This isn’t just any apple pie – it’s a culinary masterpiece crafted with organic ingredients, real butter, a sprinkle of cinnamon, a dash of sugar, and enveloped in a homemade organic pie crust.
This recipe celebrates the simplicity and freshness of organic Granny Smith apples, perfectly balanced with brown and white sugar for that classic sweet-tart taste. A hint of cinnamon and nutmeg adds warmth and depth, while the all-purpose flour binds it all together. Every slice of this pie is a testament to tradition, comfort, and the joy of eating clean and green.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a newbie, this recipe is for everyone. So roll up your sleeves, preheat your oven, and get ready to fall in love with baking all over again. Here’s to the delight of creating and sharing an all-time favorite dessert – the unforgettable organic apple pie.
What is organic apple pie?
An organic apple pie is a classic dessert that features the delightful sweetness and tartness of apples, encased in a flaky and buttery crust. What sets it apart from a regular apple pie is that all its ingredients, starting from the apples to the flour, sugar, and spices, are organic.
This means every ingredient used is grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms, making it a healthier and more environmentally friendly option. The focus on organic ingredients also tends to enhance the natural flavors in the pie, providing a purer, fresher taste.
Why You’ll Love this organic apple pie?
There are several reasons why you’ll fall in love with this organic apple pie. Firstly, it’s a healthier choice as it’s free from harmful chemicals and artificial additives. Organic apples often have a more intense flavor profile, which can make your pie taste even better.
Secondly, the organic ingredients are typically sourced from local farmers and producers, which means you’re supporting sustainable farming methods and contributing to local economies when you choose to bake or buy an organic apple pie.
Lastly, there’s a certain satisfaction in knowing that the dessert you’re enjoying is not only delicious but also kinder to the environment and beneficial for your health.
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How Does It Taste Like?
The taste of an organic apple pie is like a symphony of flavors that come together in perfect harmony. The organic Granny Smith apples provide a delightful balance of sweet and tart flavors, which are enhanced by the subtle warmth of cinnamon and nutmeg. The organic sugars add a depth of sweetness that isn’t overpowering, allowing the natural flavors of the apple filling to shine through. The crust is flaky and buttery, offering a satisfying contrast to the soft, juicy apple filling.
Overall, the taste is a comforting blend of familiar flavors, evoking a sense of nostalgia with every bite. The organic ingredients lend a freshness and purity to the taste that can only be fully appreciated when you take your first bite.
Ingredients
- Granny Smith Apples: The heart of any apple pie is, of course, the apples. Granny Smith apples are often chosen for their firm texture and tart flavor. They hold up well during baking, maintaining some bite and not turning into mush. Their tartness balances out the sweetness of the sugar, creating a well-rounded flavor profile.
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar brings a rich, caramel-like sweetness to the pie filling. It’s more complex than white sugar, adding depth to the flavor of the pie. Plus, it contributes to a thicker, more luxurious filling due to its molasses content.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon is almost synonymous with apple pies. Its warm, sweet-spicy flavor complements the apples beautifully, enhancing their natural taste. It adds a hint of complexity and warmth to the overall flavor of the pie.
- White Sugar: White sugar provides straightforward sweetness to the pie filling, complementing the tartness of the Granny Smith apples. It helps to balance the flavors, ensuring that the pie isn’t too tart.
- All-Purpose Flour: In the pie filling, all-purpose flour acts as a thickener. It absorbs the juices released by the apples during baking, preventing the bottom crust from becoming soggy. In the top crust, it provides structure, giving the crust its firm yet flaky texture.
- Nutmeg: Nutmeg adds a layer of warm, nutty sweetness that pairs wonderfully with the other spices and the tartness of the apples. It’s a classic spice in apple pie, contributing to its signature taste.
- Salt: A little salt goes a long way in desserts. It enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and cuts through the sweetness, making the pie more balanced and flavorful.
- Pie Shells: Pie shells form the base for our apple filling. They provide a crispy, buttery contrast to the soft, juicy filling. They also serve as a vessel to hold the filling, making the pie sliceable and easy to serve.
- Unsalted Butter: Unsalted butter in the top crust contributes to its rich flavor and flaky texture. It creates steam as it melts in the oven, causing the crust to puff up and become wonderfully flaky.
- All-Purpose Flour (for the crust): Flour forms the structure of the pie crust. It interacts with the water and fat in the recipe to create a network of proteins and starches, which gives the crust its firm yet tender texture.
- Brown Sugar (for the crust): Brown sugar in the crust adds a hint of sweetness and a lovely golden color. It complements the buttery taste of the crust and pairs well with the sweet-tart apple filling.
Step by Step Directions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C). This step ensures that it’s perfectly heated and ready to transform your ingredients into a delightful pie.
Step 2: Prepare the Apple Filling
In a spacious mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients needed for your apple filling. This typically involves sliced apples, sugar, spices, and any other flavorings you desire. Once everything is well mixed, gently transfer this aromatic filling into your awaiting 9-inch pie shell.
Step 3: Top it Off with a Crust
With your apple filling snugly nestled in the pie shell, it’s time to complete the iconic pie look. Roll out another portion of your pie dough for the top crust. Carefully place it over the apple filling, ensuring it covers the entire surface. Then, fold the excess edges over the edges of the pie dish. This step encases the flavorful apple filling in a pastry embrace.
