This Potato Pancake Apple Pie is a heartwarming Lithuanian-inspired dessert that combines tart apples, buttery dough, and a nostalgic nod to traditional homesteading life. It’s the perfect cozy treat for fall or Thanksgiving—where potato pancake texture meets apple pie flavor magic. 
Ingredients
- 2 ½ sticks of butter, softened
- 4 large apples (Granny Smith preferred, but any variety works)
- 8 tbsp of flour
- 1 cup of sugar (for the dough)
- 2 tbsp of sugar (for the apples)
- A handful of shaved almonds
- 2 tbsp of cinnamon
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Peel, core, and dice the apples. Mix them with 2 tablespoons of sugar and a pinch of cinnamon in a bowl. Let them sit while you prepare the dough.
- In another bowl, cream together softened butter and 1 cup of sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually add in flour until the dough is soft and not sticky.
- Set aside ¼ of the dough for the top crust. Press the rest into the base of a pie dish to create a thick crust.
- Sprinkle a layer of shaved almonds over the base. Add the apple mixture on top.
- Roll out the reserved dough and cut it into strips. Arrange them in a lattice pattern over the apples.
- Bake for 1 hour or until the crust is golden and apples are bubbling.
- Remove from oven, let cool slightly, and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
Lithuanians have a special place in their hearts (and kitchens) for apples. Whether tossed into salads, roasted with meats, or simmered into soups to add a delicate tang, apples are a staple of traditional Lithuanian cuisine. When in doubt, a Lithuanian cook might just reach for an apple—much like others might reach for bacon. It’s a comforting constant. 
A Taste of Childhood – Memories from the “Sodas” 
For many Lithuanians, the apple isn’t just a fruit—it’s a memory.
Back in the Soviet era, urban families were often granted small plots of land outside the city, lovingly referred to as “sodas” (which means “orchard” or “garden” in Lithuanian). These mini-homesteads were used for gardening, relaxing, and preserving a connection to nature—and they played a huge role in food self-sufficiency.
One woman remembers those days with nostalgic warmth. As a child, she and her siblings would spend long summer days at their family’s sodas, helping (sometimes reluctantly) with weeding, and looking forward to the apple-picking adventures that came with the fall. The apple trees there bore fruits of many kinds—each one a new taste, a new debate about which was best.
An important family rule: never let an apple hit the ground. A single bump and the countdown to spoilage would begin. Instead, apples were picked with care and stored in the cool cellar, ready to be used throughout the season.
Now, years later, those apples find their way into a heartwarming dish that combines tradition with a twist: Potato Pancake Apple Pie—a unique, unexpected fusion of flavors and textures that somehow just works. Especially perfect for fall gatherings or Thanksgiving tables! 
Serving Tips & Notes:
- Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
- It’s even more delicious the next day—if there’s any left!
- Perfect for cozy fall evenings, harvest festivals, or impressing guests at Thanksgiving.
This Potato Pancake Apple Pie is more than just a dessert—it's a nostalgic journey, a tribute to Lithuanian roots, and a reminder that sometimes the most unexpected combinations (like potatoes and apples) can lead to the most delightful results.
This sounds delicious! Consider adding a pinch of cardamom to the apple filling for a warm, aromatic complexity that complements the cinnamon. Perhaps a streusel topping, incorporating the shaved almonds, would also enhance the texture and visual appeal.