Surprise Your Guests This Holiday Season with Le Gruyère AOP Apple Pie
As the holiday season approaches, the spirit of tradition and togetherness fills the air, and for many, this means gathering around the dining table with loved ones. If you’re looking to impress your guests with a unique treat, consider making an apple pie that defies expectations by incorporating Le Gruyère AOP, a delightful Swiss cheese that adds a surprising twist to this classic dessert.
Pipsa Hurmerinta, a renowned food creator, recommends preparing the apple pie a day in advance to achieve the ideal consistency and flavor. "The pie is much easier to make than it looks," she says. Allowing the apples to settle overnight means that the crust, once baked, will be easier to cut when served.
Pipsa’s luxurious apple pie features a perfect blend of sweet, juicy apples combined with the distinct nutty flavor of Le Gruyère AOP. The best part? The delightful secret ingredient will leave your guests guessing as to its identity. Pipsa chuckles, "I like to keep the secret behind the good taste to myself and let the guests guess the secret ingredient. No one has guessed right so far, but this recipe might change that!"
While cheese is typically thought of as a savory ingredient, Pipsa insists that Le Gruyère AOP works splendidly in desserts as well. "YES, Le Gruyère AOP goes with everything!" she exclaims.
Le Gruyère AOP Apple Pie Recipe
Let this luxurious apple pie become a part of your holiday traditions. With Pipsa's tips and the secret ingredient, you're sure to create a dessert that turns into the talk of the table.
Pie Dough Ingredients:
- 3 dl all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 dl grated Le Gruyère AOP
- 80 g cold butter
- 3 tbsp cold water
Filling Ingredients:
- 1.8 kg apples
- 2 dl granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 lightly beaten egg for brushing
- 20 g butter for the pie dish
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar for garnish
Instructions:
- Prepare the Pie Dough: In a bowl, mix the dry ingredients. Add cold butter in pieces and rub it together with your fingers to form a crumbly texture. Gradually add in cold water until the dough is smooth. Form into two rounds, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least an hour.
- Prepare the Filling: Peel, core, and slice the apples. In a bowl, combine them with sugar, spices, and cornstarch.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 190 °C (375 °F) and grease a 25 cm pie dish.
- Assemble the Pie: Roll out the dough rounds on a floured surface to fit the pie dish. Press one round into the dish, fill with the apple mixture, cover with the second round, and crimp the edges to seal. Cut small slits in the top crust for steam to escape. Brush with egg and sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake: Bake for about 45 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool before serving.
- Serve: Enjoy your apple pie warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Did You Know?
Le Gruyère AOP is a Swiss cheese with a rich, nutty flavor, made from unpasteurized cow's milk and aged for at least five months. Unlike many other Swiss cheeses, it has no holes, which is attributed to the pressing process during production. Its melting properties make it perfect for cheese boards, fondue, casseroles, and yes, even desserts!
This holiday season, elevate your dessert game and capture the hearts (and taste buds) of your guests with Pipsa's extraordinary apple pie featuring Le Gruyère AOP.
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