Lush Spiced Apple Pie with Hard Sauce
Indulge in a slice of heaven with this exquisite spiced apple pie that combines the sweetness of perfectly cooked apples, the unexpected delight of raisins, and the crunch of pecans. Crafted by Roselea, the celebrated chef and owner of the renowned Pink Adobe Restaurant in Santa Fe, this recipe has become a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Not only is this pie an instant classic, perfect for holiday gatherings and dinner parties, but it also freezes beautifully—allowing you the luxury of enjoying a slice of nostalgia anytime you crave it. Finished with a generous drizzle of irresistible hard sauce, every bite promises to take your palate on a delightful journey of flavor and warmth. Prepare to impress your guests, or simply treat yourself to this delicious dessert!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pastry for a double-crust 9-inch pie
1 (Prepared and rolled out)
Cooking apples
1 lb (Peeled, cored, and sliced)
Lemon juice
2 tablespoons (Freshly squeezed)
Ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon (For seasoning)
Ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (For seasoning)
Granulated sugar
1/2 cup + 6 tablespoons (For filling and topping)
Raisins
1/4 cup (For filling)
Light brown sugar
1 cup (Packed)
All-purpose flour
2 tablespoons (For thickening)
Unsalted butter
2 tablespoons + 1/2 cup (Cut into small pieces and room temperature)
Pecan halves
1/2 cup (For topping)
Milk
1/4 cup + 3 tablespoons (For brushing and filling)
Powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups (For hard sauce)
Boiling water
1 tablespoon (To blend with powdered sugar)
Rum or brandy
1 teaspoon (For flavoring hard sauce)
Instructions
1
1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and set the oven rack to the lowest position. Roll out half of the pastry dough and use it to line a 9-inch pie plate, ensuring that the crust covers the edges well.
2
2. Core, peel, and slice the cooking apples, then place them evenly in the pastry shell, creating a mound towards the center.
3
3. Drizzle the lemon juice over the apples, then sprinkle with ground nutmeg, ground cinnamon, and 6 tablespoons of granulated sugar. Evenly distribute the raisins over the apples for added sweetness.
4
4. In a separate bowl, thoroughly mix the brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and small pieces of unsalted butter until it forms a crumbly texture. Spread this mixture generously over the apples.
5
5. Top the pie with pecan halves, and drizzle 3 tablespoons of milk over the filling to provide moisture during baking.
6
6. Roll out the remaining pastry and place it on top of the pie. Seal the edges by crimping them and create steam vents by gently cutting slits in the top crust. Brush the top with the remaining milk, and sprinkle it with the last of the granulated sugar.
7
7. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
8
8. While the pie is baking, prepare the hard sauce: In a medium bowl, cream the room temperature unsalted butter until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar and boiling water, mixing until well combined. Finally, stir in the rum or brandy for a delightful depth of flavor.
9
9. Once the pie is done, allow it to cool briefly before cutting it into wedges. Serve each slice on warmed plates, generously topped with the rich hard sauce. Let the pie stand for a few minutes before serving, allowing the sauce to melt into the warm filling for a truly indulgent experience.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created the Lush Spiced Apple Pie recipe?
The recipe was crafted by Roselea, the celebrated chef and owner of the renowned Pink Adobe Restaurant in Santa Fe.
Where is the Pink Adobe Restaurant located?
The Pink Adobe Restaurant is located in Santa Fe.
Can this apple pie be frozen?
Yes, this pie freezes beautifully, allowing you to enjoy a slice of nostalgia anytime.
What size pie plate is required for this recipe?
This recipe is designed for a 9-inch pie plate.
What type of apples should be used for this pie?
The recipe calls for cooking apples that have been peeled, cored, and sliced.
How should the apples be arranged in the crust?
Place the sliced apples evenly in the pastry shell, creating a mound towards the center.
Why is lemon juice added to the apples?
Lemon juice is drizzled over the apples to provide acidity and flavor before adding the spices.
What spices are used in the apple pie filling?
The filling is seasoned with ground nutmeg and ground cinnamon.
What role do raisins play in this recipe?
Raisins are distributed over the apples to provide added sweetness and flavor.
How do you make the crumbly filling mixture?
Thoroughly mix brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and small pieces of unsalted butter until it forms a crumbly texture.
What is the purpose of the all-purpose flour in the filling?
The flour is used as a thickening agent for the pie filling.
Why is milk added to the pie filling?
Three tablespoons of milk are drizzled over the filling to provide moisture during the baking process.
What kind of nuts are used as a topping?
Pecan halves are placed on top of the pie filling before the top crust is added.
How do you seal the pie crust?
Seal the edges by crimping the top and bottom pastry layers together.
Why do you need to cut slits in the top crust?
Slits are cut into the top crust to create steam vents for the pie during baking.
What are the baking temperatures for this pie?
The pie is baked initially at 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and then the temperature is reduced to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long should the pie bake at the higher temperature?
Bake the pie in a preheated oven at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.
How long does the pie bake after reducing the temperature?
After reducing the heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, continue baking for an additional 30 minutes.
How do you know when the pie is finished baking?
The pie is done when the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
What is hard sauce?
A rich topping made by creaming butter with powdered sugar, boiling water, and rum or brandy.
How do you prepare the butter for the hard sauce?
The unsalted butter should be at room temperature and creamed until it is fluffy.
What spirits can be used in the hard sauce?
The recipe suggests using either rum or brandy for flavor.
Why is boiling water used in the hard sauce?
One tablespoon of boiling water is added to help blend the powdered sugar into the creamed butter.
How should the pie be served?
Serve the pie in wedges on warmed plates, topped generously with the rich hard sauce.
Does the pie need to stand before serving?
Yes, let the pie stand for a few minutes before serving to allow the sauce to melt into the warm filling.
Where should the oven rack be positioned?
Set the oven rack to the lowest position for baking the pie.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
There are 15 ingredients in this recipe.
How do you finish the top of the pie crust before baking?
Brush the top crust with milk and sprinkle it with granulated sugar.
Is this pie suitable for holiday gatherings?
Yes, it is described as an instant classic that is perfect for holiday gatherings and dinner parties.
How much brown sugar is used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of packed light brown sugar.