Apple pie (AIP)

A sweet memory from my childhood

My sweet, sweet grandma baked the most amazing apple pies, it was called the almás pite. Simple yet scrumptious - special treat for the weekends. The juicy apple filling was seasoned with cinnamon and the top and bottom crust layers were crumbly, melting in the mouth - pretty nostalgic.

I have used the Healing Kitchen's cherry pie bars recipe (page 314) as a guide to recreate my AIP version of this fabulous apple dessert. The result were very satisfying. This is truly a no-added-sugar treat, no honey, no maple syrup, no dates, nothing.

To make this AIP apple pie you will need:
1 cup mashes sweet potato (about 2 medium sweet potatoes)
2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
1/2 tsp fine Himalayan rock salt
4 heaped tbsp coconut flour
2 heaped tbsp tapioca starch
1/3 tsp baking soda
1 scant tbsp lemon juice

4 tbsp coconut oil
4 large apples
1 generous tsp ground cinnamon

1. Steam the sweet potatoes, let them cool to room temperature, peel and mash, then push through a stainless steel sieve to catch all the stringy bits, if any.

2. Put the prepared sweet potato into a mixing bowl, add the melted coconut oil, the salt and lemon juice. Mix, then add the baking soda, coconut flour and tapioca, little by little stopping when you have reached the consistency of a wet, somewhat crumbly dough.

Tip: You would need more or less of the flour depending on the moisture of you sweet potatoes.

3. Prepare a square baking tin 20 x 20 cm: line it with baking paper.

4. Scoop the dough into the prepared baking tin, press down with your fingers, using the back of a spoon to smooth the top out. Prick with a fork here and there and put the tin into the preheated oven and bake at 185 C for about 35 to 40 mins.

5. While the base is in the oven prepare the filling: peel the apples and grate them (large hole).

6. Melt the coconut oil, add the grated apple, ground cinnamon, stir to combine, bring to the boil then reduce the heat to the minimum, cover with a lid and gently cook for 15 mins, stirring occasionally. Let it cool down to room temperature.

7. Take the baking tin out of the oven, spread the prepared apple on top, smooth out with the back of a spoon or a spatula, and put the tin back for 15 more mins.

8. When the time is up, take out the baking tin, remove the pie so that it can cool down more quickly.

9. Cut the pie in half then put one on top of another, filling facing each other. Slice, share and enjoy!