So I’ve been hinting at it for a few weeks but PIE WEEK is finally here! Whoopie! An entire week (well 3 days of it at least,) of delicious Pie Recipes from my fellow bloggers and me. My brain is in hard-core Thanksgiving dessert mode and so I hope you’re excited as I am for the week of inspiration. In addition to the recipes, Brandy & I have arranged some fabulous pie-themed giveaways starting with one from King Arthur Flour and Cabot today! (details below)
I’m starting us off with a take on everyone’s favorite classic apple pie. This isn’t your run of the mill apple pie though, It is full of so many special touches like toasty brown butter, creamy custard and a crisp and crumbly cinnamon topping. This pie is both tart and sweet and possibly my new favorite twist on the classic. I served it over the weekend to some friends we had visiting and everyone agreed the different flavors and textures created something truly special. Each bite is layered with creamy apple pie goodness that I couldn’t get enough of.
I’ve tried it several ways since making it, room temperature, warm and cold straight from the fridge. I have to say that nothing quite compares to enjoying it cold as the custard somehow tastes even better and the tart apples are even more refreshing. This also earns this pie major points in my book for being so easy to prepare in advance, cover well, and save for a day or two until ready to serve. Planning ahead is key for holiday prep wouldn’t you say?
- 1 single 9 inch pie crust
- 4 medium-sized tart and firm apples, peeled and sliced (about 5 cups)
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons cold butter- cubed.
- Preheat oven to 375F.
- In a medium-large sized saucepan, brown the butter over medium-high heat. (Once it is melted stir constantly until it is a toasty golden brown with dark specks.
- Add the spices into the butter and then gently add the apple slices, tossing in the butter spice mixture.
- Cook for about 5 minutes, or until apples have softened just slightly. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Whisk all the heavy cream, egg and vanilla extract until smooth. Add the sugar, flour and salt. Whisk until creamy and lump-free. Set aside.
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar and cinnamon. Add the butter and use your hands to work it into the dry ingredients until it is crumbly with no pieces bigger than a pea.
- Roll out the pie crust and fit it into a 9 inch pie pan, crimping the edges with your fingers, the back of a knife, or a fork.
- Spread the apples evenly into the bottom of the crust. Pour the custard over the apples and sprinkle the crumb topping over the custard.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the crumb topping is crisp with the filling bubbling around the edges.
- Let cool on a wire rack and enjoy warm or let cool completely and chill before serving.
I couldn’t be more excited for the wonderful products that we are giving away today from the fabulous King Arthur Flour and Cabot. Two lucky readers will be chosen for today’s giveaway for the following fabulous prizes:
From King Arthur Four: 1 bag of all-purpose flour, 1 jar of pumpkin pie spice, 1 jar of apple pie spice, 1 deep dish pie plate and 1 rolling pin!
From Cabot: 1 gift basket containing various cheeses and Cabot products!
Follow the instructions in the widget below to enter:
Looking for more Pie Week recipes? Check out the what my fellow pie-gals have whipped up!
Bourbon Apple Hand Pies from Nutmeg Nanny
Pumpkin Pie Croutons from Chocolate and Carrots
Mini Pumpkin Pies from Dessert for Two
Winter Squash Pot Pie with Chickpeas and Swiss Chard from Eats Well With Others
Fancy Holiday Chocolate Pecan Pie from Keep It Sweet Desserts
Chocolate Pecan Tart from Bake or Break
Apple Cherry Galette with Kettle Chip Crumble from Country Cleaver
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
The combination of the brown butter filling and the cinnamon topping sound to die for. Looks like I have another thing to add to my baking list!
Joanne says
Between the brown butter and the custard, this takes apple pie to a whole new level!! After seeing this I’m probably going to have to rethink my pie strategy for the big day…yum!
Emily @ Life on Food says
I kind of thing original apple pie is a bit boring. Nothing to call home about. This looks amazing. Certainly want to give this one a go the next time my husband wants some pie.
Candace @ Cabot says
What better week is there than Pie Week? Cabot is thrilled to be part of the festivities! Now I have to get in the kitchen, because you’ve just taken Apple Pie to a whole new level of amazing!
