5 Simple Steps to Make the Perfect French Apple Pie with Thermomix

Discover the Joy of French Apple Pie

Nothing says comfort quite like a warm, homemade French Apple Pie fresh from the oven. With its tender, spiced apple filling and a buttery, flaky crust, this pie brings a taste of France to your table. Unlike the traditional American apple pie, which often features a double crust, the French version emphasizes a more delicate shortcrust pastry and a gently spiced filling, creating a lighter and more refined dessert experience. Using your Thermomix simplifies the entire process, making it easier than ever to prepare a beautiful, restaurant-quality French Apple Pie at home. Let’s dive into the details to create your own authentic French Apple Pie with Thermomix—perfect for any occasion!

Ingredients for French Apple Pie

• 1 quantity sweet shortcrust pastry (either store-bought or homemade)
• 7-8 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced thinly
• ⅓ cup raw sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 egg, lightly beaten (for brushing)
• Optional: pinch of nutmeg or cloves for added warmth

Instructions for Making French Apple Pie

1. Prepare the Pastry: If using homemade pastry, form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. This step helps achieve the perfect flaky crust for your French Apple Pie.
2. Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 190°C (170°C for fan-forced ovens). Grease a 24cm pie dish and set it aside.
3. Cook the Apples in the Thermomix: Place the sliced apples in the Thermomix Varoma dish. Add 500g of water to the Thermomix bowl, set to Varoma temperature, and cook on Speed 2 for 15 minutes. This step softens the apples perfectly for the filling.
4. Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the cooked apples, raw sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Optionally, add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves for extra depth. Toss to coat evenly.
5. Assemble the French Apple Pie: Roll out two-thirds of the pastry to about 3mm thickness. Place it in the prepared pie dish, pressing it gently to cover the base and sides. Drain any excess liquid from the apple mixture to prevent a soggy crust, then add the apples.
6. Top the Pie: Roll out the remaining pastry for the top crust. Place it over the apple filling, trim any excess, and seal the edges by pressing with your fingers or a fork. Brush the top with the beaten egg and sprinkle with raw sugar for a golden finish. Don’t forget to cut a few slits in the top to allow steam to escape.
7. Bake the Pie: Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Let the French Apple Pie cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Expert Tips for Perfect French Apple Pie

1. Choosing Apples: For a balanced French Apple Pie flavor, use a mix of tart and sweet apples, such as Granny Smith and Fuji.
2. Pre-Cook Apples: Cooking the apples in the Thermomix before baking helps avoid excess moisture in the pie, preventing a soggy crust.
3. Chill the Dough: Cold dough yields a flakier crust. For a crispy crust that melts in your mouth, make sure to chill the pastry before rolling it out.
4. Egg Wash: Brushing the top crust with a beaten egg gives the pie a beautiful golden color and adds shine, elevating its appearance.

Nutrition Information for French Apple Pie

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 143 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Protein: 1g
• Fat: 1g
• Saturated Fat: 0.2g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g
• Trans Fat: 0.003g
• Cholesterol: 20mg
• Sodium: 10mg
• Potassium: 185mg
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 29g
• Vitamin A: 117IU
• Vitamin C: 8mg
• Calcium: 17mg
• Iron: 0.4mg

Why You’ll Love This French Apple Pie Recipe

1. Authentic Taste: This French Apple Pie recipe captures the authentic flavor and texture of French patisserie-quality desserts.
2. Thermomix Convenience: Using the Thermomix saves time and ensures perfectly cooked apples with minimal effort.
3. Perfect for Gatherings: This pie is an ideal dessert for family gatherings, holidays, or any time you want to treat yourself.
4. Easy to Customize: From the spices to the topping, this recipe offers several ways to make it your own.
5. Great Make-Ahead Option: You can make and chill the pastry dough in advance, making this a convenient dessert for busy days.

Key Ingredients and Substitutions for French Apple Pie

• Apples: Granny Smith apples work well for tartness, while Fuji adds sweetness. A mix of the two yields the best flavor. For a slightly different taste, you can also try Golden Delicious or Honeycrisp.
• Raw Sugar: This recipe uses raw sugar for its slight caramel-like undertone, but you can substitute granulated or brown sugar if desired.
• Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice prevents the apples from browning and adds a slight tartness. If you don’t have lemon juice, a touch of apple cider vinegar works as a substitute.
• Cinnamon and Spices: Cinnamon is classic in apple pie, but adding a pinch of nutmeg, cloves, or even ginger gives a more complex flavor to the French Apple Pie filling.

How to Make French Apple Pie Step-by-Step

1. Prepare the Shortcrust Pastry: Whether you’re making it from scratch or using store-bought, chilling the pastry is key to a flaky texture.
2. Cook the Apples: Use the Thermomix to cook the apples to the perfect texture for your French Apple Pie. Cooking them with the spices enhances the flavors and prevents sogginess in the finished pie.
3. Assemble the Pie: Roll out the dough, add the filling, and carefully place the top crust. Make sure to cut slits in the top for steam to escape while baking.
4. Bake: Bake until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling, ensuring the flavors meld perfectly.

Expert Tips for Success

1. Use Cold Ingredients: Cold butter and chilled dough help achieve a flaky crust.
2. Pre-Cook the Apples: Cooking the apples in the Thermomix first prevents the filling from becoming watery.
3. Avoid Overfilling: Overloading the pie with filling can make it harder to bake evenly, so make sure not to overstuff.
4. Brush with Egg Wash: This small step adds a professional touch and a beautiful finish to your French Apple Pie.

Variations and Customizations

• Add a Nutty Crumble: Top with a mixture of oats, nuts, and brown sugar before adding the top crust for extra crunch.
• Spice It Up: Try adding ginger or cardamom along with cinnamon to the apple filling for added warmth and depth.
• Rustic Galette Style: Instead of a top crust, fold the edges of the dough over the filling for a more casual, rustic look.

Storing and Reheating French Apple Pie

Keep any leftover pie fresh by storing it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 180°C for 10-15 minutes, or microwave briefly for a quick warm-up. The French Apple Pie also freezes well. For longer storage, wrap each slice tightly and freeze them for up to 30 days.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about French Apple Pie

Q: Can I substitute the raw sugar with another type of sweetener?
A: Yes, you can use granulated or brown sugar instead of raw sugar in French Apple Pie. Note that this may slightly change the flavor.

Q: What type of apples are best for French Apple Pie?
A: Tart apples like Granny Smith work well, but mixing them with sweet apples like Fuji or Honeycrisp adds complexity.

Q: How can I prevent the crust from becoming soggy?
A: To prevent a soggy crust, drain the apple filling before adding it to the pie and pre-cook the apples as directed.

Related Recipes You Might Enjoy

Pear Tart with Almond Cream: A French-inspired dessert with juicy pears and a smooth almond filling.

Rustic Apple Galette: A free-form apple pie with a flaky crust and a focus on fresh, seasonal apples.

More Thermomix dessert recipes to try :

Pumpkin Pie with Sweetened Condensed Milk

Easy Thermomix Pumpkin Cheesecake