Creamy custard apple pie with almond & amaretto

THE RECIPE

Creamy custard apple pie with almond & amaretto

A soft apple pie baked in a silky, vanilla-like egg custard. Almond adds body, while a splash of amaretto brings out the flavour of ripe apples.

Method

1. 1
   Make the shell

   Work the pastry together, chill for 30 minutes and line a 24 cm tin. Blind-bake for 12 minutes.

2. 2
   Add the apples

   Slice the apples and arrange them tightly in the blind-baked shell.

3. 3
   Whisk the custard

   Lightly whisk the eggs, cream, sugar and starch. Distribute solid flavourings among the apples and stir the rest into the custard: 50 g ground almonds, 2 tbsp amaretto and half the flaked almonds; use almond extract for an alcohol-free version.

4. 4
   Fill

   Slowly pour the custard over the apples, allowing it to flow between the slices.

5. 5
   Bake

   Bake until the centre is just set but still has a slight wobble. Cool completely before slicing.