Taiwanese-style Apple Pie

Ingredients

While the original American Apple Pie is known for its flaky crust and cinnamon-spiced apple filling, the Taiwanese-style Apple Pie adds a unique twist by incorporating local Taiwanese ingredients and flavors. The crust is made with a combination of butter and lard for extra richness, and the filling is infused with fragrant spices like star anise and ginger. 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 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 (57g) lard, cold and cubed 1/4 cup (57g) lard, cold and cubed
• 4-5 tablespoons ice water 4-5 tablespoons ice water
• 6 medium-sized apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced 6 medium-sized apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground star anise 1/2 teaspoon ground star anise
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash) 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 1 tablespoon coarse sugar (for sprinkling) 1 tablespoon coarse sugar (for sprinkling)

Nutrition

• Calories: 320 kcal / 1340 kJ
• Fat: 15g (7g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 45g (25g sugars)
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the cold butter and lard. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to cut the fats into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. 2.
   Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, and mix until the dough comes together. Divide the dough into two equal portions, shape into disks, and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
3. 3.
   Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).
4. 4.
   In a separate bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, star anise, ginger, and cornstarch. Toss until the apples are evenly coated.
5. 5.
   Roll out one portion of the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to fit a 9-inch pie dish. Transfer the dough to the dish and gently press it into the bottom and sides.
6. 6.
   Pour the apple filling into the pie crust, spreading it out evenly.
7. 7.
   Roll out the remaining portion of the dough and cut it into strips or shapes to create a lattice or decorative top crust. Place the strips or shapes over the apple filling.
8. 8.
   Brush the top crust with the beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
9. 9.
   Bake the pie for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
10. 10.
    Allow the pie to cool for at least 1 hour before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Apples — Choose firm and slightly tart varieties such as Granny Smith or Fuji for the best texture and flavor.
• Lard — If you can't find lard, you can substitute it with vegetable shortening or cold butter.
• Star anise — Use whole star anise and grind it into a fine powder for the freshest flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For a decorative touch, use cookie cutters to create shapes from the top crust.
• Serve the pie warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast of flavors.
• If the crust starts to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
• Experiment with different apple varieties to find your favorite combination of flavors.
• Leftover pie can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Serving advice

Serve the Taiwanese-style Apple Pie warm or at room temperature. It pairs well with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, dust the top of the pie with powdered sugar before serving. You can also garnish with a sprig of fresh mint or a sprinkle of ground cinnamon.