Traditional Irish Apple Pie

Right around this time every year, I love to celebrate my heritage with an authentic Irish dish. I think it’s such a great way to learn about the culture, and to try something new and different. Last year, it was Irish Apple Cake. This year, I’m marking St. Patrick’s Day with this delicious Irish Apple Pie!

I discovered this unique recipe while researching Irish cuisine, and the minute I saw it, it spoke to me. It’s home-y and old fashioned, yet so pretty and delicious! According to this article on HGTV, the apple tree has been an important source of food in Ireland for thousands of years (and most people think it was all about potatoes!). Apple trees are one of the few that grow well in the difficult Irish climate, and while crabapples are the only native apple to the country, other varieties have been cultivated for centuries. Desserts like cakes, stewed apples and tarts remain popular in Irish cuisine, and apples have long been used as food and in the production of alcohol in Ireland.

Apple Amber Pie is little more than grated apples cooked down into a sweet, silky puree and topped with meringue but it all begins with a pie crust. You can use store bought, or use my favorite recipe for homemade pie crust from scratch. Just roll it out to a little larger than your pie dish, trim off the excess, crimp the edge, and give it a head start in the oven.

Fill it with a sweet apple filling that’s made with Granny Smith apples, egg yolks, sugar, and lemon juice. Once it’s baked and cooled you can top it with an airy toasted meringue. I think you’ll love the combination of buttery pastry, sweet apples, and light-as-a-cloud meringue.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!