Mary Berry’s apple pie is nothing short of legendary, and it’s the ultimate dessert! (Just sayin’…)
I always prep the pastry dough first to let it rest in the fridge—it makes it so much easier to roll and shape.
The filling is a delicious marriage of tender apples, warm spices, and just enough sugar to balance the tartness.
I like to use a mix of apples—something firm like Granny Smith paired with a sweeter variety like Honeycrisp.
Of course, you’ll let this pie cool to allow the filling to set beautifully, making slicing a breeze and eating a joy!
How to Make Mary Berry Apple Pie
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups All-Purpose Flour
- ½ cup Butter (cold, cubed)
- 2 tbsp Cold Water
- 1 Egg Yolk
- 4 cups Cooking Apples (peeled, cored, sliced)
- ½ cup Caster Sugar
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 Beaten Egg (for glazing)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1:
Begin by making the pastry.
In a large bowl, rub the chilled, cubed butter into the flour with your fingertips.
Mix until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
Add the egg yolk and a little cold water to bind the mixture.
Wrap the dough in cling film and chill for 30 minutes.
Step 2:
Preheat your oven to 375°F.
This gives you time to prepare the apple filling.
Step 3:
Combine the sliced apples with caster sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice.
This helps prevent browning and adds a lovely flavor.
Step 4:
Roll out the chilled pastry and line a 9-inch pie dish with half of it.
Place half of the apple mixture into the dish.
Distribute the apples evenly for consistent baking.
Step 5:
Cover the apples with the remaining pastry.
Seal the edges with a fork or your fingers.
Make a few slits on top for steam to escape.
Brush with the beaten egg for a beautiful golden crust.
Step 6:
Bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes, until the crust is golden brown.
The apples should be tender and the filling bubbling.
Once done, let it cool slightly before serving.
Tips and Tricks for Making This Recipe
Keep Your Ingredients Cold
Using cold butter and water will help your pastry stay flaky.
Make sure to chill the dough thoroughly before rolling it out.
Perfect Your Apple Selection
Choose firm apples to keep their shape during baking.
Mixing different types of apples can add complexity to the flavor profile.
Use Egg Wash Wisely
Brush the top of your pie with egg wash just before baking.
It helps achieve a beautiful glossy finish on the crust.
Rest the Pie Before Serving
Let the pie cool down for at least 15 minutes after baking.
This helps the filling set and makes slicing easier.
Experiment with Spices
Feel free to add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice!
A little spice variety can complement the cinnamon and enhance the apple’s flavor.
What to Serve with Mary Berry Apple Pie
Classic Vanilla Ice Cream
You can’t go wrong with a scoop of vanilla ice cream when serving Mary Berry’s apple pie!
The cold, creamy texture of the ice cream against the warm pie creates a contrast that complements the tart flavor of the apples.
Rich Custard Sauce
A velvety custard sauce pairs beautifully with the pie, adding a smooth and silky layer of taste and texture.
Pour it generously over a slice and enjoy the warm spices of the apple with the smoothness of the custard.
Fresh Whipped Cream
Fresh whipped cream is another excellent choice that enhances the flavors and adds a light, airy texture.
You can even spice up your whipped cream with a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg to match the apple pie’s warmth.
Savory Cheese Board
For a more unexpected side, consider serving a small cheese board.
The savory, salty notes of a sharp cheddar create a good contrast with the sweet, spiced pie.
Spiced Pecans
Adding a bowl of spiced pecans on the table might surprise your taste buds in the best way!
These nuts can bring a bit of crunch and spice to each bite, making for an exciting mix of sweet and nutty flavors.
Herbal Tea Selection
If you’re a tea lover, try pairing your pie with an herbal tea selection.
A hint of chamomile or ginger can enhance the pie’s taste in a fun, new way, cutting through the richness with a refreshing sip.
Variations and Substitutions
Shortcrust Pastry
You can make the pie with a traditional shortcrust pastry or opt for a store-bought version if you’re short on time.
If you’re gluten-free, swap the flour in the pastry for a gluten-free all-purpose blend.
Don’t forget to adjust the liquid content slightly to achieve the right consistency.
Different Fruit Combinations
Try adding some berries to your apple pie filling!
A mix of apples and blackberries can make a wonderful combination.
Alternatively, pears can also be a delicious substitute for apples if you want something different.
Sweetener Alternatives
If you’re looking to cut down on sugar, use a sweetener that suits your taste and dietary preferences.
Honey or maple syrup can be used as natural alternatives to caster sugar in the filling.
Just remember to adjust the measurements as needed, based on the sweetness you desire.
Spice Variations
Cinnamon is a classic, but you can experiment with nutmeg or allspice for a warm, spicy note.
Adding a pinch of ground ginger can bring an interesting dimension to your filling.
Mix and match to find a spice combination you love!
How to Store Leftover Apple Pie
Storing leftover apple pie properly is crucial for keeping it as delicious as when it was first baked!
If the pie was baked the day prior, storing it at room temperature is perfectly fine.
Just cover it well with a pie dome or some plastic wrap.
For pies that have been out for longer than two days, moving them into the fridge is the best option.
Cover the pie with foil or plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.
Freezing the Pie
To enjoy the pie much later, freezing is an option.
Wrap the pie tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, and then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container.
Handling Pie Slices
If you have individual slices, consider wrapping them separately in plastic wrap or foil.
This makes it easier to grab a slice from the fridge or freezer without having to defrost the whole pie.
Using Airtight Containers
You can also use airtight containers for storage to better maintain the pie’s freshness.
These containers effectively keep out moisture and prevent staleness.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using the Wrong Apples
You might think all apples are alike for a pie, but that’s a common mistake.
For the best results, choose apples that hold their shape and offer a nice balance of sweet and tart.
Granny Smith and Bramley apples are excellent choices for Mary Berry’s apple pie!
Overworking the Pastry
Handling the pastry too much can lead to a tough crust, and nobody wants that!
When making the pastry, mix the flour and butter gently until it resembles breadcrumbs.
Once you add water, mix just until the dough comes together.
Forgetting to Vent the Pie
Make sure to cut slits on the top pastry to allow steam to escape during baking.
Without venting, you risk a soggy pie from trapped steam.
Creating steam holes also helps achieve that beautiful golden-brown crust.

Mary Berry Apple Pie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups All-Purpose Flour
- ½ cup Butter cold, cubed
- 2 tbsp Cold Water
- 1 Egg Yolk
- 4 cups Cooking Apples peeled, cored, sliced
- ½ cup Caster Sugar
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 Beaten Egg for glazing
Instructions
- Begin by making the pastry.
- In a large bowl, rub the chilled, cubed butter into the flour with your fingertips.
- Mix until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
- Add the egg yolk and a little cold water to bind the mixture.
- Wrap the dough in cling film and chill for 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- This gives you time to prepare the apple filling.
- Combine the sliced apples with caster sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice.
- This helps prevent browning and adds a lovely flavor.
- Roll out the chilled pastry and line a 9-inch pie dish with half of it.
- Place half of the apple mixture into the dish.
- Distribute the apples evenly for consistent baking.
- Cover the apples with the remaining pastry.
- Seal the edges with a fork or your fingers.
- Make a few slits on top for steam to escape.
- Brush with the beaten egg for a beautiful golden crust.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes, until the crust is golden brown.
- The apples should be tender and the filling bubbling.
- Once done, let it cool slightly before serving.