Vegan Sunken Apple Pie

A light and buttery gluten-free cake foundation has been added to this traditional German apple cake recipe. With a sprinkling of powdered sugar, it’s festive enough for a party but humble and simple enough to cook on a weeknight!

Ingredients

For the Pie Crust

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup vegan butter (cold and cubed)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
4-6 tablespoons ice-cold water

For the Apple Filling

6 cups apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 tablespoons cornstarch

For the Topping

2 tablespoons vegan butter, melted
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

For the Pie Crust

In a food processor, combine the all-purpose flour, vegan butter, granulated sugar, and salt. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Add 1 tablespoon of ice-cold water at a time and pulse until the dough starts to come together.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a disc. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

For the Apple Filling

In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, lemon juice, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and cornstarch. Toss until the apples are evenly coated with the mixture.

Assembling and Baking

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Take the chilled pie dough and roll it out on a floured surface to fit a 9-inch pie dish.
Gently transfer the rolled-out dough to the pie dish, and press it into the bottom and sides.
Pour the apple filling into the prepared pie crust, spreading it out evenly.
In a small bowl, mix together the melted vegan butter, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon for the topping.
Drizzle the topping mixture over the apple filling.
Bake the pie in the preheated oven for about 50-60 minutes or until the apples are tender and the crust is golden brown.
Once baked, remove the pie from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.