James Martin’s Apple Pie is a classic British dessert, known for its buttery pastry and sweet, spiced apple filling. With tender apples encased in a golden, flaky crust, this traditional pie is perfect for family gatherings or a comforting dessert after a meal. Serve it with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of custard for an irresistible treat.
What is James Martin’s Apple Pie?
James Martin’s Apple Pie features a rich, homemade shortcrust pastry filled with sliced apples, sugar, and warming spices like cinnamon. The apples are softened but still hold their shape, giving a balance of texture, and the crust is golden and flaky, making this a timeless dessert.
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Why You Should Try This Recipe
- Traditional Comfort Food: A classic British dessert that never goes out of style.
- Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The sweetness of the apples is balanced with warming spices and a buttery crust.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples and fresh apples for a homemade pie.
- Great for Family Meals: Ideal for family gatherings or a weekend treat.
- Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy with cream, custard, or ice cream for a complete dessert.
Ingredients Needed to Make James Martin Apple Pie
For the Pastry:
- 350g plain flour
- 200g unsalted butter (chilled and cubed)
- 100g icing sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2-3 tbsp cold water
For the Filling:
- 5-6 large Bramley or Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored, and sliced)
- 100g caster sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1-2 tbsp flour (to thicken the filling)
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter (optional, for dotting over the filling)
- 1 beaten egg (for glazing)
Instructions to Make James Martin Apple Pie
Make the Pastry:
- Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, rub the chilled, cubed butter into the flour and icing sugar using your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
- Add the Egg Yolks and Water: Stir in the egg yolks, then gradually add the cold water, a tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap the pastry in cling film and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
Prepare the Filling:
- Prepare the Apples: While the pastry is chilling, peel, core, and slice the apples. Place them in a bowl and toss with the lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, and flour.
Assemble the Pie:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) or gas mark 4.
- Roll Out the Pastry: On a floured surface, roll out two-thirds of the chilled pastry to fit your pie dish. Line the dish with the pastry, allowing a little overhang. Prick the base with a fork.
- Add the Apple Filling: Spoon the apple mixture into the pastry-lined dish, spreading it out evenly. Dot with small pieces of butter if you want a richer filling.
- Roll Out the Top Crust: Roll out the remaining third of the pastry for the top of the pie. Place it over the apples and crimp the edges to seal. Trim any excess pastry.
- Brush and Cut Vents: Brush the top of the pie with the beaten egg to give it a golden color. Cut a few small vents in the top to allow steam to escape during baking.
Bake the Pie:
- Bake the Pie: Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and the apples are tender.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the pie to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of custard, or a splash of cream.
What Goes Well With James Martin Apple Pie
- Vanilla Ice Cream: A classic pairing for warm apple pie.
- Custard: Pour warm custard over the pie for extra comfort.
- Whipped Cream: Lightly whipped cream adds a fluffy, creamy contrast to the pie.
- Cheddar Cheese: Some enjoy apple pie with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese for a unique, tangy combination.
- Caramel Sauce: Drizzle over the pie for added sweetness.
Expert Tips for Making the Best James Martin Apple Pie
- Use Chilled Ingredients: Cold butter and cold water are essential for achieving a flaky pastry.
- Don’t Overwork the Dough: Handle the dough as little as possible to avoid tough pastry.
- Blind Bake for a Crisp Base: If you prefer a crisp bottom crust, blind bake the pastry for 10-15 minutes before adding the filling.
- Choose Tart Apples: Use tart apples like Bramley or Granny Smith to balance the sweetness of the filling.
- Glaze for Golden Crust: Brushing the top crust with a beaten egg helps achieve a beautiful golden color.
Easy Variations of James Martin Apple Pie
- Apple and Berry Pie: Add a handful of mixed berries like blackberries or raspberries to the apple filling for a fruity twist.
- Spiced Apple Pie: Add ground nutmeg, allspice, or ginger along with the cinnamon for extra warmth.
- Crumb Topping: Instead of a top pastry crust, make a buttery crumble topping for a different texture.
- Gluten-Free Version: Use a gluten-free pastry recipe or a pre-made gluten-free pastry to make the pie suitable for gluten-free diets.
- Mini Apple Pies: Use smaller individual pie dishes or a muffin tin to create mini apple pies for a fun, portable treat.
Best Practices to Store James Martin Apple Pie
- Refrigerate: Store leftover pie in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Apple pie freezes well. Wrap the baked, cooled pie tightly in cling film and foil. Freeze for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheat in the Oven: Reheat slices of pie in the oven at 160°C (320°F) for 10-15 minutes to crisp up the pastry.
Best Practices to Reheat James Martin Apple Pie
- Oven Reheating: The best way to reheat apple pie is in the oven. Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F) and warm the pie for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave Reheating: For a quicker option, reheat individual slices in the microwave for 30-40 seconds, but note that the pastry may lose its crispiness.
How Can I Make James Martin Apple Pie Healthier?
- Reduce the Sugar: Cut back on the sugar in the filling or use a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup.
- Whole Wheat Pastry: Replace half of the plain flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier, fiber-rich crust.
- Use Less Butter: Reduce the amount of butter in the pastry or opt for a low-fat alternative.
- Add More Fruit: Increase the apple content and reduce the sugar to make the pie more fruit-forward.
Nutrition Value (per serving):
- Calories: 380
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Protein: 5g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 20g
FAQs
Can I freeze James Martin’s apple pie?
Yes, you can freeze James Martin’s apple pie. Once baked and completely cooled, wrap the pie tightly in cling film and foil. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. To serve, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven.
What are the best apples to use for apple pie?
Tart apples like Bramley or Granny Smith are ideal for apple pie. They hold their shape during baking and provide a balanced sweetness when combined with sugar and spices.
How do I prevent a soggy bottom on my apple pie?
To avoid a soggy bottom, blind-bake the pastry base for 10-15 minutes before adding the apple filling. You can also brush the bottom with egg white before blind baking to create a barrier between the filling and pastry.
How do I know when the apple pie is done?
Apple pie is done when the crust is golden brown and a skewer inserted into the filling goes through the apples easily. The filling should be bubbly and the apples tender but not mushy.
Final Words
This James Martin Apple Pie is a timeless dessert that combines a buttery, flaky pastry with a sweet and spiced apple filling.
The perfect mix of comfort and elegance, it’s a must-try for pie lovers!
More By British Baking Recipes
- Jamie Oliver Scotch Pancakes
- Mary Berry Apple Pie
- Mary Berry Apple Pie With Shortcrust Pastry
- James Martin Sticky Toffee Pudding
James Martin Apple Pie
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 45
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Description
James Martin’s Apple Pie features a rich, homemade shortcrust pastry filled with sliced apples, sugar, and warming spices like cinnamon. The apples are softened but still hold their shape, giving a balance of texture, and the crust is golden and flaky, making this a timeless dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pastry:
- 350g plain flour
- 200g unsalted butter (chilled and cubed)
- 100g icing sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2–3 tbsp cold water
For the Filling:
- 5–6 large Bramley or Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored, and sliced)
- 100g caster sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1–2 tbsp flour (to thicken the filling)
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter (optional, for dotting over the filling)
- 1 beaten egg (for glazing)
Instructions
Make the Pastry:
- Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, rub the chilled, cubed butter into the flour and icing sugar using your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
- Add the Egg Yolks and Water: Stir in the egg yolks, then gradually add the cold water, a tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap the pastry in cling film and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
Prepare the Filling:
- Prepare the Apples: While the pastry is chilling, peel, core, and slice the apples. Place them in a bowl and toss with the lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, and flour.
Assemble the Pie:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) or gas mark 4.
- Roll Out the Pastry: On a floured surface, roll out two-thirds of the chilled pastry to fit your pie dish. Line the dish with the pastry, allowing a little overhang. Prick the base with a fork.
- Add the Apple Filling: Spoon the apple mixture into the pastry-lined dish, spreading it out evenly. Dot with small pieces of butter if you want a richer filling.
- Roll Out the Top Crust: Roll out the remaining third of the pastry for the top of the pie. Place it over the apples and crimp the edges to seal. Trim any excess pastry.
- Brush and Cut Vents: Brush the top of the pie with the beaten egg to give it a golden color. Cut a few small vents in the top to allow steam to escape during baking.
Bake the Pie:
- Bake the Pie: Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and the apples are tender.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the pie to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of custard, or a splash of cream.
