Pomegranate Cardamom Apple Pie Recipe

Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes, plus 4 hours cooling
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 20 minutes, plus 4 hours cooling

About This Recipe

There’s something special about apple pie during the holidays, and this Pomegranate Cardamom Apple Pie is a treat that elevates the classic with unique flavors and a striking color. The combination of sweet and tart apples, cooked in a rich, spiced pomegranate reduction, brings a bold twist to traditional apple pie. Perfectly balanced with hints of ginger, lemon, and cardamom, it’s a pie worth waiting for. This recipe requires some time, but the result is a beautifully baked dessert that will shine on any Thanksgiving table.

Ingredients
Yields: 8 servings

For the Filling:

• ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 cup (294 grams) pomegranate juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from 2 lemons)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• ¾ teaspoon ground cardamom
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt (or ¼ teaspoon fine salt)
• 6 apples (e.g., Honeycrisp and Granny Smith, about 2¾ pounds), peeled, cored, and sliced ½-inch thick

For the Topping:

• 2 tablespoons coarse sugar (such as turbinado)
• ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1 tablespoon heavy cream, for brushing the dough

For the Crust:

• 2 rounds Laminated Pie Dough
• All-purpose flour, for dusting

Preparation Steps

1. Make the Filling:
   In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, whisk the granulated sugar and cornstarch. Add the pomegranate juice, lemon zest and juice, ginger, cardamom, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking frequently. Lower the heat to medium and cook for about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to the consistency of molasses.
2. Add Apples:
   Stir the apple slices into the sauce, coating them evenly. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the apples begin to soften. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. To speed up cooling, spread the mixture on a rimmed baking sheet.
3. Prepare the Topping:
   In a small bowl, mix the coarse sugar and cardamom. Set aside. Preheat your oven to 400°F with a rack on the lowest position.
4. Prepare the Crust:
   Remove the dough rounds from the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. Roll one round on a floured surface into a 12-inch circle and fit it into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate without stretching. Refrigerate the crust in the plate. Roll the second dough round into a 16-inch circle and cut into 2-inch-wide strips.
5. Assemble the Pie:
   Fill the chilled pie shell with the cooled filling, spreading it evenly. To create a lattice, lay half of the dough strips vertically over the filling, leaving about ½ inch between each strip. Carefully fold every other strip back, place a strip horizontally across, and alternate folding strips up and down to weave the lattice pattern. Repeat until the lattice is complete.
6. Crimp and Brush:
   Trim any excess dough to leave about half an inch hanging over the pie plate’s edge. Fold the overhang inward and crimp. If the dough becomes too soft, freeze the pie for 10 minutes. Lightly brush the crust and lattice with heavy cream and sprinkle the cardamom sugar on top.
7. Bake:
   Place the pie on a foil-lined, rimmed baking sheet and bake on the lowest rack for 15 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 350°F and bake for another hour to an hour and 15 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the filling bubbles. Cool the pie to room temperature for at least 4 hours before slicing. It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 3 days but is best the day it’s made.

Tips for Success

• Choose Your Apples Carefully: A mix of firm, tart, and sweet apples works best for baking. Recommended varieties include Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Pink Lady, and Golden Delicious.
• Patience is Key: Cooling the pie for at least four hours is essential for clean, beautiful slices.
• Enhance Flavor: Cardamom and ginger add depth to this pie, while the pomegranate reduction gives the filling a rich, jewel-like hue.

ALL IN ALL
This Pomegranate Cardamom Apple Pie is the perfect blend of traditional and modern, with vibrant flavors that bring warmth to any gathering. Try it out for your Thanksgiving or any fall occasion, and enjoy the praise as guests indulge in this beautiful, delicious treat!