Bouchon’s Apple Pie . . .

 

Classic apple pie gets an upgrade at Las Vegas' Bouchon Bakery, where pastry chef Scott Wheatfill tops a sweet crust with housemade apple butter and almond cream. The result is a delicate, refined tart with a creamy interior and a concentrated spice flavor.  This article first appeared in our November 2014 issue of Saveur with the story Holiday for the Heroes.

 

 

Ingredients:

For the filling:

5 tbsp. confectioners' sugar

5 tbsp. unsalted butter

1⁄2 tsp. vanilla extract

1⁄4 tsp. almond extract

1⁄4 tsp. dark rum

1 egg

5 tbsp. almond flour

2 tbsp. all-purpose flour

1 3⁄4 cups granulated sugar

1⁄2 cup unsweetened apple cider

3 tbsp. unsalted butter

4 large semisweet apples, such as Fuji, cored, and cut into 8 wedges each

 

For the topping and baking:

1⁄3 cup all-purpose flour

1⁄3 cup almond flour

5 tbsp. granulated sugar

4 tbsp. unsalted butter, cubed and chilled

1⁄2 tsp. kosher salt

Bouchon's Pâte Sucrée

1⁄2 cup Bouchon's Apple Butter, or substitute store-bought

Confectioners' sugar and ground cinnamon, for dusting

 

Instructions:

Step 1:  Make the almond cream: Using the stand mixer with a clean bowl and paddle, cream confectioners' sugar and 2 tbsp. butter until fluffy, 1–2 minutes. Add extracts, rum, and egg; mix until combined. With the motor running, slowly add flours until cream is smooth. Cover bowl with plastic wrap; chill until ready to use.

 

Step 2:  Make the caramelized apples: Heat granulated sugar in a 12" nonstick skillet over medium-high; cook, without stirring, until sugar is melted and light amber in color, 8–10 minutes. Carefully stir in cider and ½ cup water (mixture will bubble up); pour caramel into a bowl and set aside. Wipe skillet clean and melt 3 tbsp. butter over high heat. Cook apples until golden, 8–10 minutes. Add reserved caramel; cook until apples are just softened, 10–12 minutes. Let apples cool, then drain; discard caramel.

 

Step 3:  Make the topping: Pulse flours, sugar, butter, and salt in a food processor until mixture resembles fine sand; set aside.

 

Step 4:  Assemble and bake the pie: Heat oven to 325°. On a lightly floured surface, roll Bouchon's Pâte Sucrée into a 15" circle, about ⅙" thick. Fit into a 9" tart pan with a removable bottom; trim edges. Using a fork, prick the dough all over. Line dough with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans; bake until golden, 25–30 minutes. Remove paper and weights and let cool.

 

Step 5:  Spread reserved almond cream over dough; arrange caramelized apples over top. Spoon Bouchon's Apple Butter over apples. Sprinkle the reserved topping over entire surface of pie; bake until topping is golden, about 45 minutes. Let pie cool completely. Dust with confectioners' sugar and cinnamon before serving.