
How do I assemble the crust and topping?
Press 3/4 of the dough into the bottom and sides of the pan, and crumble the remaining 1/4 over the apple filling.
What spices are used in the apple filling?
The filling is spiced with 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg.
Do I need to add sugar to the apples?
Yes, the apples are tossed with 1/4 cup of packed brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of flour.
How long is the initial baking period?
The pie is first baked at 400°F for 15 minutes.
At what temperature is the pie finished baking?
The temperature is lowered to 350°F (175°C) for the remaining 20 minutes of baking.
How can I prevent drips in the oven?
Place the tart pan on a baking sheet before putting it in the oven to catch any drips from the apple filling.
How long should the pie cool before serving?
Allow the pie to cool for at least 30 minutes to let the filling set properly.
What is the best way to serve Crispy Apple Shortbread Delight?
It is best served warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
What texture should the dough have before adding the yolks?
The mixture of flour, sugar, salt, and butter should resemble coarse crumbs.
Can I use granulated sugar in the apple filling?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of packed brown sugar for the filling to provide a caramelized flavor.
Is there salt in the shortbread crust?
Yes, 1/4 teaspoon of salt is mixed into the dough ingredients.
What kind of flour is used in the filling?
One tablespoon of flour is tossed with the apples to help thicken the juices.
Why should I avoid over-mixing the dough?
Over-mixing can lead to a tough crust rather than a crumbly, buttery shortbread texture.
How much butter is required?
The recipe requires 3/4 cup of butter.
What is the total weight of apples needed?
You will need 1 1/4 lbs of Golden Delicious apples.
How do I know when the pie is done?
The pie is ready when the topping is lightly golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly.
Can I use a regular cake pan?
Yes, as long as it is an 8-inch pan, though a removable bottom helps with serving.
What type of sugar goes into the dough?
1/2 cup of granulated sugar is used for the shortbread dough.
Is this a good recipe for autumn?
Yes, its flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and apples make it a perfect autumn dessert.
Should the egg yolks be room temperature?
The recipe specifies they should be beaten, but does not strictly require them to be room temperature; however, the butter must be chilled.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 10 total ingredients: flour, sugar, salt, butter, egg yolks, apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.