Description
Homemade apple butter pie reveals classic American baking charm with its intricate quilt-inspired pastry design. Sweet cinnamon notes and flaky crust layers invite warm memories of grandma’s kitchen, promising delightful comfort you’ll savor with each delectable slice.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups sweetened spiced apple butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup half-and-half
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Crust Ingredients:
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons ice water
Instructions
- Craft the pastry dough by combining flour, salt, and sugar in a mixing bowl. Using a pastry blender, incorporate cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, mixing until the dough coheres. Form into a disc, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour to chill thoroughly.
- Prepare the decorative crust triangles by rolling the chilled dough to 1/8-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut 6 squares, then slice diagonally to create 12 triangles. Arrange triangles on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 15 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Cover triangles with parchment and a second baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove top sheet and continue baking until golden brown, removing pieces individually as they color. Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Reduce oven temperature to 375°F. Roll remaining dough into a 12-inch circle and carefully transfer to a 9-inch pie plate. Trim edges, fold, and crimp decoratively. Freeze for 20 minutes.
- Line the pie crust with foil, fill with pie weights, and bake on the bottom rack for 25 minutes. Remove weights and foil, prick bottom with a fork, and bake an additional 8-10 minutes until golden and dry. Cool completely.
- Whisk apple butter, brown sugar, eggs, apple pie spice, vanilla, and salt in a large bowl. Gradually incorporate half-and-half until the mixture becomes smooth and uniform.
- Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust. Bake on the middle rack for 30-35 minutes, until edges are set and center has a slight wobble. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Just before serving, artfully arrange the golden crust triangles on top of the pie in an intricate quilt-like pattern.
Notes
- Choose high-quality, smooth apple butter for a rich, deep flavor that enhances the pie’s overall taste.
- Ensure butter is cold when making the crust to create flaky, tender pastry with distinct layers.
- Experiment with spice variations like adding a pinch of cardamom or replacing apple pie spice with cinnamon and nutmeg for personalized warmth.
- Make the pie gluten-free by substituting regular flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend in the crust recipe.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 237 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 140 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg