Chinese-style Apple Pie

Ingredients

While the original American apple pie is known for its flaky crust and cinnamon-spiced apple filling, this Chinese-style adaptation incorporates elements of Chinese cuisine. The crust is made with a combination of all-purpose flour and rice flour, giving it a slightly chewy texture. The filling is infused with fragrant Chinese five-spice powder, adding a warm and aromatic twist to the traditional apple pie. We alse have the original recipe for Apple Pie, so you can check it out.

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (60g) rice flour 1/2 cup (60g) rice flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (50g) brown sugar 1/4 cup (50g) brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
• 4 medium-sized apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced 4 medium-sized apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar (for filling) 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar (for filling)
• 1/4 cup (50g) brown sugar (for filling) 1/4 cup (50g) brown sugar (for filling)
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash) 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories: 320 kcal / 1340 kJ
• Fat: 14g (7g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 47g (26g sugars)
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.3g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, rice flour, and salt. Add the cold cubed butter and use your fingertips to rub it into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
2. 2.
   Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and Chinese five-spice powder to the flour mixture. Mix well.
3. 3.
   Gradually add ice-cold water, a tablespoon at a time, and mix until the dough comes together. Shape the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
4. 4.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
5. 5.
   In a separate bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice to prevent browning. Add cornstarch, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Mix until the apples are evenly coated.
6. 6.
   Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to fit a 9-inch pie dish. Transfer the dough to the pie dish and trim any excess.
7. 7.
   Fill the pie crust with the apple mixture, spreading it evenly.
8. 8.
   Roll out the remaining dough and cut it into thin strips. Create a lattice pattern on top of the pie by weaving the strips over and under each other.
9. 9.
   Brush the lattice crust with beaten egg wash.
10. 10.
    Bake the pie in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
11. 11.
    Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.
12. 12.
    Dust the pie with powdered sugar before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Apples — Choose firm and slightly tart apples such as Granny Smith or Fuji for the best texture and flavor in the pie.
• Chinese five-spice powder — If you don't have Chinese five-spice powder, you can make your own by combining equal parts ground cinnamon, cloves, fennel seeds, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more authentic Chinese flavor, you can add a tablespoon of Chinese rice wine or Shaoxing wine to the apple filling.
• Serve the Chinese-style apple pie warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast of temperatures and flavors.
• If you prefer a sweeter pie, you can increase the amount of sugar in the filling according to your taste.
• To achieve a flaky crust, make sure the butter is cold and handle the dough as little as possible.
• If the edges of the pie crust start to brown too quickly during baking, cover them with aluminum foil to prevent burning.

Serving advice

Serve the Chinese-style apple pie warm or at room temperature. Dust it with powdered sugar for an elegant touch. This pie is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful indulgence.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation of the Chinese-style apple pie, you can garnish it with a sprinkle of Chinese five-spice powder or a few thin apple slices arranged in a decorative pattern on top of the lattice crust.