Easy Apple Pie in a Crispy Shortcrust Pastry

• wheat flour↗225 g
• butter↗140 g

  or margarine

• large baking apples↗3
• honey↗2 tbsp
• ground cinnamon↗дрібка
• aromatic pepper↗дрібка
• egg↗1

  beaten

• crème fraîche↗

  vanilla ice cream or natural yogurt, for serving

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 200 °C (180 °C with fan) or set gas mark 6. Sift flour into a large bowl, add butter or margarine and rub quickly with fingertips until the mixture becomes crumbly.

2. 2

   Gradually add cold water (1 tbsp at a time, about 3 tbsp total) and knead the dough into a smooth ball. Wrap it in cling film and chill in the refrigerator while you prepare the apples, or leave at least 30 min.

3. 3

   While the dough chills, core the apples and slice them into even wedges. Place the apples in a pie tin, drizzle with honey, sprinkle with a pinch of cinnamon, a pinch of aromatic pepper and add about 2 tbsp water.

4. 4

   Roll out the dough on a flour‑dusted surface until large enough to cover the tin. Carefully lift the sheet with a rolling pin and cover the apple filling. Trim excess dough (it can be used for decorations) and press the edges together forming a tight seam.

5. 5

   Make a few small slits in the centre so steam can escape during baking, and brush the surface with beaten egg for shine.

6. 6

   Bake the pie in the oven 20–30 min until the crust turns golden and the apple filling bubbles and heats through. Serve hot with crème‑fresh, vanilla ice‑cream or natural yoghurt.