How to Bake Mary Berry’s Shortcrust Pastry Apple Pie

Mary Berry’s famed shortcrust pastry apple pie recipe is a favourite in many homes. It shines in the colder months and holidays. The pie features a crisp pastry and a delicious apple centre. This guide shows how to make this beloved dessert, perfect for all bakers.

Learning to make baking apple pie is both easy and rewarding. You’ll enjoy putting together your own classic apple pie recipe. It’s perfect for family events. Follow these steps for a golden-baked pie that will wow everyone. Check out more Mary Berry recipes to embrace traditional British baking.

Introduction to Mary Berry’s Classic Apple Pie

Mary Berry is a favourite in British baking. She is known for her easy-to-follow recipes that win over both beginners and skilled bakers. Her classic apple pie is a fine example of her style, mixing effortless baking with superb taste. This delightful treat uses top-quality ingredients, ensuring a delicious bite every time.

The pie, with its golden crust and spicy filling, is perfect for the colder months. It offers comfort at family gatherings and celebrations throughout the UK. Being more than just a dessert, it’s a valued tradition in many homes and a core part of British baking culture.

Its fame has grown thanks to TV baking shows, where it has captured hearts and inspired many to bake. Mary Berry’s practical advice makes baking this pie an exciting journey. She teaches how to pick the right apples and achieve the perfect crust, turning baking into a joyful experience.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4uSK3ZVBvI

Ingredients Needed for Mary Berry’s Shortcrust Pastry Apple Pie Recipe

Making a delicious apple pie starts with the right pastry ingredients and apples. This part will guide you through what’s needed for a shortcrust pastry apple pie. We’ll use Mary Berry’s famous recipe.

Essential Components of the Pastry

The key to a great pastry lies in its ingredients. For Mary Berry’s shortcrust pastry, you’ll need:

• 350g plain flour
• 175g hard block margarine
• 6 tablespoons of cold water

These items help create a crust that’s crispy and flaky. Handling the dough gently keeps it light. You mix the margarine and flour until it looks like fine breadcrumbs. Then, you slowly mix in the cold water to make a soft dough. This dough then needs to be chilled.

Choosing the Right Apples

Selecting the perfect apples is key for a tasty filling. Mary Berry recommends a mix of dessert and cooking apples. This ensures a balanced flavour. Suitable apple types include:

• Bramley
• Granny Smith

These apples are superb for baking. They keep their shape and add a nice contrast in sweetness. A bit of lemon juice on the apples will boost their taste. It also stops them from going brown, making the pie’s flavour even better.

With these pastry ingredients and the chosen apples, your apple pie will surely impress.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Shortcrust Pastry

Making the perfect shortcrust pastry requires exact skills in dough preparation. You’ll learn how to create a pastry with great texture and taste here. Follow these pastry making tips closely for best results.

Preparing the Dough

Sift 200 g of plain flour into a big bowl first. Add 100 g of cold, cubed butter. Rub the butter into the flour with your fingers until it looks like fine crumbs. Be gentle to keep the dough soft.

Slowly mix in 1 to 3 tablespoons of ice-cold water until the dough forms. If you’re not using an egg, just add more water instead.

Now, shape the dough into a flat circle, wrap it in cling film, and chill it for 30 minutes. Chilling makes the dough easier to handle and stops it from shrinking when baked.

Chilling and Rolling the Pastry

Let the dough warm up for 30-60 minutes after chilling. This makes rolling it out smoother. On a floured surface, roll the dough to a uniform 5 mm thickness.

Keep these rolling dough tips in mind to get it just right:

• Turn the pastry often to keep the thickness even.
• Add flour as needed to stop it from sticking.
• Lift and move the pastry carefully so it doesn’t stretch.

Once the pastry is about 35 cm wide, it’s ready to be placed in the tart case. Follow these instructions for a flawless shortcrust base for your fillings.

Assembling and Baking the Apple Pie

Assembling the apple pie means performing key steps for it to bake perfectly. Begin by making the oven hot at 220°C (fan 200°C). This temperature is perfect for making the pie golden and crisp.

Filling the Pie with Apples

The filling is crucial to your pie. Start by preparing the apples; peel, core, and cut them. Mix the apple pieces with sugar and cornflour. Add lemon juice to keep them fresh and tasty. Place this mixture into the pie dish nicely, creating a beautiful look with a mound in the middle.

Final Touches Before Baking

Before baking, glazing the pie is important. Milk brushed on the pastry edges will turn them golden while baking. Cut a small hole on top to let steam out, keeping the crust crisp. Decorate with pastry shapes for beauty. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes until the crust is golden and apples are soft.

After baking, let the pie cool before eating. This amazing pie can be enjoyed warm or cool. It stays good at room temperature for 2 days, or in the fridge for 5 days. If needed, freeze it for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven or microwave when ready to enjoy.

Conclusion

Mastering Mary Berry’s shortcrust pastry apple pie is a rewarding journey, rooted deep in British baking tradition. It shows anyone, novice or experienced, can make an amazing pie by following this article’s steps. The mix of flavours, skills learned, and sharing the pie makes it perfect for any event.

Mary Berry’s recipes are known for being easy to follow and adjust. With over 250 apple pie variations, everyone can find one to love. You can pick from traditional to innovative recipes, each promising a unique taste adventure.

Imagine enjoying a slice of warm apple pie, maybe with ice cream or clotted cream. It’s the epitome of comfort. Mary Berry’s pie is great for any celebration or just a cosy night in. And remember, baking is about trying new things, so feel free to get creative!