This rustic Finnish Apple Pie, known as Omenapiirakka, is an easy, galette-style dessert packed with warm spices and juicy apples. With its super-flaky crust and comforting flavors of fall, this pie is perfect served warm with ice cream or enjoyed with coffee at room temperature. A simple yet authentic Nordic recipe!
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Kitchen scale (optional)
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Rolling Pin
- Bench scraper (optional but helpful)
- Cheese grater or sharp knife (for butter)
- Apple peeler & corer
- Pastry cutter
Ingredients
For the Pie Crust:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (very cold)
- ½ cup ice-cold water (as needed)
- ½ cup sour cream (or substitute full-fat Greek yogurt)
For the Apple Filling:
- 5-6 medium apples (Granny Smith or preferred variety)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cardamom
Instructions
Prepare Pie Crust
- Freeze butter and ice water for 10 minutes.
- Grate or finely chop butter. Return to freezer for 10 more minutes.
- Whisk flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.
- Add cold butter and use a pastry cutter to blend until crumbly.
- Gradually add ice water and sour cream until dough holds together.
- Form into a disk, laminate by folding 3-4 times for extra flakiness.
- Wrap and chill for at least 6 hours or overnight.
Prepare Filling & Assemble Pie
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Peel, core, and thinly slice apples. Mix with sugars and spices.
- Roll out dough on parchment into an oval larger than your baking sheet.
- Arrange apples in center, leaving a 2-inch border.
- Fold edges over apples, creating a rustic galette.
Bake
- Bake for 17-23 minutes until crust is golden and apples are tender.
- Cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Notes
Looking for a cozy, comforting dessert to use up those extra apples? 🍎 Or maybe you’re baking for a fall gathering and want something unique yet simple? Look no further than Omenapiirakka, the beloved Finnish apple pie that’s easy to make, rustic in style, and absolutely packed with the warm, spiced flavors of autumn. 🍂
Unlike American deep-dish pies, this Finnish version is more like a galette — a free-form tart with a flaky, buttery crust folded around juicy, spiced apples. Whether served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, at room temperature with coffee, or even chilled as a refreshing treat, this pie is guaranteed to be a hit. 💛
🛠️ Tools & Equipment You'll Need
To create this homemade Finnish apple pie, you’ll need a few kitchen basics:- Mixing bowls (small & large)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Kitchen scale (optional but precise)
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper 📝
- Rolling pin
- Bench scraper (great for dough handling)
- Cheese grater (or sharp knife for butter)
- Apple peeler & corer
- Pastry cutter
📝 Ingredients for Omenapiirakka
For the Pie Crust:
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar (a touch of sweetness)
- Fine sea salt
- Unsalted butter (keep it very cold 🧈❄️)
- Ice-cold water
- Sour cream (for extra flaky, tender crust — see substitutes below)
For the Apple Filling:
- Apples (Granny Smiths are ideal, but any variety works!)
- Brown sugar (for caramel-like depth)
- Granulated sugar
- Cinnamon (the star spice of fall 🌟)
- Ground ginger
- Nutmeg
- Cardamom (a Nordic essential!)
🥧 Step-by-Step: How to Make Finnish Apple Pie
🧈 1. Prepare the Flaky Pie Crust
The secret to the best Finnish apple pie crust? Keep everything cold! Here’s how to master it:- Place unsalted butter in the freezer for 10 minutes.
- Add a bowl of water with ice cubes into the freezer as well.
- Once chilled, grate the butter using a cheese grater or slice it into thin shards.
- Return the grated butter to the freezer for another 10 minutes.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt.
- Add the chilled butter to the flour mixture and use a pastry cutter to incorporate until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Slowly add ice water (1 tbsp at a time) and the sour cream, mixing until the dough just holds together.
- Turn the dough onto a cool work surface. Press into a flat disk.
- For extra flakiness: laminate the dough by folding it over itself 3-4 times using a bench scraper.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap, place it in a bag, and chill for at least 6 hours or overnight.
🍏 2. Prepare the Apple Filling & Assemble
- Remove the dough from the fridge to slightly soften.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Peel, core, and slice apples into thin wedges.
- In a large bowl, mix apple slices with brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cardamom.
- Roll out the dough into a large oval, slightly larger than your baking sheet.
- Arrange the apple filling in the center, leaving a 2-inch border.
- Fold over the edges of the dough to partially cover the apples, creating a rustic look.
- Bake for 17-23 minutes, until the crust is golden and the apples are tender.
- Let cool for 5-10 minutes, slice into squares, and enjoy!
❓ FAQs & Tips for Finnish Apple Pie
🥄 How to Serve Omenapiirakka?
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream 🍨 or whipped cream for a decadent dessert.
- Enjoy at room temperature with a cup of coffee ☕ (perfect for a fika moment!).
- It’s also delicious chilled, especially the next day.
🧊 How to Store?
- Keep covered in the refrigerator.
- Best consumed within 2-3 days for peak flavor & texture.
🥄 Can I Substitute Sour Cream?
Absolutely! While sour cream adds richness and flakiness, alternatives include:- Full-fat plain Greek yogurt (similar texture & tang)
- For an authentic Finnish twist: try viili, a traditional Finnish cultured milk product.
- Omit entirely and simply adjust with slightly more ice water, though the texture might be less tender.
✨ Why You'll Love This Finnish Apple Pie Recipe
- No pie dish required – this free-form galette is simple & rustic.
- Bursting with warm spices & apple goodness.
- A perfect way to celebrate autumn & Finnish baking traditions.
- Ideal for beginners and pros alike.
