Crown of Kings - Leavened Dough
Ingredients: 280g of flour, zest of a medium orange, 1 teaspoon of powdered vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 50g of sugar, ~170ml of milk, 1 teaspoon of butter, 2 teaspoons of oil, 4g of dry yeast. Filling: 3 apples, 100g of sugar, chestnut puree, 2 tablespoons of ground almonds.
To prepare a delicious apple pie with chestnut puree, we will start by making a dough similar to that used for sweet bread. This dough will be rich and slightly elastic, perfect for holding the flavorful filling. I chose to make the dough in a bread machine (Map), but you can also knead it by hand if you prefer a more traditional approach. Start by adding the ingredients to the Map according to the manufacturer's instructions, making sure to follow the correct order.
After mixing the ingredients, let the dough rise until it triples in volume. This process can take between one to two hours, depending on the room temperature and the type of flour used. It is important to adjust the amount of liquid according to the humidity level of the flour, so feel free to experiment to achieve the desired consistency.
In the meantime, we prepare the filling. Peel the apples and cut them into small cubes so that they cook evenly. In a pan, prepare a dry caramel, being very careful not to burn it. The caramel should be golden and shiny, and if you notice it starting to darken too much, remove it from the heat immediately. Add the apple cubes to the melted caramel and let them cook for a few minutes, stirring constantly, until the apples become soft and absorb the sweet flavors of the caramel.
After the dough has risen, keep a small portion for decoration and roll out the rest of the dough into two round sheets. On one of the sheets, leave an edge of about 3 fingers uncovered. Brush the edge with beaten egg to help seal the two sheets together. In the center of the sheet, layer the filling: start with the chestnut puree, then add the almond powder, and finally the caramelized apples. Cover with the second sheet of dough, gently pressing the edges to form a beautiful border.
For an extra touch, use the reserved dough to decorate the pie, forming various shapes or patterns on the surface. Let it rise in a warm place for 30-40 minutes, then brush with beaten egg to achieve a golden and appetizing crust. Preheat the oven to 200°C and bake the pie until it becomes golden and well-cooked, which should take about 25-30 minutes.
Once the pie is ready, let it cool on a rack. Cut it into slices and enjoy each piece. This apple pie with chestnut puree is perfect for serving on special occasions or simply when you want to treat yourself. Enjoy your meal!
