Baked Apple Pie Fries with Salted Caramel Dipping Sauce

Method12 steps

1. 1

   Step 1: Blend the canned apple pie filling (1¼ cups), filling sugar (3 tbsp) if needed, and cinnamon (¼ tsp) in a food processor until smooth.

   Uses 1¼ cups canned apple pie filling · 3 tbsp sugar for the filling · ¼ tsp ground cinnamon

   
2. 2

   Step 2: Beat the egg (1) in a small bowl for brushing the pastry.

   Uses 1 egg for brushing the pastry

3. 3

   Step 3: Working quickly to keep the pastry frozen, put one sheet on a flat board and spread the smooth apple filling over it, leaving a thin border. Cover with the second sheet. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle the optional topping sugar (2 tbsp) over it. Discard unused egg wash. Freeze the assembled pastry for at least 1 hour, until the filling is firm.

   Freeze the filled pastry · 60 minUses 2 frozen shortcrust pastry sheets, each 25 cm / 10 inches square · Smooth apple filling · Egg wash for brushing · 2 tbsp sugar granules, optional for sprinkling

4. 4

   Step 4: Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F and lightly coat one large baking tray or two smaller trays with oil spray.

   Uses Oil spray, enough to coat the baking tray

5. 5

   Step 5: Take the assembled pastry out of the freezer and leave it for about 5–10 minutes, checking from 5 minutes, until the pastry is just flexible enough to cut without cracking. Keep the apple filling frozen.

   Soften pastry for cutting · 5 minUses Frozen apple-filled pastry sandwich

6. 6

   Step 6: Cut the pastry sandwich into 12 strips in one direction, about 2 cm / ⅘ inch wide, then cut across into three sections, about 8 cm / 3 inches long, to make 36 fries.

   Uses Pastry sandwich softened for cutting

7. 7

   Step 7: Carefully space all 36 fries on the prepared baking tray. Let them approach room temperature while the oven finishes heating.

   Uses Thirty-six cut apple-pie fries · Prepared oiled baking tray

   
8. 8

   Step 8: Bake for about 15–25 minutes, checking from 15 minutes, until the pastry is cooked and golden brown on top. The time depends on the pastry brand and how cold the fries were. Prepare the caramel sauce while they bake if convenient.

   Bake the apple-pie fries · 15 minUses Tray of unbaked apple-pie fries

9. 9

   Step 9: Leave the baked fries on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack.

   Rest baked fries on the tray · 5 minUses Baked apple-pie fries

10. 10

    Step 10: For the caramel, put the separate 1 cup caster sugar and ⅓ cup water in a small saucepan over high heat. Swirl to help the sugar dissolve without stirring. Once rapidly simmering, cook for about 3–4 minutes, until light golden brown.

    Cook the caramel to light gold · 4 minUses 1 cup caster sugar for the caramel · ⅓ cup water

11. 11

    Step 11: Take the caramel off the heat. Slowly and carefully pour in the heavy cream (½ cup), keeping clear of the bubbling and froth, and whisk to combine. Whisk in the salt (¼ tsp) and unsalted butter (1 tbsp) until smooth.

    Uses Light golden caramel · ½ cup heavy cream, not whipped · ¼ tsp salt · 1 tbsp unsalted butter

12. 12

    Step 12: Serve the 36 apple-pie fries with the salted caramel sauce for dipping, using as much sauce as desired. Refrigerate leftover sauce.

    Uses Apple-pie fries on the cooling rack · Salted caramel sauce to taste