Vietnamese-style Apple Pie

Ingredients

While the American apple pie is typically made with a flaky crust and a sweet apple filling, the Vietnamese-style Apple Pie incorporates Vietnamese spices like cinnamon, star anise, and ginger for a fragrant and slightly spiced twist. Additionally, we use coconut milk and palm sugar to add a touch of creaminess and a hint of caramel flavor to the filling. We alse have the original recipe for Apple Pie, so you can check it out.

• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (240g) 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
• 4-5 tablespoons ice water 4-5 tablespoons ice water
• 4-5 medium-sized apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced 4-5 medium-sized apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup (100g) palm sugar 1/2 cup (100g) palm sugar
• 1/4 cup (60ml) coconut milk 1/4 cup (60ml) coconut milk
• 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
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash) 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (for sprinkling) 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (for sprinkling)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat: 14g (7g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 47g (28g sugars)
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the cold cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter 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. Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and 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, palm sugar, coconut milk, cinnamon, star anise, ginger, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Mix well until the apples are coated evenly.
5. 5.
   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.
6. 6.
   Pour the apple filling into the pie crust, spreading it evenly.
7. 7.
   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.
8. 8.
   Brush the lattice crust with the beaten egg and sprinkle granulated sugar on top.
9. 9.
   Place the pie on a baking sheet and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
10. 10.
    Remove from the oven and let it cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Apples — Choose firm and tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and flavor in the pie.
• Palm sugar — If palm sugar is not available, you can substitute it with brown sugar or coconut sugar.
• Coconut milk — Use full-fat coconut milk for a rich and creamy filling.

Tips & Tricks

• To prevent the crust from becoming soggy, you can blind bake it for 10 minutes before adding the filling.
• Serve the pie warm with a scoop of coconut ice cream for an extra Vietnamese touch.
• If you prefer a sweeter filling, you can increase the amount of palm sugar or add a drizzle of condensed milk on top before serving.

Serving advice

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

Presentation advice

Garnish the pie with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or a few fresh mint leaves for an attractive presentation.