German Apple Pie Recipe (Gedeckter Apfelkuchen)

Method8 steps · about 4 hr 20 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Preheat a conventional oven to 200°C /390°F. Grease a 23 cm /9 inch springform with the separate extra butter; optionally line its base with parchment. Knead the 300 g dough flour, 80 g almond flour, 2 medium eggs, ½ tsp salt, 150 g dough sugar and 175 g room-temperature dough butter into a smooth cookie-like dough.

   Uses 300 grams flour (plus more for rolling out the dough) · 80 grams almond flour · 2 eggs (medium) · 1/2 teaspoon salt · 150 grams sugar · 175 g room-temperature butter for dough · Extra butter as needed for greasing the springform

2. 2

   Step 2: Reserve ⅓ of the dough for the lid. Roll the other ⅔ on a lightly floured surface into a circle and line the base and sides of the springform to about 5 cm /2 inches high. Prick the base with a fork. Refrigerate the lined crust and reserved dough while preparing the filling.

   Uses apple-cake shortcrust dough · Extra flour as needed for rolling the crust

3. 3

   Step 3: Peel and core the 1 kg tart apples, then cut into wedges about 6 mm /¼ inch thick. Toss with the juice of the ½ lemon for the filling; reserve the separate 3 tbsp lemon juice for the glaze.

   Uses 1 kg tart apples, peeled and cored · 1/2 lemon (juice only)

4. 4

   Step 4: Toast the 50 g chosen sliced almonds OR almond flour in a dry pan over medium heat, stirring to prevent burning. Toss with the prepared apple wedges, 50 g filling sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon and 1 tsp filling flour. If using, add the optional shot of spiced rum (1) and/or ¼ cup raisins. Spread the filling into the chilled lower crust.

   Uses lemon-tossed apple wedges · chilled lower crust · 50 grams sugar · 50 g sliced almonds OR almond flour for filling · 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon · 1 teaspoon flour · 1 shot spiced rum for filling, optional; shot volume unspecified · ¼ cup raisins for filling, optional

5. 5

   Step 5: Press the apples to make a reasonably level surface. Roll out the reserved ⅓ dough on a lightly floured surface into a lid, lay it over the filling, trim at the rim and press the edges down. If using trimmed dough for decoration, bake those shapes before serving.

   Uses apple-filled lower crust · reserved top-crust dough · Extra flour as needed for rolling the crust

6. 6

   Step 6: Bake for about 50 minutes until the crust is baked and golden. Leave in the springform to cool completely, about 2–3 hours, before removing and glazing.

   Bake apple pie · 50 minUses covered apple cake ready to bake

7. 7

   Step 7: Remove the cooled cake from the springform and transfer to a plate. Mix the 150 g powdered sugar with the separate 3 tbsp lemon juice and brush the glaze over the baked top crust.

   Uses completely cooled covered apple cake · 150 grams powdered sugar · 3 Tablespoons lemon juice

8. 8

   Step 8: Optionally garnish with extra toasted sliced almonds and any separately baked crust decorations. Cut into 12 slices.

   Uses lemon-glazed apple cake · Extra toasted sliced almonds for garnish, optional