Heart-Shaped Apple Pie: The Ultimate Romantic Treat

Nothing says "I love you" quite like a homemade, Heart-Shaped Apple Pie. It combines a buttery crust, cinnamon-kissed caramelized apples, and a golden-brown lattice top. This dish is a wonderful addition to a romantic dinner, celebrating Galentine’s Day with friends, or simply treating yourself, because self-love is important too.

The best part of this pie is that it’s not popular just for its looks. This heart-shaped delight has all the warmth and nostalgia of a classic apple pie but with an added touch of charm. It’s sweet, slightly tart, and infused with comforting spices. Plus, the apricot jam glaze adds a subtle fruity taste that ties everything together. Ready to bake up some love? Let’s get started!

The Sweet Story Behind Apple Pie

Apple pie is the undisputed king of comfort desserts. Though many think of it as a purely American treat, thanks to the famous phrase "as American as apple pie", its origins trace back to medieval Europe. The first recorded apple pie recipes appeared in 14th-century England, made with apples, figs, raisins, and pears, all encased in a pastry shell.

In the 18th century, early American settlers brought apple seeds to North America, planting orchards that would later produce the perfect apples for pie-making. Today, apple pie is a symbol of home baking at its finest.

Pro Tips for the Best Heart-Shaped Apple Pie

• Cold butter creates a flakier crust. Try freezing it for 10 minutes before mixing it into the dough.
• Refrigerate the dough for at least an hour. This prevents the dough from shrinking when baked.
• Slow-cooking the apples in butter and sugar enhances their natural sweetness and prevents a soggy pie.
• An even dough thickness ensures uniform baking and prevents uneven textures.
• Weaving the dough may look tricky, but taking your time will create a beautiful, professional-looking top.

Can I Make This Pie in Advance?

You can prepare the dough and apple filling a day in advance. Store the dough wrapped in plastic in the fridge and the filling in an airtight container.

How Do I Prevent a Soggy Bottom Crust?

Brushing a thin layer of apricot jam before adding the apple filling helps create a barrier that prevents sogginess.

Can I Add Nuts or Raisins?

Of course! Chopped walnuts or pecans add a nice crunch, while raisins provide extra sweetness.

Can I Freeze This Pie?

Wrap the fully baked and cooled pie tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. It will keep for up to three months in the freezer.

What’s the Best Way to Reheat Leftovers?

For a fresh-from-the-oven taste, warm the pie in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes.

Can I Serve It with Ice Cream?

A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream makes this pie even more indulgent.

How to Store Any Leftovers

To store leftovers, keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to extend its freshness, refrigerate it for up to 5 days, warming slices in the oven before serving.

How to Make Heart-Shaped Apple Pie

In a bowl, whisk flour, powdered sugar, vanilla sugar, and salt. Add the butter and mix with your fingers until crumbly.

Add eggs and knead until a dough forms.

Transfer to a work surface and knead into a compact dough.

Divide the dough into two halves, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for an hour.

In a pan, melt butter and cook apple slices with sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon on low heat until caramelized.

Roll out the first half on parchment paper and cut a heart shape using a heart mold and remove the excess dough.

Split the other half of the dough in half and place one half on parchment paper. Roll it out in a rectangular shape and cut it into stripes. Repeat the process with the other half.

Let’s begin making one-half of the weave. Alternately lift the classic pastry strips (odd strips) and fold them in half on themselves.

Take the strip from the other half of the dough and place it vertically on the unraised strips (even strips).

Continue like this until one-half of the braid is finished.

Once half of the braid is finished, proceed to braid the other half

Pierce with the heart mold to obtain the heart shape (top part). Remove the excess of the dough and transfer to the fridge for 2 hours.

Spread apricot jam on the bottom part of the heart-shape and add apple the filling.

Cover the pie with the top part of the braided heart shape and seal the edges by pressing down gently.

Transfer the pie to a baking tray covered with parchment paper.

Sprinkle sugar on top your pie and bake at 180°C (360°F) for 40 minutes until golden.

Let the pie cool slightly, dust with powdered sugar, slice and dig in.