A rustic pie — in this case, an easy rustic gluten free apple pie — is simply one that is made with a free-formed pastry crust enveloping sweet fillings in a pie dish. You can’t get it wrong, because no two rustic crust pies could really look alike.
Actually, I guess I need to back up a step. You can’t get a rustic gluten free pie wrong IF you use the right gluten free pie crust. Lucky for you, I’ll share my no-fail gluten free pie crust recipe with you!
This is a tried-and-true gluten free pastry that is actually easy to work with and is so tender and flaky when baked. I can only take credit in converting it to gluten free, though, as the original recipe is my grandmother’s, and it was probably her grandmother’s too. It’s so darn simple, that it’s likely just the recipe everyone used two hundred years ago!
And now we can still make it deliciously gluten free because of my gfJules Flour. It really is the key here, as it adds stretch and tenderness to gluten free pastries. Be sure to check all my gluten free pie crust tips though, as there’s another secret ingredient that I truly rely on for the most flaky, soft pie crusts!
Back to rustic pies, specifically. In this pie format, the pie dish helps to hold the pastry and the juices in place, but you could opt instead to make an entirely free-formed gluten free apple galette (check out my recipe here). And in either case, you could use peaches or pears or plums instead of or even with the apples — it’s your pie, you know?! I even have a recipe for a rustic gluten free berry pie, if you prefer!
There are lots of options here, and really no “wrong” way to make this beautifully rustic gluten free apple pie.
As for filling, at this time of year, I like cooking the apple with quince for a delicious fall filling (as pictured above in the blue pie plate), but other times I also use a bit of preserves like Bonne Maman® Golden Plum Mirabelle Preserves with tart apples because the consistency is perfect for pies and tarts (as pictured in the yellow pie plate).
The naturally sweet flavors of the plum really stand out in this recipe, in contrast to the texture and slight tartness of the diced apples.
If using preserves, note whether they are particularly thin and watery or not. Because the consistency of the Bonne Maman preserves is thick, I did not need to worry about the crust becoming soggy from the preserves; if you use another brand of preserves that is thin and more juicy, finely crush some gluten free graham crackers or other cookies and sprinkle them over the bottom of the pastry before adding the fruit, to help absorb the juice.
If you prefer a lot of crust on your pies, double or use 1½ recipes of my Grandma’s Pie Crust recipe; if you would rather the fruit be the star of this show, simply use one recipe of my Grandma’s Pie Crust, and pleat the edge of the rolled pastry by folding it over the edge and on top of the fruit, approximately 1-2 inches.
And don’t you worry about making a gluten free pie crust. It’s NO PROBLEM with this now-famous gluten free pie crust recipe. It’s always one of the most popular recipes on my gfJules Blog, probably because it’s so different from any other gluten free pie crust. The recipe makes a light, flaky, buttery (even if you use vegan butter), and rolls and transfers like it’s supposed to — easily!
Remember to check out all my tips and tricks, the recipe and my secrets to pie baking success here. (Spoiler alert: one of the most important tricks is to use my gfJules Gluten Free All Purpose Flour. It provides stretch in the dough, while keeping it light and soft. My other secrets help to make your crust tender and flaky, too!)
Repeat after me: there is no wrong way of making this gorgeous rustic gluten free apple pie, so get creative and make it the way you like it!
Rustic Gluten Free Apple Pie Recipe
Rustic Gluten Free Apple Pie Recipe
This tender, flaky homemade gluten free pie crust is the perfect recipe to encrust any pie like this rustic gluten free Apple Pie!
Ingredients
- 1 pound slightly tart apples, peeled, cored and cut into smaller chunks (approximately 3 apples)
- 1/2 cup plum preserves (Bonne Maman® Golden Plum Mirabelle Preserves)
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon finely grated orange peel
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 large egg, mixed, or milk of choice to brush on crust
- Demerara sugar (or regular white sugar) to sprinkle on crust
Instructions
Prepare 1, 1½ or 2 recipes of my Grandma’s Pie Crust, depending on how much pastry crust you would like to have on top of your pie. Shape into a flat disc, then wrap with plastic and set on the counter while you prepare the filling.
Preheat oven to 400° F.
In a large bowl, toss the diced apples with the preserves, lemon juice, sugar, orange peel and spices. Set aside while preparing the crust.
Roll out the pastry crust onto a clean counter or pastry mat (preferred) dusted well with gfJules™ All Purpose Gluten Free Flour or gluten-free starch like cornstarch. (Click to follow step-by-step rolling directions) The crust should be at least 2 inches larger than the edge of your pie plate.
Transfer the crust into the pie plate (Click to follow step-by-step transfer directions). If using thin, watery preserves, finely crush 3/4 cup gluten-free graham crackers or other cookies and sprinkle onto the pastry. Spread the mixed fruit on top of the pastry or the pastry with cookie crumbs. Gently fold the edges of the pastry over the fruit filling and pleat or arrange however you like.
Brush the mixed egg or milk onto all exposed pastry, then sprinkle with demerara sugar.
Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce temperature to 350° F. Bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until the fruit is bubbling and the crust is lightly browned and slightly crispy outside, but not tough.
Serve warm.
Pin for later!
This looks wonderful! What other fruit preserve might work, as none of my stores seem to carry Plum at this time?
I’m trying this for thanksgiving. My husband is gluten free but I mKearecipei can eat too. This looks so derful.
Hi Rosemary – so glad this pie looks good for both of you — I certainly think you’ll both love it! Hope so!
~jules
I think this is my new favorite pie😋 thank you for channeling your Grandma!
That little bit of citrus is so yummy and bright! Not to mention the plums😃!
Awww, so glad you love it too, Janie!!!!
~jules