Elisa @ Insalata di Sillabe says
I’m all about brown sugar right now, so I’m beyond excited to try it into an apple pie! Great twist on a classic!
xo, Elisa
Amanda says
This looks amazing!! I was playing around with a custard apple pie but couldn’t get the measurements down. Thanks for the recipe – made my Thanksgiving baking menu so much easier to tackle!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
This pie looks perfect Audra! I love the custard filling!
Jennifer | Bake or Break says
Audra, this looks incredible! I love the addition of custard. And, I’m always a sucker for crumb toppings!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
What an absolutely gorgeous pie! Apples and custard sound delightful.
Megan {Country Cleaver} says
Pie week is off to a magnificent start!! This looks divine!
Bonny @ Clever Hen says
Yum! Yum! Can’t wait to make this one!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
Oh my goodness that looks so awesome! Never thought traditional apple pie could be outdone.
Carla @ Carlas Confections says
Oh yes! This looks gorgeous!!!
phyllis ostrofsky says
Off I go to buy some heavy cream …. lol.
Rebecca says
Ohhh I love pies ;) Especially apple and the combination with cinnamon is just irresistible :D Cant wait to see more pie recipes ;)
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
Goodness gracious, look at this gaw-geous pie! I would dive fork-first into this pie with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. Such a beautiful and comforting dessert for the holidays! Lovely job, Audra!
Anna @ Bashful Bao says
I love this twist on apple pie-it sounds perfect! Can’t wait to see what else is in store for pie week!!
Tracey says
Brown butter in apple pie?? Now we’re talking! This is a great twist on the classic. Hooray for the first day of pie week, can’t wait to join you guys Wednesday :)
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
Ok this is definitely going on the holiday table this year! Looks amazing!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
This sounds amazingly delicious!! I love seeing twists on apple pie, and this sounds like a great one. Brown butter?! I’m always all about it. Pinning :)
Mimi @ Culinary Couture says
Need this pie in my life STAT! I can’t wait to see what else you’ve got in store for us!
2 sisters recipes says
HI Audra! First time stopping by your site and so glad we did! Your pie looks AMAZING! I love how you add the brown butter ? We can’t wait to try it! thanks for sharing!
Erin | The Law Student's Wife says
BEST WEEK EVER!!! Thanks so much for putting this together. We are going to need at least 8 of these on my family’s Thanksgiving table: one for every day of the week, and an extra just for good measure.
Coco in the Kitchen says
It’s funny that you baked this, Audra. I have some apple butter in my fridge and have been craving pie.
Now I know what to do!
Hope you’re doing well, Mama! xo
ashleigh says
This is happening in my kitchen RIGHT NOW! Thank you, Audra!
Stacey Bowen says
I’m so excited to try this (both baking and eating)! Quick question…I just want to make sure the recipe indicates to NOT heat the custard before putting it into the pie? It doesn’t say, but I just wanted to double check…Thanks!
Audra says
That’s right! The custard gets poured in cold and then bakes up :)
Mark Valdez says
Hey there! I’m making this right now, and the custard is overflowing…is this natural? I whipped it to about medium-thick peaks, and it’s just coming out all over the pie. Also, should I have baked the pie crust before?
Audra says
Hey Mark! Sorry for the confusion but the recipe says you’re just supposed to *whisk* the custard together until smooth- not whip it into soft or medium peaks. It must have increased way too much in volume.
Also- no you don’t have to pre-bake the crust!
Caroline @ chocolate & carrots says
Such an amazing pie week! This is such a beautiful take on apple pie, Audra! Thank you so much for including me in Pie Week!
google.com says
Hello there, You’ve done an excellent job. I’ll certainly digg it and personally suggest to my friends.
I’m sure they’ll be benefited from this site.
Olivia says
i made this and it was delicious and so easy!!! i’m a sucker for anything with brown butter and this was amazing!! i highly recommend it :)
Mary says
So the custard is not cooked at all before the oven? I just attempted this pie for the first time and found the custard still completely liquid at the end of the process. All of the flavors were still wonderful, but I had no luck serving this in slices with the custard in that state.
Olivia says
Made this over the holidays and it was so good!! Delicious!! I used a pre-made graham cracker crust too which totally worked well with it! I would definitely make this again! And make sure that I have ice cream on hand the second time around!
stephanie hilger says
Does this pie need to be refrigerated or can it set out at room temp if not eating right away? thanks :)
Audra says
I prefer it served cold but it can be room temp as well