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Freshly baked apple pandowdy in a white square ceramic dish with a golden, cracked crust and bubbling caramelized apple filling, with a silver spoon scooping into the dessert.

Apple Pandowdy Recipe

A rustic and comforting apple pandowdy made with spiced apples, a flaky crust, and a rich caramel-like sauce. This old-fashioned dessert is easy to make and uses simple pantry ingredients.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Resting Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, New England
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 6 Large Apples Tart baking apples peeled and sliced
  • ½ cup Brown sugar Packed
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon Fresh nutmeg Grated
  • 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon juice Freshly squeezed
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt
  • 2 tablespoon Butter Cut into small pieces
The Crust:
  • 1 ¼ cups All-purpose flour
  • ½ cup Cold butter Cut into cubes
  • 4-5 tablespoon Ice water Add gradually
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt
  • 1 tablespoon Sugar Optional for a touch of sweetness
The Dowdy Drizzle:
  • ¼ cup Heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoon Brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon Ground cinnamon
  • 1 pinch Salt

Equipment

  • 1 Deep baking dish 9x13-inch recommended
  • 1 Mixing bowl For combining apples and spices
  • 1 Pastry cutter For cutting butter into flour
  • 1 Rolling Pin For rolling out the crust
  • 1 Sharp knife For slicing apples
  • 1 Flat spatula For pressing crust into filling

Method
 

Apple Preparation
  1. Peel and slice the apples.
  2. Toss them with lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, salt, and brown sugar.
  3. Let the mixture rest for 15 minutes to release juices.
Make the Crust
  1. Cut cold butter into flour until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  2. Slowly add ice water and mix just until dough forms.
  3. Shape into a rough disc, cover, and chill for 30 minutes.
Assemble the Base
  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Butter a deep baking dish and layer the spiced apples inside.
  3. Dot with small pieces of butter and pour in any accumulated juices.
Roll & Top the Crust
  1. Roll out the dough on a floured surface.
  2. Place it over the apples, tucking in the edges.
  3. Cut a few steam vents on top.
First Bake
  1. Bake at 425°F for 20 minutes until golden brown.
  2. Reduce temperature to 375°F and bake for another 20 minutes.
Dowdy the Crust
  1. Gently break the crust into large pieces using a spatula.
  2. Press it slightly into the bubbling apples.
  3. Drizzle the heavy cream mixture over the top.
  4. Bake for a final 15 minutes.
Serve & Enjoy
  1. Let cool slightly before serving.
  2. Enjoy warm with ice cream or whipped cream.