Suomalainen Omenapaistos (Finnish Apple Bake)
A comforting and rustic Finnish apple bake, often made with rye flour and served warm with vanilla sauce or ice cream. It highlights the use of seasonal apples and simple, wholesome ingredients.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Apples(peeled, cored, and sliced (e.g., Honeycrisp, Gala, or local Finnish varieties))
- 150 g Rye flour
- 50 g All-purpose flour
- 150 g Butter(cold and cubed)
- 150 g Sugar(granulated)
- 2 tsp Cinnamon
- 1 tsp Cardamom(ground)
- 0.5 tsp Salt
- 1 large Egg(for egg wash)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Grease a 23cm (9-inch) baking dish.
💡 Tip: Ensure the oven is fully preheated for even baking. - 2
In a large bowl, combine rye flour, all-purpose flour, sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, and salt. Mix well.
💡 Tip: Using a whisk ensures all dry ingredients are evenly distributed. - 3
Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Rub the butter into the dry ingredients with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
⏱️ 5 minutes💡 Tip: Work quickly to prevent the butter from melting. The texture should be like wet sand. - 4
Arrange the sliced apples in the prepared baking dish. You can layer them or mix them with a tablespoon of sugar and cinnamon if desired.
💡 Tip: Slightly overlapping the apple slices creates a more appealing presentation. - 5
Evenly sprinkle the crumb mixture over the apples. Gently press it down.
💡 Tip: Ensure the topping covers the apples well to create a nice crust. - 6
Whisk the egg with a tablespoon of water and brush it over the crumb topping for a golden finish.
💡 Tip: An egg wash gives the bake a beautiful sheen and color. - 7
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender and bubbling.
⏱️ 40 minutes💡 Tip: Check for doneness by inserting a knife into the apples; they should be easily pierced. - 8
Let the apple bake cool slightly before serving. Serve warm with vanilla sauce, whipped cream, or ice cream.
💡 Tip: Allowing it to rest for 10-15 minutes helps the juices settle.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Use a mix of apple varieties for a more complex flavor.
- ✓For a richer crumble, add a handful of chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts.
- ✓If you don't have rye flour, you can substitute with more all-purpose flour, though the rye adds a distinctive Finnish touch.
🔄 Variations
- Add a few tablespoons of lingonberry jam to the apple layer for a tart contrast.
- Incorporate a splash of Finnish mead (sima) into the apple mixture for added flavor.