Are you craving a warm, comforting apple pie but hesitant about the sugar content? This recipe delivers all the deliciousness of a traditional apple pie with a healthier twist, using stevia as a natural sweetener. It’s a perfect blend of homemade cooking and easy recipes, ideal for a quick dinner dessert or a special occasion treat. Get ready to bake up a delightful and guilt-free dessert! This recipe is perfect for those seeking healthy meals without compromising on taste.
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- ½ cup ice water
- 1 tbsp stevia (adjust to your sweetness preference)
For the Filling:
- 6 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and sliced
- ½ cup stevia (adjust to your sweetness preference)
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
Instructions:
Making the Crust:
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and stevia.
- Cut in butter: Add the chilled butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add water: Gradually add ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together. Don't overmix.
- Chill the dough: Form the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This makes rolling much easier.
Preparing the Filling:
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, gently toss the sliced apples with stevia, lemon juice, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Assembling and Baking the Pie:
- Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer it to a 9-inch pie plate.
- Add the filling: Pour the apple filling into the pie crust.
- Top the pie: Roll out the second disc of dough and either place it over the filling or cut it into strips for a lattice top. Crimp the edges to seal.
- Cut vents: Cut a few slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
- Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 45-55 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If the crust starts browning too quickly, cover the edges with foil.
- Cool: Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving. This allows the filling to set.
Tips for the Best Apple Pie:
- Use a mix of apples: Combining different apple varieties provides a delightful blend of sweetness and tartness.
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing develops the gluten, resulting in a tough crust.
- Blind bake (optional): For a crispier bottom crust, pre-bake the crust for 15 minutes before adding the filling.
- Adjust sweetness: Stevia's sweetness varies, so adjust the amount to your liking. Start with less and add more as needed.
Variations:
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of ginger or cardamom to the filling for an extra layer of flavor.
- Add nuts: Toasted pecans or walnuts add a delightful crunch.
- Use different sweeteners: While stevia is used here, you can experiment with other natural sweeteners like erythritol or monk fruit.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
This information is an estimate and will vary based on the specific ingredients used.
- Calories: Approximately 250-300
- Fat: 12-15g
- Carbohydrates: 30-35g
- Sugar: 10-15g (significantly lower than traditional apple pie)
- Protein: 3-4g
This apple pie with stevia recipe provides a healthy and delicious alternative to traditional apple pie, making it a perfect choice for those seeking easy recipes and delicious dishes. Enjoy this homemade treat!