As autumn rolls in, my friend’s apple tree in her garden gets loaded with juicy apples.
She’s super generous and shares this apple abundance with me, sparking a tasty idea: my favourite vegan apple pie, spruced up with soft peaches – it’s a yummy twist on a classic.
But did you know that in the UK, a whopping 800,000 apples get tossed out every day?
Now, don’t get me wrong; I enjoy munching on a crisp apple. But there’s something truly special about turning those apples into a mouthwatering apple pie.
It’s not just about making a more delicious dessert; it’s also about saving those apples from being wasted and doing a good thing for the environment.
So, whether you’re a kitchen pro or just starting your vegan baking journey, I’m here to help you make an easy vegan apple peach pie using simple shortcrust pastry. Let’s dive into this tasty adventure together!
Exploring the Orchard: Britain’s Bountiful Apple Varieties
First, let’s take a delightful journey into Britain’s orchards. In the UK, we’re spoiled with a variety of apple types to choose from.
When making a delicious apple pie, you’ll want apples that offer both sweet and slightly tart flavours while holding their shape during baking.
Here are the top 5 popular British apple types, with one being the preferred choice for apple pie lovers:
- Bramley: The Bramley apple is the top pick for apple pies. Its tartness and ability to stay firm when baked make it the best choice for pie-making. Bramley’s strong flavour works well with sweet fillings.
- Cox’s Orange Pippin: Known for its sweet, fragrant, and slightly tangy taste, the Cox’s Orange Pippin apple adds a delightful complexity to your pies. It’s a favourite among those who prefer a sweeter pie filling.
- Egremont Russet: If you like a nutty and rich flavour in your apple pie, the Egremont Russet is an excellent choice. Its unique taste and somewhat drier texture can create a lovely contrast in your pie.
- Worcester Pearmain: With its sweet and juicy characteristics, it is a delightful addition to apple pies when you desire a sweeter and softer filling. It pairs beautifully with cinnamon and spices.
- Discovery: The Discovery variety offers a sweet and slightly tangy taste for a burst of early-season apple goodness. It’s a fantastic choice if you can’t wait for autumn to satisfy your apple pie cravings.
While each British apple type has its unique appeal, the Bramley apple stands out as the traditional and widely embraced choice for crafting the perfect apple pie.
Its balance of tartness and texture makes it the ideal companion for pie-making adventures in the kitchen.
Creating the Perfect Apple Pie Filling
Now that we’ve explored Britain’s array of apple varieties, it’s time to turn our attention to the heart of every apple pie—the filling.
There are six key considerations to ensure a mouthwatering result. Let’s break down these elements:
Cook apples first, or not?
- Whether to pre-cook your apples or not largely depends on your preference for the texture of the filling.
- Pre-cooking apples slightly can help ensure they soften evenly during baking.
- However, you can skip this step if you prefer a firmer and more pronounced apple texture.
- Remember that pre-cooking can also help release excess moisture from the apples, preventing a soggy crust.
Adding other fruits
- While traditional apple pie sticks to apples, there’s room for creativity!
- You can incorporate other stoned fruits like peaches or pears to add variety and depth to your pie.
- Just be mindful of the moisture content of the additional fruits, as it may affect the consistency of the filling. Adjust your thickening agent accordingly.
Enriching the texture
- To elevate the texture of your apple pie filling, consider some additional ingredients like nuts or raisins.
- Chopped walnuts or pecans can introduce a delightful crunch, while plump raisins infuse bursts of sweetness.
- These additions enrich the texture and add layers of flavour to your pie.
Spicing things up with alcohol
- A splash of alcohol, such as brandy or bourbon, can elevate your apple pie’s flavour profile. It infuses a subtle warmth and complexity, making each bite a delightful experience.
- Just remember, a little goes a long way; you don’t want the alcohol to overpower the natural sweetness of the apples.
Sweeten the filling
- Achieving the perfect level of sweetness in your pie filling is key to a mouthwatering dessert.
- Mix white and brown sugars for a balanced, rich sweetness. White sugar adds straightforward sweetness, while brown sugar brings a touch of depth.
- For a healthier twist, decrease the total quantity of sugar in the recipe and top up using dates, maple syrup or fruit’s natural sweetness.
- Taste and adjust to find your sweet spot.
Thickening the filling
- Thickening the filling is crucial to prevent a runny pie. Cornstarch, arrowroot, or tapioca starch are commonly used thickeners.
- You can mix your chosen thickener with cold water before adding it to the filling to ensure consistency.
Now that we’ve unlocked the secrets to crafting a perfect apple pie filling, you’re well-equipped to create a pie bursting with flavour and texture
In the next section, we’ll explore the all-important crust and its role in making your vegan apple pie a true masterpiece.
Perfecting Your Pie Crust
It’s time to focus on another essential foundation—the crust. Let’s use the best approach to ensure a foolproof vegan pie crust!
