Originally published in March 2018; updated October 2022.
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, I was all about the Irish Apple Cake. This year, I’m tackling this Traditional Irish Apple Pie (also known as Apple Amber 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!
Apples In Ireland
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 including: Ard Cairn Russet, Lady’s Finger of Offaly, and Kerry Pippin.
Uses of Apples in Ireland:
- Cakes,
- Stewed apples
- Tarts/desserts
- Alcohol production
Baking a Traditional Irish Apple Pie
Apple Amber Pie is little more than grated apples cooked down into a sweet, silky puree and topped with meringue. It all begins with a good 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. The recipe below calls for Granny Smith, but I used Pink Lady®. Both are great options and hold up well in the oven, Pink Lady® apples just make for a slightly sweeter tasting pie!
Ready, Set, Bake!
Let’s get to baking! Watch my video below for a step by step guide to making this Traditional Irish Apple Pie. I hope you enjoy a slice of the Irish with this pie and leave a comment below telling us how your dessert turned out!