The braided pie is a dessert that not only delights the taste buds but also the eyes, thanks to its attractive appearance. This pie can be prepared with various fruits, but today we will focus on an apple variant, which is always a popular choice, as well as on the less common blueberry variant, which is equally delicious. Start by preparing the dough, which is the base of this recipe.
For the dough, you need 500 g of flour, 250 g of cold butter cut into cubes, 150 g of sugar, 2 eggs, and a pinch of salt. In a large bowl, combine the flour with the salt and sugar. Add the cold butter and, using your fingers or a food processor, mix the ingredients until you achieve a texture similar to sand. Add the eggs, one at a time, and quickly knead until the dough becomes homogeneous. Wrap it in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare the filling. If you choose apples, peel and cut 1 kg of apples into small cubes. Add 100 g of sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and the juice of one lemon to prevent oxidation. Mix well and let the mixture sit for 15 minutes so that the apples release their juice. If you prefer blueberries, use 500 g of fresh or frozen blueberries, add 100 g of sugar and the juice of one lemon, mixing gently not to crush the delicate fruits.
After the dough has rested in the refrigerator, divide it into two equal parts. Roll each piece of dough on a floured surface, so you obtain two thin sheets. Place one sheet in a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Spread the filling evenly over the sheet, leaving a small space at the edges.
Roll out the second sheet of dough and cut it into strips about 2 cm wide. Braid the strips of dough over the filling, creating a beautiful pattern. Make sure the strips are evenly placed so that the filling is well covered.
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and bake the pie for 40-45 minutes or until the dough becomes golden and crispy. Let the pie cool slightly before cutting it. Serve it warm, alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or with a dollop of sour cream for a delicious contrast. The braided pie with apples or blueberries will surely become a favorite in your family, both for its savory taste and its special appearance.
For the dough, you need 500 g of flour, 250 g of cold butter cut into cubes, 150 g of sugar, 2 eggs, and a pinch of salt. In a large bowl, combine the flour with the salt and sugar. Add the cold butter and, using your fingers or a food processor, mix the ingredients until you achieve a texture similar to sand. Add the eggs, one at a time, and quickly knead until the dough becomes homogeneous. Wrap it in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare the filling. If you choose apples, peel and cut 1 kg of apples into small cubes. Add 100 g of sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and the juice of one lemon to prevent oxidation. Mix well and let the mixture sit for 15 minutes so that the apples release their juice. If you prefer blueberries, use 500 g of fresh or frozen blueberries, add 100 g of sugar and the juice of one lemon, mixing gently not to crush the delicate fruits.
After the dough has rested in the refrigerator, divide it into two equal parts. Roll each piece of dough on a floured surface, so you obtain two thin sheets. Place one sheet in a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Spread the filling evenly over the sheet, leaving a small space at the edges.
Roll out the second sheet of dough and cut it into strips about 2 cm wide. Braid the strips of dough over the filling, creating a beautiful pattern. Make sure the strips are evenly placed so that the filling is well covered.
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and bake the pie for 40-45 minutes or until the dough becomes golden and crispy. Let the pie cool slightly before cutting it. Serve it warm, alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or with a dollop of sour cream for a delicious contrast. The braided pie with apples or blueberries will surely become a favorite in your family, both for its savory taste and its special appearance.
Ingredients
Ingredients for a pie - I made 2, so I doubled the quantities; (I will give you the quantities from the magazine and their specifications) 300g or 3 cups flour, 50g or 1/4 cup sugar, 1 packet (7g) dry yeast with very fast rising agent (quick-rise yeast) - my mother also used regular dry yeast and it turned out fine; 120 ml or 1/2 cup milk, 115g or 1/2 cup margarine or butter, 60 ml or 1/4 cup water, 1 egg, 1/2 teaspoon salt; 4 - 5 apples.