Step 4: Ventilation is Key
To avoid steam buildup and ensure your pie cooks evenly, it’s essential to create ventilation. To do this, use a knife or a fork to cut small slits or decorative patterns into the top crust. These slits will allow steam to escape during the baking process, preventing your pie from becoming soggy.
Step 5: Add a Golden Touch
Enhance the visual appeal of your pie by giving it a beautiful golden finish. Beat together an egg and a tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. Then, brush this egg wash over the top crust. It not only adds a lovely shine but also contributes to the golden-brown color your pie will achieve during baking.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Place your pie in the preheated oven and let it bake for approximately 45 minutes. Keep an eye on it as it transforms into a golden-brown masterpiece, and you might notice delightful bubbles forming around the edges. These are signs that your pie is nearing perfection.
Step 7: Let it Cool and Serve
After the baking time has passed, carefully remove your golden-brown creation from the oven. Allow it to cool on a wire rack. This step is essential for setting the filling and ensuring that your pie is easy to slice and serve.
Tips
- Always use fresh, organic Granny Smith apples for the best flavor.
- For a more flavorful crust, add an extra tablespoon of sugar or 2 tablespoons of butter.
- Skip the egg wash if you prefer a crispier top crust.
- If using pre-made pie shells, make sure to blind-bake them for 10 minutes at 375°F (190°C) before adding the filling.
- For a crunchier top crust, sprinkle a tablespoon of coarse sugar over the crust before baking.
Nutrition Information
How to store organic apple pie?
To store your organic apple pie, allow it to cool completely at room temperature first. This is important because if you cover a warm pie, condensation will form and make the crust soggy. Once cooled, you can keep it covered with aluminum foil or plastic wrap at room temperature for up to two days. If you want to extend its shelf life, you can refrigerate it, where it will last for about 4-5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the pie. To do this, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil, and it should maintain its quality for about 4-6 months in the freezer.
What other substitute can I use in organic apple pie?
- Apples: While Granny Smith apples are the traditional choice, you can experiment with other organic apple varieties like Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Golden Delicious. Each will bring a unique flavor and texture to the pie.
- Sugar: If you’re looking to reduce refined sugar, organic coconut sugar or organic maple syrup can be used as natural sweeteners. They each add their distinctive flavor to the pie.
- Spices: Feel free to play around with the spices. Cardamom, allspice, or cloves can add an interesting twist to your apple pie.
- Flour: If you’re gluten-intolerant, you can use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour.
- Butter: For a dairy-free version, you can use organic coconut oil or vegan butter as a substitute for butter.
Organic Apple Pie Recipe
Ingredients
Pie Filling
- 16 medium granny Smith apples
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup white sugar
- ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 pie shells
Top Crust
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, mix the apple-filling ingredients. Once combined, transfer the mixture into an unbaked 9-inch pie shell.
- Roll out the top crust and place it over the filling, tucking the edges around the pie dish.
- Cut slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking.
- In a separate bowl, beat together an egg and a tablespoon of water, then brush it over the top crust for a golden finish.
- Bake the pie for 45 minutes or until it becomes golden brown and bubbly around the edges.
- Allow the pie to cool before serving.
Notes
- Always use fresh, organic Granny Smith apples for the best flavor.
- For a more flavorful crust, add an extra tablespoon of sugar or 2 tablespoons of butter.
- Skip the egg wash if you prefer a crispier top crust.
- If using pre-made pie shells, make sure to blind-bake them for 10 minutes at 375°F (190°C) before adding the filling.
- For a crunchier top crust, sprinkle a tablespoon of coarse sugar over the crust before baking.
FAQs
Why is my pie crust not flaky?
A flaky pie crust requires careful handling of the dough, cold butter, and adequate resting time before baking. Overworking the dough develops excess gluten, making the crust tough. Butter that’s not cold enough won’t create the necessary fat pockets for flakiness. Skipping dough rest can lead to a tough, unflaky crust.
Can I use non-organic ingredients in this recipe?
Yes, you can certainly use non-organic ingredients in this recipe. However, using organic ingredients has its advantages. Organic ingredients are grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This means that when you use organic ingredients, you’re ensuring that your pie is free from these potentially harmful substances.
Can I make this pie ahead of time?
Absolutely! Making your pie ahead of time can be a great way to reduce stress if you’re planning for a gathering or event. You can prepare the pie a day in advance and refrigerate it unbaked. Then, when you’re ready to serve, just bake it according to the recipe instructions. This can help the flavors to meld together and can improve the taste of your pie.
Alternatively, you could fully bake the pie a day ahead, let it cool, then cover and refrigerate it.
Conclusion
Organic apple pies are a delicious and classic dessert, perfect for any gathering or special occasion. By using organic ingredients, you can make your pie even healthier and more flavorful.
With our simple recipe and step-by-step instructions, anyone can make a beautiful and delicious organic apple pie in no time! If you decide to give it a try, don’t forget to share your masterpiece with us – we’d love to see it!
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My name is Lori Walker. I’m a registered dietitian, food blogger and food enthusiast. I share easy healthy, delicious recipes on my blog and review necessary kitchen items. The recipes I share take less… Read more