French Apple Pie with Cream Cheese Topping

 

French Apple Pie with Cream Cheese Topping: A Match Made in Dessert Heaven

This recipe combines the rustic charm of a French apple pie with the decadent richness of a cream cheese topping, creating an irresistible dessert that's sure to impress.

Ingredients:

For the Pie Crust: (You can also use a pre-made refrigerated pie crust for convenience)

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 3-4 tablespoons ice water

For the Apple Filling:

• 2 pounds (about 6-7) apples (tart varieties like Granny Smith or Braeburn work well)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

For the Cream Cheese Topping:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pie Crust (if making your own):

* In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
* Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, cut the cold butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining.
* Gradually add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with a fork until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix.
* Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

2. Preheat the Oven:

* Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

3. Prepare the Apple Filling:

* Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. 
* In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and lemon juice. Toss to coat the apples evenly.

4. Assemble the Pie:

* On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled pie dough to a circle slightly larger than a 9-inch pie dish. 
* Carefully transfer the dough to the pie dish and trim the edges.
* Pour the apple filling into the prepared pie crust.

5. Make the Cream Cheese Topping:

* In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.
* Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.

6. Top the Pie:

* Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the apple filling.

7. Bake:

* Bake the pie for 50-60 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. 
* If the edges of the crust start to brown too quickly, you can cover them with foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.

8. Cool and Serve:

* Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving. You can enjoy it warm or at room temperature. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra decadent treat!

Tips:

• For a decorative touch, you can sprinkle the top of the pie with coarse sugar before baking.
• If your apples are very juicy, you can use a bit more cornstarch (up to 1/3 cup) in the filling to help thicken it.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Enjoy this delicious French Apple Pie with Cream Cheese Topping! It's a delightful combination of textures and flavors that will surely become a new favorite dessert.