Homemade or shop-bought?
The decision to use homemade or shop-bought pie crust largely depends on your preferences and dietary needs.
Nowadays, it’s easy to find vegan shortcrust pastry in supermarkets, making it a convenient option for many. These ready-made options save time and effort.
Special dietary needs
If you have specific dietary requirements, such as gluten-free, homemade may be your go-to choice. Pre-made vegan crusts may not always align with specialized dietary needs.
Making your own allows you to select gluten-free flours or other alternative ingredients tailored to your dietary restrictions.
Equipment for making shortcrust pastry
To make your own shortcrust pastry, you won’t need elaborate equipment.
A basic set of mixing bowls, a pastry cutter (for cutting the fat into the flour), and a rolling pin are typically sufficient. These common kitchen tools help you create a simple and perfectly textured pastry.
Covering your apple pie with pastry
While the classic image of an apple pie often features a top crust, you have creative options.
You can certainly have an open-face apple pie or experiment with crunchy toppings.
An open-face pie showcases the filling, allowing it to caramelize and bubble.
Crunchy toppings, such as streusel or crumble, add a delightful contrast in texture and flavour.
Foil on the top layer
To prevent the top layer of your pastry from burning while the pie bakes, placing a sheet of foil over it is a smart trick.
This simple step ensures your crust maintains its golden perfection without becoming overly dark.
With these insights into perfecting your pie crust, you’re well on your way to creating a vegan apple pie that’s easy to make and yet delicious!
Now, the most exciting time comes: let’s combine it with a step-by-step vegan apple pie recipe.
Vegan Apple Peach Pie with Shortcrust Pastry
Equipment
- 1 Rolling Pin
- 1 dough scrapper
- 1 pie dish
- 1 non-stick saucepan
Ingredients
- 2 – 3 large apples (any variety available)
- 2 ripe peaches (or other fruits like pears, plums, or apricots)
- 30 grams white sugar
- 30 grams brown sugar
- 30 grams raisins (soaked in apple or orange juice for 30 minutes, or soaked in Rum or Bourbon for added flavour)
- ½ tbsp coconut oil (for greasing the pie dish to prevent sticking)
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp mixed ground spice
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tsp cornflour (for thickening the filling)
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 500 grams store-bought vegan shortcrust pastry
Instructions
Prepare the filling
- Begin by soaking the raisins in advance, for at least 30 minutes, to soften them.
- Wash all the fruits you're going to use, including the apples and peaches.
- Peel the apples and slice them into evenly sized-pieces.
- In a saucepan, cook the apple slices. There's no need to add any butter, as we're opting for a healthier approach.
- Once the apples have softened slightly, add the spices and mix them well with the apples. Allow this to cook for an additional minute.
- Add lemon juice.
- Next, add half of both the white and brown sugar, ensuring all the apples are evenly coated. Cook for another minute.
- Pour in the soaked juice, but keep the raisins in the bowl.
- Add salt, and lemon zest and thoroughly mix everything together.
- When the liquid in the pan starts to bubble slightly, turn off the heat. Add the cornflour.
- Switch to low-medium heat and mix well.
- Turn off the heat again and cover the saucepan with a lid. Let it sit on the stove for 5 minutes to cool slightly, and allow the flavours to meld.
- While waiting for the filling to cool down, destone the peaches and slice them into slightly thicker pieces than apple slices. Peaches don't need to be cooked in a saucepan; they soften quickly in the oven.
Prepare the shortcrust pastry
- Now, it's time to prepare the shortcrust pastry for your pie dish. If you're using store-bought vegan shortcrust pastry that has been refrigerated, remove it from the packaging and let it come to a cool room temperature for a few minutes to make it easier to handle.
- Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface, then roll it out to fit your pie dish.
- Before fitting the pastry into your pie dish, apply a thin layer of coconut oil to the bottom of the dish to prevent sticking.
- When fitting the pastry to your pie dish, ensure that it covers both the base and sides of the dish. If necessary, use a little dough to patch up any holes in the bottom crust or gaps on the sides.
- Use a fork to poke holes at the bottom of the pastry to prevent the pastry from blistering.
Assemble the pie
- Preheat your oven to the recommended temperature for the pastry you're using.
- Place the cooled apple and raisin filling into the prepared pastry-lined pie dish.
- Add the sliced peaches and sprinkle the remaining sugar on the filling.
- Cover the pie with another layer of pastry. To get creative, you can create a lattice design with strips of pastry, as desired. Trim off any excess pastry hanging over the edges.
Bake the pie
- Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake according to the pastry instructions or until the pastry turns golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
- Once the pie is beautifully golden and the filling is cooked, carefully remove it from the oven.
Serve and enjoy
- Allow the pie to cool slightly before serving. It can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.
- Serve your Vegan Apple Peach Pie as is or with a dollop of dairy-free ice cream or a drizzle of vegan custard for an extra treat.
