Deep apple pie with flavored sauce

Deep apple pie with aromatic sauce: a delicacy that combines the sweet-sour taste of apples with a creamy sauce, perfect for delighting your taste buds. This recipe is ideal for those days when you want to bring a touch of warmth and comfort into your home. Get ready to be pampered by the inviting aroma of cinnamon and orange, which will remind you of moments spent around the table with loved ones.

Total preparation time: 2 hours
Preparation time: 45 minutes
Baking time: 55-65 minutes
Number of servings: 8

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 200 g flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 packet Bourbon vanilla sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- A pinch of salt
- 100 g butter (at room temperature)
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons milk

For the filling:
- 1.5 kg apples (peeled, cored, and sliced)
- 400 ml water
- 300 g sugar
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- Zest of 1 orange
- A pinch of ground nutmeg
- A pinch of ground cloves
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch

For the glaze:
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons water

For the sauce:
- The water in which the apples were boiled (strained)
- Juice from 1 orange
- 200 ml milk
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven
Start by preheating the oven to 180°C. This step is essential as it ensures even baking of the pie.

Step 2: Prepare the pan
Grease a 20 cm round pan with butter and dust it with flour. This step will prevent the pie from sticking to the pan, ensuring you can easily release it after baking.

Step 3: Prepare the dough
In a large bowl, mix the flour with the two types of sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the butter and mix with your fingers until you achieve a crumbly texture. This step is crucial as the butter will incorporate into the flour, providing a delicious base for the pie.

In another bowl, beat the egg with the 3 tablespoons of milk and add it to the flour mixture. Mix everything until you obtain a homogeneous dough. This dough will be the perfect base for the apple filling. Once homogenized, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it chill for 30 minutes.

Step 4: Prepare the filling
Meanwhile, in a pot, combine 400 ml of water, 150 g of sugar, and the two cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil. Add the sliced apples and cover the pot. Let it simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes. This step will help soften the apples and develop the flavors.

Once the apples are cooked, let them cool slightly, then drain them, reserving the liquid for the sauce. Mix the apples with the remaining 150 g of sugar, the orange zest, a pinch of nutmeg, a pinch of cloves, and the cornstarch. This mixture will give the filling a rich and complex flavor.

Step 5: Assemble the pie
Remove the dough from the fridge and divide it into two parts: one larger piece and one smaller. Roll out the larger piece to a thickness of 0.5 cm and place it in the prepared pan, covering both the base and the edges. Add the prepared apple filling on top.

Roll out the other piece of dough and place it over the apples, sealing the edges together. This will create a delicious lid that will retain all the flavors.

Step 6: Glaze
Beat the egg for the glaze together with the 2 tablespoons of water. Use a brush to coat the pie with this mixture. This step will give the pie a golden and shiny color after baking.

Step 7: Bake the pie
Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 55-65 minutes, or until it becomes golden and crispy on top. The aroma will fill the kitchen, and your patience will be rewarded with an irresistible delicacy.

Step 8: Prepare the sauce
To prepare the sauce, mix the water in which the apples were boiled with the juice from 1 orange and 200 ml of milk in a pot over medium heat. Dissolve the cornstarch in a little cold water and add it to the sauce in the pot. Cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens. This is where the magic happens - the sauce will have a creamy consistency, perfect for accompanying the pie.

Step 9: Serve
Once the pie has cooled slightly, cut it into slices and serve warm, with the aromatic sauce drizzled on top. This combination is simply divine and will impress any guest.

Practical tips
- Choosing apples: Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for a complex flavor. Granny Smith apples, for example, add a tart note, while Gala apples provide sweetness.
- Mixing spices: Feel free to experiment with other spices like ginger or cardamom to give the pie a personal touch.
- Vegan option: For a vegan version, replace the butter with plant-based margarine and the egg with a mixture of 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water (let sit for 5 minutes to thicken).
- Storing the pie: The pie can be kept at room temperature for 2-3 days, but you can freeze it to enjoy later.

Pairings and suggestions
This delicious pie pairs perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Additionally, a cup of fruit tea or a complementary sweet white wine can turn the dessert into an unforgettable experience.

Calories and nutritional benefits
This pie contains approximately 350 calories per serving but also offers nutritional benefits due to the fiber and antioxidants in apples. Consuming apples can help maintain heart health and contribute to healthy digestion.

Frequently asked questions
1. Can I use other fruits? Yes, you can experiment with pears or peaches, but adjust the sugar amounts according to the sweetness of the fruits.
2. How can I tell when the pie is ready? It is ready when the crust is golden, and if you insert a knife in the middle, it comes out clean.
3. Can it be prepared a day in advance? Absolutely! The pie will have time to cool, and the flavors will intensify.

This deep apple pie with aromatic sauce is not just a dessert but an experience that brings memories and joy. Enjoy every slice and share it with loved ones!

 Ingredients: For the dough: 200g flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 packet Bourbon vanilla sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, a pinch of salt, 100g butter, 1 egg, 3 tablespoons milk. For the filling: 1.5kg apples, peeled, cored, and sliced, 400ml water, 300g sugar, 2 sticks of cinnamon, zest of 1 orange, a pinch of ground nutmeg, a pinch of ground cloves, 2 tablespoons cornstarch. For the glaze: 1 egg, 2 tablespoons water. For the sauce: the water in which the apples were boiled, strained, the juice of 1 orange, 200ml milk, 4 tablespoons cornstarch.