French Rustic Apple Pie
Experience the delightful flavors of autumn with our French Rustic Apple Pie, a twist on the classic dessert that combines tender, spiced apples with a flaky homemade double-crust. This pie is perfect for gatherings, holidays, or a cozy evening at home. The addition of raisins and a hint of orange juice brightens the sweetness of the apples, while the warm spices create a comforting aroma that fills your kitchen. Serve this pie warm with a drizzle of sweet frosting, and enjoy each slice of this delicious treat that serves up to 12 people.
12
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Double-crust pastry
1 (9 inch) (Prepared for a double-crust pie)
Sugar
3/4 cup (Granulated)
Flour
2 tablespoons (All-purpose)
Salt
1/8 teaspoon (Table salt)
Cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon (Ground)
Nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon (Ground)
Allspice
1/4 teaspoon (Ground)
Apples
6 cups (Peeled and sliced)
Raisins
1/2 cup (Seedless)
Orange juice
2 tablespoons (Freshly squeezed)
Butter
3 tablespoons (Unsalted, divided)
Powdered sugar
1 cup (For frosting)
Softened butter
2 tablespoons (Unsalted, for frosting)
Milk
3 teaspoons (For frosting)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
Prepare the double-crust by rolling out the pastry dough into two rounds - one for the bottom and one for the top.
3
In a large bowl, combine sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Stir until well mixed.
4
Add the peeled and sliced apples along with the raisins to the bowl, and toss gently until the fruit is evenly coated with the dry mixture.
5
Pour the apple and raisin mixture into the prepared bottom pastry crust, spreading it evenly.
6
Drizzle the orange juice over the top, ensuring it's well distributed.
7
Dot the filling with small pieces of butter, ensuring even flavor throughout.
8
Carefully place the top crust over the filled pie, flute the edges to seal, and cut several steam vents in the top to allow steam to escape.
9
Bake the pie in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
10
Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool before frosting.
11
For the frosting, in a separate bowl, mix together the powdered sugar and softened butter until smooth.
12
Gradually add milk, one teaspoon at a time, mixing until you achieve a spreading consistency.
13
Once cooled, drizzle the frosting over the pie before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a French Rustic Apple Pie?
It is a comforting autumn dessert featuring spiced apples, raisins, and a hint of orange juice inside a flaky double-crust pastry, finished with a sweet frosting drizzle.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe serves up to 12 people.
What oven temperature is required?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C).
How long does the French Rustic Apple Pie bake?
The pie bakes for approximately 40 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
What size pastry crust is needed?
The recipe requires a 9-inch prepared double-crust pastry dough.
Should the apples be peeled?
Yes, the 6 cups of apples should be peeled and sliced before being added to the filling.
What spices are used in this apple pie?
The spice blend includes ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
Are there raisins in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe calls for 1/2 cup of seedless raisins.
What type of juice is added to the filling?
Two tablespoons of freshly squeezed orange juice are drizzled over the apple and raisin mixture.
How much sugar is in the filling?
The filling uses 3/4 cup of granulated sugar.
What type of flour is used as a thickener?
Two tablespoons of all-purpose flour are mixed with the sugar and spices.
Why is butter dotted on the filling?
Small pieces of butter are dotted over the filling to ensure even flavor and a rich consistency throughout the pie.
Do I need to cut vents in the top crust?
Yes, you should cut several steam vents in the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking.
How do I seal the pie?
Place the top crust over the filling and flute the edges to seal it with the bottom crust.
What are the ingredients for the frosting?
The frosting is made from 1 cup of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of softened butter, and 3 teaspoons of milk.
When should I apply the frosting to the pie?
The frosting should be drizzled over the pie once it has cooled after baking.
How do I achieve the right frosting consistency?
Gradually add the milk one teaspoon at a time while mixing until you reach a spreading consistency.
Is this pie served warm or cold?
The pie is best served warm, ideally with the sweet frosting drizzle.
What type of butter should I use?
The recipe specifies unsalted butter for both the filling and the frosting.
Can I use table salt?
Yes, 1/8 teaspoon of table salt is included in the dry mixture.
How much milk is needed for the frosting?
You will need approximately 3 teaspoons of milk.
Does the recipe use granulated or powdered sugar?
It uses granulated sugar for the filling and powdered sugar for the frosting.
How many cups of apples are required?
You will need 6 cups of peeled and sliced apples.
Should the butter for the frosting be cold?
No, the butter for the frosting should be softened to ensure a smooth mixture.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
How do I prepare the fruit coating?
Toss the peeled apples and raisins gently in a large bowl with the sugar, flour, salt, and spices.
What provides the 'rustic' flavor profile?
The combination of warm spices like allspice and nutmeg along with the orange juice and raisins creates a rustic, complex flavor.
Can I use a single crust?
This specific recipe is designed as a double-crust pie with both a bottom and a top layer.
Is this recipe suitable for holidays?
Yes, it is described as perfect for gatherings, holidays, or cozy evenings at home.
How much allspice is needed?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of ground allspice.