Bramley Apple Dessert Food

THE BEST APPLE CRUMBLE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 190C/170 fan/gas 5.
• Toss 575g peeled, cored and sliced Bramley apples with 2 tbsp golden caster sugar and put in a 23cm round baking dish at least 5cm deep, or a 20cm square dish. Flatten down with your hand to prevent too much crumble falling through.
• Put 175g plain flour and 110g golden caster sugar in a bowl with a good pinch of salt.
• Slice in 110g cold butter and rub it in with your fingertips until the mixture looks like moist breadcrumbs. Shake the bowl and any big bits will come to the surface - rub them in. Alternatively, pulse in a processor until sandy (don't over-process).
• Pour the crumb mix over the apples to form a pile in the centre, then use a fork to even out.
• Gently press the surface with the back of the fork so the crumble holds together and goes crisp, then lightly drag the fork over the top for a decorative finish.
• Sprinkle 1 tbsp rolled oats and 1 tbsp demerara sugar over evenly, if you wish.
• Set on a baking tray and put in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, until the top is golden and the apples feel very soft when you insert a small, sharp knife. Leave to cool for 10 minutes before serving.

DEEP-FILLED BRAMLEY APPLE PIE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Tip the sultanas into a bowl with the brandy, microwave on high until warm and plump, then set aside. If the pastry is in two blocks, squish it together, then cut off a third and set aside. Roll out the rest of the pastry into a large circle, about the thickness of a £1 coin. Use it to line a 23cm shallow springform cake tin, making sure that it overhangs the rim all the way round. place in the fridge.
• Tip the apples into the bowl with the sultanas, all but 2 tbsp of the sugar and the spices. Toss everything well to coat the apple. Roll out the rest of the pastry, then cut into a circle, using the base of the tin as a guide. Using your fingers, arrange the apple slices in the cake tin. Cover the apples with the circle of pastry and tuck down the sides. Brush the lid with egg, then fold back and pinch the overhang to seal. Brush the top generously with egg, then pierce 2 slits in the top and scatter on the remaining sugar.
• Bake for 30-35 mins until golden. Leave to cool in its tin for a good hour, until the bottom is cool enough to touch. Run a knife around the pie's edge, then open the side of the tin and remove the pie. Serve sliced with ice cream or clotted cream.

PUFF PASTRY APPLE PIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200C/180 Fan/Gas 6.
• Heat the apples, 50g/2oz of the caster sugar, the butter and 3 tablespoons of water in a saucepan over a medium heat. Bring the mixture to the boil, stirring well, then cover and reduce the heat until the mixture is simmering. Continue to simmer for 3-5 minutes, or until the apple has softened.
• Remove the lid and stir well, then cook for a further 2-3 minutes, or until the apple has completely broken down to a purée. Taste the purée and stir in more sugar as needed, then remove the purée from the heat and set aside to cool.
• Place one sheet of puff pastry onto a baking tray lightly greased with butter. Lay the slices of marzipan on top of the pastry to cover, leaving a border of 2cm/1in all the way around.
• Spread the cooled apple purée over the layer of marzipan, then brush the pastry border with a little of the beaten egg.
• Fold the second sheet of puff pastry in half lengthways, then carefully score the pastry from the folded side towards the cut side at 1cm/½in intervals down the length of the pastry, leaving 2cm/1in intact at the cut side of the pastry.
• Unfold the scored pastry and lay it exactly on top of the apple-covered pastry, then crimp the edges to seal the two sheets of pastry using your fingers.
• Trim the edges of the pastry and brush the top of the Bramley apple slice all over with the remaining beaten egg. Sprinkle the top with demerara sugar, then bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the pastry has risen and is crisp and golden-brown.
• Allow to cool slightly before serving, serve with the clotted cream.