Swedish Apple Pie

This past weekend I made some time for a fall activity I particularly enjoy–apple picking. Many of the nearby orchards offer “pick-your-own” and it’s become somewhat of a tradition. There’s something so satisfying about going into the orchard, and plucking those rosy, beautiful apples right off the tree and into your basket. My problem is that I don’t seem to know when to stop. I plan to pick a few, primarily for eating, ( lunches, ect.), and to bake a pie, or other dessert, but somehow when I get home I have way more than I planned on. Fortunately my unheated sunroom turns into “cold storage” room during cold weather, so apples keep quite well out there.

Apple Pie is always on the agenda of what to make with the apples. But this recipe, though called Apple Pie, is out of the ordinary in that there is no bottom crust, and what looks like a crust on top is more like a big sugar cookie. This recipe is one that I tend to forget about until something reminds me of it. It originally came to my attention when it was included in a cookbook put together by the ladies of my church several years ago. I really don’t know its history, or why its called “Swedish Apple Pie”, but being half Swedish myself I decided to claim it, make it and share it with you. If anyone out there knows its history please let me know.

Any firm, tart apple can be used, so that the acidity stands up to the rich batter. The orchard I visited had Macouns and Cortlands available for picking, and I got some of each. I used three Cortlands for this pie, but I really don’t think it matters what kind of apple you use. You really can’t go wrong with apple pie.

Swedish Apple Pie is very easy to make. Basically you slice the apples into a pie dish, sprinkle them with a sugar-cinnamon mixture, mix up the batter and spread it over the apples. Bake till nice and brown. The crust is very much like a sweet, chewy cookie, somewhat like an apple crisp, but not quite. Start to finish it takes about an hour to make, and soon after that you’ll be spooning up a warm apple dessert that is particularly good served with a wedge of sharp cheddar cheese, another New England tradition not to miss. It is also very nice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

SWEDISH APPLE PIE

Servings: 6 – 8

Ingredients:

3 large, or 4 medium firm-tart apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 Tablespoon plus 1 cup flour
2 Tablespoons plus 2/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
10 Tablespoons butter, melted
1 large egg, slightly beaten

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350*F. Grease a 9 – inch pie plate.

2. Place the sliced apples into the pie plate, arranging them to fit. The pie plate will be nearly full.

3. In a small bowl, mix together the 1 Tbsp. flour, 2 Tbsp. sugar, and 1 tsp. cinnamon. Sprinkle over the apples.

Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar over the apples in a pie dish.

4. In a large bowl, whisk together the 1 cup flour, 2/3 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the beaten egg, and melted butter. Stir just to mix well. Spoon over the apples and spread to cover as well as possible. I just “plop” it all over the top, and then with a spatula spread it out as much as possible. It may not cover completely.