The Beloved Apple Custard Pie: A Story of Sweet Success

Every year, as autumn leaves begin to fall and the air turns crisp, my thoughts turn to baking. And what better way to celebrate a fall birthday than with a truly exceptional apple pie? This particular Apple Custard Pie recipe is not just any recipe; it’s a testament to culinary excellence, inspired by Hilda Huiskamp’s first-prize-winning creation from a Dutch contest back in 2006. Her recipe, upon which this one is lovingly based, captured hearts and taste buds for its unparalleled balance of fresh, sweet, and creamy textures. It’s a classic for a reason, offering a delightful combination of tender, slightly tart apples and a smooth, sweet custard baked into a perfect golden crust. This pie embodies comfort and celebration, making it an ideal dessert for special occasions or simply a cozy evening treat.

The beauty of this Apple Custard Pie lies in its unique construction. Unlike traditional apple pies where apples are often mixed with spices and sugar directly into the crust, here, the apples are arranged within the pie shell and then generously covered with a rich, silky custard before baking. This method ensures that each apple wedge is perfectly tender, while the custard transforms into a thick, creamy filling that cradles the fruit. The result is a pie with a delightful contrast: a firm, flaky crust, a soft and flavorful apple core, and a smooth, sweet custard that ties everything together. It’s a dessert that truly stands out, offering a sophisticated twist on a beloved classic.

Gathering Your Ingredients for the Ultimate Apple Custard Pie

To embark on your journey to create this magnificent Apple Custard Pie, you’ll need a selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the pie’s signature flavor and texture. The precise measurements for each ingredient can be conveniently found in the detailed recipe card located at the bottom of this blog post. However, let’s dive deeper into what makes each ingredient essential and how to choose the best ones for optimal results.

• Apples – The star of the show! For this apple pie, it’s crucial to select baking apples that offer a good balance of sweet and tartness and hold their shape well without becoming mushy. Varieties like Golden Reinette or Pippin are traditional choices, known for softening beautifully when baked while retaining their distinct flavor. If these aren’t readily available, excellent alternatives include Jonagold or Braeburn apples, which are also highly recommended for their baking properties. Consider the texture you desire; a firmer apple will provide more bite, while a softer one will blend seamlessly with the custard.
• Flour – All-purpose flour is the foundation of our pie crust, providing the necessary structure and body. Ensure your flour is fresh and sifted to avoid lumps, contributing to a smooth, workable dough.
• Baking powder – This leavening agent is key to achieving a light, airy, and tender pie crust. It reacts during baking to produce carbon dioxide, creating a delicate crumb that complements the rich filling.
• Sugar – Granulated sugar serves as the primary sweetener for both the crust and the luscious custard filling. It balances the tartness of the apples and enhances the overall flavor profile, creating that delightful sweetness characteristic of a perfect apple pie.
• Butter – Unsalted butter, at room temperature, is essential for a rich and flaky pie dough. The fat in the butter helps create layers in the crust when baked. Using room-temperature butter ensures it incorporates smoothly into the flour mixture, preventing a tough crust.
• Custard powder – This vital ingredient is typically a blend of cornstarch, vanilla flavor, and a yellow colorant. Its main purpose is to thicken the cream, transforming it into a luxurious, stable custard. It provides the creamy consistency that makes this pie so unique.
• Cream – Full-fat heavy cream is the main liquid component of our decadent custard filling. When combined with custard powder, vanilla, and sugar, it forms the rich, pourable mixture that bakes into a firm, creamy layer around the apples. The higher fat content contributes significantly to the custard’s smooth texture and rich mouthfeel.
• Vanilla extract – A splash of vanilla extract infuses the custard with a warm, aromatic hint of vanilla, elevating its flavor. If you don’t have vanilla extract on hand, two teaspoons of vanilla sugar can be an excellent substitute, adding both sweetness and vanilla essence.

Mastering the Art of Apple Custard Pie: A Step-by-Step Preparation Guide

Baking this Apple Custard Pie is a rewarding experience, and with our clear, step-by-step instructions, you’ll find the process enjoyable and straightforward. For a convenient, printable version of the recipe complete with detailed guidance, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this page. Let’s walk through each stage to ensure your pie turns out perfectly golden, creamy, and irresistibly delicious.

1. Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, a large egg, granulated sugar, and softened unsalted butter. Use your hands or a stand mixer with a dough hook to knead these ingredients together until a smooth, cohesive dough forms. Avoid overworking the dough, as this can make the crust tough. Once formed, gently shape the dough into a round disc, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling period allows the gluten to relax, making the dough easier to roll out and resulting in a more tender crust. After chilling, lightly flour your work surface and roll out the dough into a large circle, approximately 14 inches (34 cm) in diameter, which should be sufficient to line your springform pan with some overhang. Carefully transfer the rolled dough into the springform, gently pressing it against the bottom and up the sides. Trim any excess dough from the edges using a sharp knife, creating a neat finish.
2. Arrange the Apples: Begin by peeling the apples, then carefully remove their cores. Cut each apple into eight evenly sized wedges. The uniform size helps them cook consistently and creates an attractive presentation. Arrange these apple wedges upright in the dough-lined springform pan, packing them snugly together. The goal is to fill the pan as completely as possible with apples, as they will shrink slightly during baking. This creates a dense, flavorful apple layer that forms the heart of your pie.
3. Craft the Custard: In a medium bowl, whisk together a portion of the cream (as specified in the recipe card), custard powder, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and no lumps remain. This is your custard slurry. In a separate saucepan, bring the remaining cream to a gentle boil over medium heat. Once boiling, remove it from the heat and gradually stir in your custard slurry. Return the saucepan to low heat, and continue to stir constantly with a whisk. The custard will gradually thicken to a beautiful, pourable consistency. Keep stirring until it reaches a rich, creamy thickness, similar to a pourable pudding.
4. Assemble and Bake: Once your custard is perfectly thickened, carefully pour it evenly over the arranged apples in the springform pan, ensuring all the apple wedges are well coated and nestled in the creamy mixture. Place the springform pan into your preheated oven at 350 °F (180 °C) on a rack positioned at one-third height from the bottom. Bake for approximately 70 minutes. To prevent the top of your pie from browning too quickly, especially after the first 40 minutes, check on it every 10 minutes. If you notice it’s getting too dark, loosely cover the top with aluminum foil for the remainder of the baking time. Once baked, remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool completely to room temperature on a wire rack. This slow cooling is crucial for the custard to set properly. After it has cooled, transfer the pie to the refrigerator and let it chill and stiffen for at least 3 hours, or preferably overnight. This final chilling step ensures the custard is perfectly firm and makes slicing a breeze.

Did you make this delicious Apple Custard Pie recipe? We would absolutely love to see your culinary creations! Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I genuinely enjoy seeing what masterpieces you’ve whipped up in your kitchen and regularly share the most beautiful photos from our community. Your efforts inspire us all! Did you fall in love with this recipe? Then please consider leaving a rating on the recipe card below! Your valuable feedback not only helps other home cooks discover wonderful recipes but also supports me in continuing to share more delightful dishes.

Need more baking inspiration or sweet treats?

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Apple Custard Pie

Andréa