‘Heartwarming’ perfectly describes this Ambrosia Apple Pie… with the intoxicating aroma of baked apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar, it is sure to transport you to a cozy and happy place!
The final result will be a perfectly tender and flaky crust encasing a warm, filling bursting with the sweet and slightly tart flavour of the Ambrosia apples. This variety of apples hold their shape and will cook down to a slightly firmer texture leaving you with beautifully sliced apples in every bite.
Serve the pie warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of cream, for a truly indulgent dessert experience.
Tip: When cutting apple slices, try to slice them as uniformly as possible so that they will cook at the same rate and texture. I like to cut slices about ¼ inch thick.
Ingredients
Shortcrust Pastry
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Ice water
Pie Filling
- Ambrosia apples
- Lemon juice
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Salt
- Rolled oats
- Egg
- Sugar and cinnamon, for sprinkling
INSTRUCTIONS
How to make a shortcrust pastry
In a food processor, combine the flour and salt. Add the butter and pulse for a few seconds at a time until the butter is the size of peas. Next, Add the water and pulse again until the dough just begins to form. Add water as needed. (Too little water will cause a crumbly texture making it difficult to roll out a sheet of pastry without cracks)
Remove the dough from the food processor and form two discs.
Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes.
Roll out the dough on a floured work surface ⅛-inch-thick sheet.
Pie Preparation
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
In a large bowl toss the sliced apples with the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg & salt to blend, then mix in the lemon juice and set aside.
Dust a 9-inch pie plate with flour and line the plate with the rolled-out pastry. Sprinkle the bottom of the shell with the oats (this will help absorb any excess juices). Spoon the apple filling into the shell. If using a full crust, place the second rolled-out pastry over the apples. Trim any excess dough and pinch the edges of the crust together to create a fluted edge. Brush the pastry with the egg wash. Stir a little sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle generously on top. Use scissors to snip openings in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
Optional – use pie dough cutters to create fun shapes and adorn the pie in a creative manner unique to you! Then brush with the egg wash and sprinkle with sugar/cinnamon mixture.
Bake
Place the pie on a parchment-lined baking tray and bake for 10 minutes at 400°F. Reduce the oven temperature to 375 °F and continue to bake for another 45 to 60 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
Serve and Enjoy
Cool the pie for at least 2 hours before slicing to serve. Serve the pie at room temperature, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of cream, for a truly indulgent dessert experience. Enjoy!
Optional – use pie dough cutters to create fun shapes and adorn the pie in a creative manner unique to you! Then brush with the egg wash and sprinkle with sugar/cinnamon mixture.
This recipe was created in partnership with Ontario Apples. Opinions in this post are always my own.
Ontario Ambrosia apples are available at fine grocery retailers.
Tried this recipe?
If you get the chance to try this recipe, please drop back and leave us a comment and rating. We would love to know what you think.
Cheers! James & Elaine
📖 Recipe
Ambrosia Apple Pie
Ingredients
Shortcrust Pastry
- 2 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup cold unsalted butter cubed
- 8 tablespoons ice water approximately
Pie Filling
- 12 cups peeled & sliced Ambrosia apples about 9 apples – sliced ¼-inch thick
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon rolled oats
- 1 egg mixed with 2 tablespoons of water for brushing
- sugar and cinnamon for sprinkling
Instructions
Pastry Preparation:
- In a food processor, combine the flour and salt. Add the butter and pulse for a few seconds at a time until the butter is the size of peas. Add the water and pulse again until the dough just begins to form. Add water as needed. (Too little water will cause a crumbly texture making it difficult to roll out a sheet of pastry without cracks)
- Remove the dough from the food processor and form two discs.
- Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes.
- Roll out the dough on a floured work surface ⅛-inch-thick sheet.
Pie Preparation:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- In a large bowl toss the sliced apples with the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg & salt to blend, then mix in the lemon juice and set aside.
- Dust a 9-inch pie plate with flour and line the plate with the rolled-out pastry. Sprinkle the bottom of the shell with the oats (this will help absorb any excess juices). Spoon the apple filling into the shell. If using a full crust, place the second rolled-out pastry over the apples. Trim any excess dough and pinch the edges of the crust together to create a fluted edge. Brush the pastry with the egg wash. Stir a little sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle generously on top. Use scissors to snip openings in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
- Optional – use pie dough cutters to create fun shapes and adorn the pie in a creative manner unique to you! Then brush with the egg wash and sprinkle with sugar/cinnamon mixture.
Bake the Pie
- Place the pie on a parchment-lined baking tray and bake for 10 minutes at 400°F. Reduce the oven temperature to 375 °F and continue to bake for another 45 to 60 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
Serve
- Cool the pie for at least 2 hours before slicing to serve. Serve the pie at room temperature, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of cream, for a truly indulgent dessert experience. Enjoy!
The flavor was good but the majority apples were still crunchy, not soft. That was after baking for 65 minutes. I prefer an apple that cooks down more. I usually use McIntosh when I can find them.
Hi Brenda,
Happy New Year!
Preferences are all very different. We like the texture of Ambrosia apples because they are slightly firm and hold their shape. Yes, McIntosh apples are definitely the way to go if you prefer a soft filling.
Have a wonderful night!
Elaine & James
Lovely recipe! This was the first dessert I tried baking by myself and the pie turned out great. The strong flavor of the apple filling definitely tones down after baking. My family liked how the apples retained their firmness and crunchiness, so this was perfect for us.
Hello Katelyn,
Thank you so much for your lovely comment! We’re thrilled that your first solo baking experience was a success with this pie. It’s great to hear that the balance of flavour and texture worked perfectly for your family! Happy baking, and we hope this is just the first of many delicious desserts you’ll create!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Elaine & James