A while ago I saw the movie Confessions of a Shopaholic. I apologise to all the people around me at the cinema when I constantly burst into laughter at the Finnish references. As my partner is half Finnish, I seemed to find it all quite amusing for some reason. The central character of the movie is asked why she uses Finland for all her excuses? She replies, “because no one ever checks up on Finland”.
Comedic opportunities aside, I found that reference interesting. As I have been fortunate to visit this beautiful part of the world, I suppose in a way Finland is one of the best kept secrets around. (See some pictures from Suomenlinna Island below!)
And because I am inherently interested in baking, perhaps it would follow that Finnish baked goods are also some of the best kept secrets around? Given that, this month I will endeavour to investigate traditional Finnish baked goods.
I recently baked Pulla. Next up? Omenapiirakka … or Finnish apple pie. We are right in the middle of prime apple picking season so a perfect time for this pie.
I must say up front, you need to try this pie. The best part for me was how easy the pastry was to make. And even better than that, how delicious it was. I actually made the pastry a day ahead and was able to quickly roll out, top with apple and then bake in less than 45 minutes.
To keep it simple, I served with a light dusting of icing sugar and some rich vanilla ice cream to complement the gooey caramelised apple centre of the pie.
I asked my partner if he had eaten Omenapiirakka when living in Finland. He had not. But he swiftly gave me a list of things he remembered from Finland as well as his mummo’s – grandmother’s – baking. (Kiitoksia kauhean paljon!)
Okay, pressure on now.
{ Omenapiirakka } by Beatrice Ojakangas
Finnish apple pie with cream crust
* Ingredients *
Pastry:
2 ¼ cups plain flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup butter
1 cup heavy cream
Filling:
4 tart apples, pared, cored and sliced
¼ cup sugar
1 tablespoon flour
½ teaspoon cinnamon
Glaze:
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
* Directions *
In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the cream and mix to make a soft dough. Chill 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 425F or 220C. Grease and dust a baking sheet lightly with flour. Turn dough out onto the centre of the sheet and roll out to make a 12 inch / 30 cm square.
Combine the apples, sugar, flour, salt and cinnamon. Arrange the apples in rows over the crust, leaving about 1 ½ inches or 4 cm empty at the edges. Turn edges up over the filling and seal the corners. Beat egg with milk to make a glaze and brush edge.
Bake for 30 – 35 minutes or until golden.
Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, Heksinki
May 8, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Interesting! My husband is half Finnish and those pics of Suomenlinna bring back some recent memories. One of my favourite Finnish foods is Karelian Rice pies which I will make one day! 🙂
May 9, 2009 at 7:23 am
Lorraine – too funny. You know that list I have been given? The Karelian Rice Pastry is at the top. I know they are a real favourite, too. Hopefully Beatrice can help me out again. 🙂
May 8, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Looks delicious. The cream crust sounds heavenly!
May 9, 2009 at 1:13 am
The pastry is pretty unusual with the addition of heavy cream, I can feel how delicious, crumbly and buttery at all one bite. With pastry this rich, you are very clever not putting to much filling other then apples and a dash of cinnamon.
Look absolutely delicious!
Cheers,
elra
May 9, 2009 at 4:55 pm
I love the sound of this, simple yet rich. This is definielty on my agenda. Love the pics.
May 9, 2009 at 6:32 pm
A delicious looking tart! What pretty pictures!
Cheers,
Rosa
May 11, 2009 at 7:37 am
So here it is your apple pie :-). Looks so delicious!
Omenapiirakka -> Finnish is such a great language :-)! And Finland must be a beautiful place … XOXO
May 16, 2009 at 9:08 am
beautiful, rustic and simple…this is my kind of pie!
June 11, 2009 at 12:08 am
Now that is fine and unique (to me anyway) apple pie, one that makes the list of gotta-makes. I’m fascinated by the cream crust and look forward to giving that a try. many thanks, tc.
June 14, 2009 at 8:35 am
[…] Karelian Rice Pasties (p272) 4. Mustikkapiiraat :: Blueberry Filled Buns (p237) 5. Omenapiirakka :: Finnish Apple Pie (p240) 6. Pulla :: Finnish Cardamom Bread (p70) […]