Oma's Traditional Dutch Apple Pie
Experience a slice of authentic Dutch culture with Oma's Traditional Dutch Apple Pie, a comforting dessert that brings together sweet, spiced apples enveloped in a rich, buttery crust. This pie is a staple in Belgian households and can be enjoyed warm or cold, often paired with a cloud of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgence. The unique shortbread-like crust beautifully contrasts with the aromatic apple filling, creating a delightful treat for any occasion. Perfect for family gatherings, holidays, or simply as a sweet ending to your meal, this recipe allows you to immerse yourself in flavors that evoke warmth and nostalgia. With easy-to-follow steps and options to prepare components in advance for convenience, this pie will surely become a beloved favorite in your home.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
self-rising flour
300g (sifted)
butter or margarine
180g (cut into cubes)
brown sugar
150g (packed)
vanilla essence or vanilla sugar
1 teaspoon or 8g (as needed)
salt
a pinch (as needed)
apples
1kg (peeled and cubed)
raisins
100g (washed and dried)
granulated sugar
40g (as needed)
cinnamon
3 teaspoons (or more to taste)
lemon juice
2.5 teaspoons (or more to taste)
egg
1 (beaten and divided)
semolina
3 tablespoons (to absorb juices)
Instructions
1
Prepare the dough: In a spacious mixing bowl, sift together the self-rising flour, brown sugar, vanilla essence, and salt.
2
Cut the butter (or margarine) into small cubes and incorporate it into the flour mixture using your fingers or a pastry cutter until crumbly.
3
In a separate bowl, beat the egg and add approximately 75% of it to the mixture, reserving the remainder for later use.
4
Using your hands, knead the mixture into a cohesive dough. This may take some time, but patience is key to forming a nice ball of dough. If it's too dry, add a splash of milk to help it come together.
5
Wrap the dough ball in cling film and refrigerate for about an hour while you prepare the filling.
6
Prepare the filling: Peel and cube the apples with varying sizes for a more textured filling.
7
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cubed apples, raisins, granulated sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and half the semolina. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are well coated, then let sit for flavors to meld.
8
Assemble the pie: Preheat your oven to 175°C (340°F). Grease a 9-inch round springform cake pan or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
9
Take about three-quarters of the chilled dough and press it evenly across the bottom and up the sides of the prepared pan. The layer does not need to be thick, just ensure complete coverage.
10
Sprinkle remaining semolina on the crust to absorb excess juices from the filling.
11
Spoon the apple mixture into the crust, leaving out the extra juices that have formed. Set aside.
12
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the remaining dough to about ½ cm thick. Cut the dough into strips and create a lattice pattern on top of the apple filling, ensuring some apple surfaces are still visible.
13
With the remaining egg, brush over the lattice for a golden finish and adjust edges if needed to ensure the filling is well-contained.
14
Bake the pie in the preheated oven for approximately 75 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling.
15
Allow the pie to cool completely before carefully removing the springform pan. This ensures a clean release.
16
Serve slices warm or cold, with whipped cream or ice cream, and enjoy the delicious flavors of Oma's Traditional Dutch Apple Pie!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Oma's Traditional Dutch Apple Pie?
It is a traditional dessert featuring spiced apples in a buttery, shortbread-like crust, often served in Belgian and Dutch households.
How much self-rising flour is required for the recipe?
The recipe calls for 300g of sifted self-rising flour.
Can I use margarine instead of butter for the crust?
Yes, you can use either 180g of butter or margarine, cut into small cubes.
What kind of sugar is used in the dough?
The dough uses 150g of packed brown sugar.
How much vanilla should I add?
You can use either 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence or 8g of vanilla sugar.
How many kilograms of apples are needed?
The recipe requires 1kg of apples.
How should the apples be prepared for the filling?
Apples should be peeled and cubed into varying sizes for a more textured filling.
Are raisins included in this Dutch apple pie?
Yes, 100g of washed and dried raisins are added to the apple filling.
How much cinnamon is needed for the apple mixture?
Use 3 teaspoons of cinnamon, or more depending on your taste preference.
Why is lemon juice added to the recipe?
2.5 teaspoons of lemon juice are mixed with the apples to enhance the flavor and provide a slight zest.
What is the purpose of using semolina in this pie?
Semolina is used to absorb excess juices from the apples, preventing the crust from becoming soggy.
How much semolina should I use in total?
The recipe uses a total of 3 tablespoons of semolina.
How should I incorporate the egg into the recipe?
Beat one egg and add 75% of it to the dough mixture, reserving the remaining 25% for an egg wash.
What should I do if the pie dough is too dry?
If the dough is too dry to form a ball, you can add a splash of milk to help it come together.
How long does the dough need to be refrigerated?
Wrap the dough in cling film and refrigerate it for about one hour before assembly.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking?
Preheat your oven to 175°C (340°F).
What size and type of pan should I use?
A 9-inch round springform cake pan is recommended for this recipe.
How much of the dough should be used for the base and sides?
Use about three-quarters of the chilled dough to line the bottom and sides of the pan.
How is the semolina divided during the assembly process?
Half is mixed directly with the cubed apples, and the other half is sprinkled onto the bottom crust before adding the filling.
Should I include the juices from the apple bowl in the pie?
No, spoon the apple mixture into the crust while leaving out any extra juices that have accumulated in the bowl.
How thick should the lattice strips be rolled?
Roll out the remaining dough to a thickness of about 0.5 cm before cutting it into strips.
How do I achieve a golden finish on the crust?
Brush the lattice top with the remaining beaten egg before placing the pie in the oven.
How long does the Dutch apple pie take to bake?
The pie needs to bake for approximately 75 minutes.
How do I know when the pie is finished baking?
The pie is done when the crust is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling.
Why is it important to let the pie cool completely?
Allowing it to cool completely ensures a clean release when removing the springform pan.
Can Oma's Dutch Apple Pie be served cold?
Yes, the pie can be enjoyed either warm or cold.
What are the traditional toppings for this pie?
It is often paired with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Can I prepare parts of this recipe in advance?
Yes, you can prepare components in advance to make the final assembly more convenient.
Is this recipe considered comfort food?
Yes, it is tagged as comfort food and is known for evoking warmth and nostalgia.
What makes the crust unique compared to other pies?
The crust has a rich, buttery, shortbread-like texture that contrasts beautifully with the aromatic filling.