Tastiest Apple Pie: Lotus Biscuit and Apple Custard Delight Recipe

Cuisine: Ricette DolciDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Total time

hour

minutes

Apple pie, a dessert that promises to tantalize your taste buds and become a staple in your baking collection. This pie isn’t just a dessert; it’s a celebration of flavors and textures, perfect for any occasion or a cozy evening at home.

Ingredients

(20-22 cm mould)
250 g Lotus biscuits
100 g butter (1/2 cup)
40 g of milk (2 1/2 tablespoons)
For the cream :
400 ml milk (1 + 2/3 cup)
1 yolk
8 g vanilla sugar or vanillin (1 tablespoon)
40 g sugar (2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons)
4 tablespoons corn starch (50 g)
200 ml whipping cream, already sweetened (3/4 cup)
2 apples
butter
2 tablespoons sugar
Put the cake in the fridge for 2-3 hours

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Take the Lotus cookies and finely grind them. Add 40 ml of milk and 100 g of melted butter to the ground cookies and mix well until you obtain a homogeneous mixture.
Divide the mixture in half. Pour half of the cookie mixture into a 22 cm mold and press it firmly onto the bottom with a spoon to form a compact base.
In a pan, heat it gently and grease it with some butter. Add thinly sliced apples and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples become soft.
In a saucepan, pour 400 ml of milk. Add 40 g of sugar, 8 g of vanilla sugar or vanilla extract, 1 egg yolk, and 4 tablespoons of cornstarch. Mix well and place it on the heat. Continue stirring until the custard thickens and reaches a creamy consistency. Add the whipped cream and mix well.
Add the cooked apples to the custard prepared in step 3 and mix well. Pour this mixture over the cookie base in the mold, and pour the remaining half of the cookies over the custard, covering it completely.
Allow the cake to cool in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours or until it is well set. Once cooled, your cake is ready to be enjoyed!

Recipe Video

Discover how to make these Tastiest Apple Pie step-by-step with our recipe video. Click the link for guided instructions!

Ingredient Breakdown

For the Crust:

Lotus Biscuits: These biscuits provide a unique, sweetly spiced base for our pie.
Butter: Melted butter binds the biscuit crumbs, offering richness and a perfect crust texture.
Milk: A splash of milk helps to moisten and unify the crust mixture.

the Cream:

Milk: Forms the base of our luscious cream.
Egg Yolk: Adds richness and helps in thickening the cream.
Vanilla Sugar or Vanillin: It infuses the cream with a sweet, aromatic vanilla flavor.
Sugar: It provides sweetness and balance to the dish.
Corn Starch: A thickening agent to achieve the perfect cream consistency.
Sweetened Whipping Cream: It adds lightness and a creamy texture.

For the Apple Topping:

Apples: The star of the pie, offering natural sweetness and a delightful texture.
Butter: It is used for cooking the apples, enhancing their flavor.
Sugar: It caramelizes the apples, adding depth and richness.

Expert Tips

Butter Temperature: Use butter that is just melted but not too hot. Overheated butter can make the biscuit base greasy.
Apple Variety: Experiment with different apple varieties for nuanced flavors. Granny Smith apples offer a tart contrast, while Honeycrisp or Gala apples provide a sweeter note.
Cream Texture: For a smoother cream filling, strain the mixture through a fine sieve to remove any lumps.
Biscuit Layering: Press the biscuit mixture gently into the mould. A firm press can make the base too hard, while a light press might not hold it together.
Balancing Sweetness: Adjust the sugar in the apple topping according to the sweetness of the apples and your personal preference for the Tastiest Apple Pie.
Chilling Time: If time allows, an overnight chill can help the flavors meld together more harmoniously.
Serving Temperature: Serve the pie slightly chilled or at room temperature to best enjoy the flavors and textures.

Variations

Caramel Apple Pie: Drizzle homemade or store-bought caramel sauce over the apple layer for a rich, gooey twist.
Rustic Charm: For a more traditional pie, replace the Lotus biscuit base with a classic short crust pastry.
Seasonal Spices: Incorporate spices like cinnamon, allspice, and ginger into the apple mixture for a warm, autumnal flavor.
Citrus Zest: Add lemon or orange zest to the cream mixture for a refreshing citrus note.
Berry Fusion: Mix in fresh or frozen berries like raspberries or blackberries with the apples for a fruity burst.
Nutty Topping: Sprinkle a mixture of toasted, chopped nuts (such as pecans or almonds) on top for added texture and nutty flavor.
Mocha Twist: Add a teaspoon of instant coffee or espresso powder to the cream mixture for a subtle coffee flavor.
Cheese Cream Layer: Blend a small amount of mascarpone or cream cheese into the whipped cream for a richer, tangier cream layer.

Storage

Store the apple pie in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days, making it a perfect make-ahead dessert for any gathering or a sweet treat for the family.