Looking for a special dessert to serve on St. Patrick’s Day? Irish Apple Buttermilk Pie is perfect, since it’s authentic Irish, and it’s special enough to be served on a holiday. Actually, this pie is good anytime, so it may become a favorite that is prepared over and over throughout the year. Bramley apples, available in the UK and surrounding areas, are the most popular variety used in Ireland, since they are tart and hold up well to cooking. If they aren’t available where you live, Granny Smith makes a good substitute, or it’s okay to use a mixture of your favorite cooking apples.

This yummy pie consists of apple chunks baked in a creamy custard with a few spices. It’s good warm, cold, or at room temperature. It is even good a day or two after being baked, so it’s a good choice for a busy cook. Ground mixed spice is widely available in the UK, as well as some places in the US. If you can’t find it, you can make your own (recipe below) or substitute some cinnamon and nutmeg. Penzey’s (penzeys.com) also carries Baking Spice and Cake Spice, both of which are similar and can be used interchangeably.

8 Servings

1 pound tart cooking apples, such as Granny Smith or Bramley
1 9" unbaked pie shell

3 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup melted butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground mixed spice, or 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 dash salt

Topping:
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground mixed spice, or nutmeg

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Peel and core the apples; cut them into small chunks and place them evenly in the unbaked pie shell.
3. Measure the eggs, sugar, buttermilk, melted butter, flour, ground mixed spice, vanilla, and salt in a blender container; blend on low until well, mixed, scraping down the sides once.
4. Pour over the apples.
5. Mix the topping ingredients and sprinkle over the top of the pie.
6. Bake 60-75 minutes or until the center is set.
7. Remove from the oven and set on a cooling rack.

Note: If ground mixed spice is unavailable, you can make your own: Grind the following in a spice grinder or bullet blender:

1 teaspoon whole allspice
1 piece cinnamon stick, (1" long)
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1/4 teaspoon dried orange zest, (optional)
1/2 teaspoon whole coriander seeds
1 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon paprika

Store in an airtight container.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 420 Calories from Fat 159
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 38% Protein 5% Carb. 57%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 18 g
Saturated Fat 7 g
Cholesterol 101 mg
Sodium 309 mg
Total Carbohydrate 60 g
Dietary Fiber 1 g
Sugars 38 g
Protein 5 g

Vitamin A 9% Vitamin C 6% Calcium 0% Iron 6%