In lieu of Memorial Day, what is more American than Apple Pie? I thought I would share a recipe that I found from Martha Stewart for an amazing Pâte Brisée Spiced Apple Pie with Heart Cutouts. You can not go wrong with any recipe by Martha, so here it goes:
So first of all, you are probably wondering what Pâte Brisée is. Simply put, it is a light flaky pastry dough that in French literally means "short dough." Like a short bread, it contains a VERY high ratio of fat to flour, making it VERY delicious. If you are going to learn to make one pastry dough this is the one to make, because it is incredibly versatile, simple, and divine - cracking the myth that pie dough is difficult to make. Here is the simple step by step:
Pâte Brisée Ingredients (Makes enough for 1 double-crust, or 2 single 9-inch pies):
2 3/4 cups All-Purpose Flour
1 1/2 tsp Coarse Sea Salt
1 tbsp Granulated Sugar
2 1/4 Sticks (18 tbsp) COLD Unsalted Butter, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
8 tbsp Ice Cold Water
Pâte Brisée Directions:
Important things to remember: To ensure a flaky crust, chill the butter AND the flour before using. Work quickly so that the butter remains cold.
1.) Mix the Flour, Salt, and Sugar in a stand mixer, until well mixed. Add the Butter, and continue to mix until coarse crumbs form, which takes about 10 seconds.
2.) With the stand mixer still running, add the Ice Water in a slow, steady stream just until dough holds together and is not wet or sticky. This should take no longer than 30 seconds.
3.) Divide the dough into two portions, and shape each into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate AT LEAST one hour or overnight.
Spiced Apple Pie with Heart Cutouts Ingredients:
The Pâte Brisée that you made
4 pounds Granny Smith Apples
1 tbsp Lemon Zest, Finely Grated
2 tsp Fresh Lemon Juice
3/4 cup Packed Light-Brown Sugar
1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour, plus more for Dusting
1 tsp Coarse Salt
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1 tsp Fresh Grated Nutmeg
3 tbsp Cold Unsalted Butter, cut into small pieces
1 large Egg Yolk
1 tbsp Heavy Cream
Fine sanding Sugar, for sprinkling
Spiced Apple Pie with Heart Cutouts Directions:
1.) Pre-Heat oven to 400 degrees, with rack in the middle positions. On a lightly floured work space, roll one of the Pâte Brisée disks that you previously made, to 1/8" thick. Then, fit into a 9" deep dish pie plate, and refrigerate for one hour.
2.) Peel and Core the Apples. Thinly slice the apples, and cut remaining apples into 1 inch pieces.
3.) Toss together the Apples, Lemon Zest and Juice, Sugars, Flour, Salt, Cinnamon, and Nutmeg in a large bowl. Place the filling in the pie crust, mounding it in the center. Dot with Butter.
4.) Roll remaining disk of Pâte Brisée to 1/8" thick. Using a heart shaped cookie cutter, cut dough, and start placing in a clockwise motion starting around the crust of the pie. You really can use any type of cookie cutter that you like, and think would make the pie look attractive. Layer the Pâte Brisée over the filling, working in a spiral from the outside into the center, overlapping them slightly.
5.) To make the Egg Wash, you will need to whisk the Cream and Egg Yolk. Once you have covered the entire top of the pie with the cutouts, you will want to lightly brush the pie top and crust with the egg wash you have prepared. (This is going to give it a glossy and crispier appearance on the outside once cooked.) Sprinkle the sanding sugar on the top for an extra treat!
6.) Place pie on middle rack, and bake until crust begins to turn golden brown, which takes about 25 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees, and bake until crust is golden brown and the juices are bubbling (about 1 hour & 10 minutes more). If crust begins to brown to quickly, you can tent with foil to help it not burn.
Serve & Bon Appétit!
Also, if you were looking for a dish to bake this pie in, Macy's has a cute "Bake for the Cause" pie dish. Pretty in pink, this cute 9” pie dish gives you good cause to bake - 10% of every purchase goes to breast cancer research. Featuring a classic scalloped, wavy rim and a warm pink color, the dish is almost as inviting as the pie inside. Constructed of durable Burgundy clay, the same material Emile Henry has been using for over 150 years, the strong glaze allows bakers to cut into the pie dish without scratching or marring the surface.