Description
Szarlotka, a traditional Polish apple pie, features a buttery, crumbly crust filled with cinnamon-spiced apples and topped with a golden crumble. This comforting dessert is perfect for cozy gatherings and pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
For the Filling
- 4 cups peeled and sliced apples
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch pie dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cold cubed butter, granulated sugar, and egg. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the ingredients together until the dough attains a crumbly texture.
- Form the Crust: Press half of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pie dish, forming a solid and even base crust for the pie.
- Prepare the Apple Filling: In another bowl, toss the peeled and sliced apples with 1/2 cup sugar, ground cinnamon, and lemon juice. Stir well until the apples are fully coated with the mixture to enhance flavor and preserve the fruit’s freshness.
- Assemble the Pie: Pour the apple filling into the crust, spreading the apples evenly to ensure an even bake and balanced taste.
- Add the Crumble Topping: Crumble the remaining half of the dough over the top of the apples to create a rustic, crumbly topping that will bake to a golden finish.
- Bake the Pie: Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the filling bubbles, indicating the apples are tender and the sugar is caramelized.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the pie to cool completely before slicing to let the filling set. Serve as is or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a balanced sweet and tart flavor.
- Chilling the dough before rolling can help make it easier to handle.
- For a richer crust, you can add a pinch of salt to the dough.
- Letting the pie cool completely before slicing helps maintain clean slices.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
