Delicate Apple Pie: A Melt-in-Your-Mouth Delight

Delicate Apple Pie: A Melt-in-Your-Mouth Delight

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• • 240g (1.5 cups) flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder

• • 8g (1 tsp) vanilla sugar
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 30g (2 tbsp) sugar

• 70g (1/3 cup) softened butter
• 100g (1/2 cup) sour cream

For the Apples:

• • 3 apples, peeled and sliced

• 50g (1/4 cup) sugar
• 35g (1.5 tbsp) butter

For the Cheese Mass:

• • 360g (1.5 cups) cream cheese

• • 150g (3/4 cup) sugar
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 30g (3 tbsp) cornstarch

For the Meringue:

• • 5 egg whites
  • 100g (1/2 cup) sugar
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice

• 30g flaked almonds

Instructions

Prepare the Dough:

1. 1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F).
   2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and vanilla sugar.

1. 1. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat together the egg yolks, sugar, softened butter, and sour cream until smooth.
   2. Form the Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
   3. Prepare the Pan: Cover a 24cm baking pan with baking paper.

1. Press the Dough: Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Set aside.

Prepare the Apples:

1. 1. Cook the Apples: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sliced apples and sugar, and cook until the apples are tender and caramelized, about 5-7 minutes.
   2. Arrange the Apples: Spread the caramelized apples evenly over the dough in the baking pan.

Prepare the Cheese Mass:

1. Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the sugar, egg yolks, and cornstarch, and continue to beat until well combined.
2. Add to Pie: Pour the cheese mixture over the apples in the baking pan, spreading it out evenly.

Bake the Pie:

1. 1. First Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, or until the cheese mass is set and slightly golden.

Prepare the Meringue:

1. 1. Beat Egg Whites: In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form.
   2. Add Sugar and Lemon Juice: Gradually add the sugar and lemon juice, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form.
   3. Spread Meringue: Spread the meringue over the baked cheese layer, and sprinkle with flaked almonds.

Final Bake:

1. Second Bake: Return the pie to the oven and bake at 180°C (356°F) for another 20 minutes, or until the meringue is golden and crisp.