Dreamy French Custard Pie with Apples Recipe: A Sweet Treat

Golden-brown and silky, this classic french custard pie with apples weaves pure indulgence into every delectable slice.

Paris bakeries have perfected this creamy dessert for generations.

Rich custard meets tender apples in a buttery, flaky crust that whispers elegance.

Delicate flavors dance across the palate with each smooth bite.

The recipe balances sweetness and texture in a harmonious celebration of French pastry tradition.

Bakers of all skill levels can recreate this stunning dessert that captures the essence of Parisian culinary artistry.

Serve this pie warm and watch eyes light up with pure delight.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes

Calories: 276 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients in French Custard Pie with Apples (Flan Parisien)

• Flour: Provides structure and tender crumb, choose unbleached all-purpose flour for best texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with golden browning, opt for fine granulated sugar.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine sea salt.

• Eggs: Binding agent that creates rich, creamy consistency, select fresh large eggs at room temperature.
• Cream: Delivers luxurious richness and smooth mouthfeel, pick heavy whipping cream with high fat content.
• Milk: Adds moisture and softens texture, whole milk works best for maximum creaminess.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces deep, aromatic flavor, choose pure vanilla for authentic taste.

• Apples: Brings fresh, tangy contrast to custard, select firm baking varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold shape during cooking.
• Parchment Paper: Ensures easy removal and prevents sticking, use unbleached parchment for best results.

Kitchen Essentials for Flan Parisien with Apples

• Whisk: Essential for mixing batter smoothly and evenly.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining all ingredients comfortably.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Parchment paper: Helps line the pan and ensures easy pie removal.
• 7.5-inch round cake pan: Specific size for creating the perfect custard pie.
• Sharp knife: Needed for thinly slicing apples with precision.
• Skewer or toothpick: Used to check pie's doneness by testing the center.
• Foil: Optional for covering pie if browning too quickly.

Instructions for French Custard Pie with Apples

• Apple Custard Landscape

A delightful French-inspired dessert featuring a silky smooth custard base with delicate apple slices creating a beautiful rustic design.

• Batter Preparation

Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Gently incorporate eggs, cream, milk, and vanilla extract until the mixture transforms into a velvety liquid with no lumps.

• Chilling Pause

Allow the batter to rest in the refrigerator for one hour, letting the ingredients mingle and develop deep, rich flavors.

• Oven and Pan Setup

Warm the oven to 325°F. Line a round cake pan with parchment paper, creating easy edges for removing the finished dessert.

• Layering Magic

Pour the chilled batter into the prepared pan. Elegantly arrange thin apple slices across the surface, creating a beautiful pattern that will peek through the golden custard.

• Baking Journey

Place the pie in the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. Watch for a perfect golden color and test with a skewer – it should emerge clean when the custard is perfectly set.

• Cooling and Serving

Let the pie rest in the pan for 15-20 minutes to stabilize. Carefully lift out using parchment paper edges. Slice and serve at a comfortable temperature, enjoying the creamy texture and sweet apple notes.

Flan Parisien Tips & Flavor Tweaks

• Swap apples with pears, plums, or berries for a delightful flavor twist that transforms the classic flan parisien into a seasonal sensation.
• Sprinkle ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom into the batter to elevate the custard's aromatic profile and create a more complex taste experience.
• Strain the batter through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps, ensuring an ultra-smooth, silky custard that melts in your mouth with every bite.
• Prepare the batter the night before and refrigerate overnight to develop richer flavors and save precious morning preparation time. The longer resting period allows ingredients to blend more harmoniously.
• Dust the cooled pie with powdered sugar, drizzle with caramel sauce, or top with fresh whipped cream to add a stunning final touch that impresses both eyes and taste buds.

Serve French Custard Pie with Apples Gracefully

• Elegant Brunch Centerpiece: Showcase this delicate French custard pie as the star of your weekend brunch spread, pairing it with fresh coffee or delicate tea.
• Weekend Dessert Delight: Slice the pie into elegant wedges and serve after a cozy family dinner, garnishing with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream.
• Seasonal Apple Twist: Enhance the pie with seasonal variations by using different apple types like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith, creating a unique flavor profile for each occasion.
• Afternoon Tea Companion: Present the custard pie as a sophisticated accompaniment to afternoon tea, complementing the delicate flavors with a soft, creamy texture that melts in your mouth.

Best Storage for Flan Parisien Leftovers

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Keep your French custard pie covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, maintaining its delicate texture and preventing moisture loss. Always use an airtight container to protect the delicate custard from absorbing other food odors.
• Convenient Freezing Option: Slice the pie into individual portions before freezing. Wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. These individual portions can stay frozen for approximately 2 weeks, offering quick dessert solutions for unexpected guests or sudden sweet cravings.
• Temperature Revival Technique: When ready to enjoy frozen slices, transfer them to the refrigerator overnight for gentle thawing. For a slightly warmed serving, place the slice in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes, which helps restore the custard's original creamy consistency without compromising its delicate structure.
• Room Temperature Wisdom: Allow the freshly baked pie to cool completely at room temperature before storing. Never seal a warm dessert, as trapped condensation can create unwanted sogginess and potentially compromise the pie's delightful texture.

Silky French Custard Pie with Apples

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4.7 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Classic french custard pie with apples (flan parisien) combines silky vanilla custard with caramelized apple slices in a buttery crust. Rich flavors from Paris create a delightful dessert you will savor with each creamy, warm bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1 pie crust (homemade or store-bought)
• 5 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• ¾ cup (90 g) all-purpose flour
• ⅔ cup (133 g) white granulated sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• 2 medium apples (peeled and sliced)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Whisk flour, sugar, salt, eggs, cream, milk, and vanilla extract in a large bowl until smooth and lump-free, creating a silky custard base.
2. Resting: Refrigerate the custard mixture for one hour to allow flour to fully absorb liquid and develop rich flavors, enhancing overall texture and taste.
3. Oven Setup: Preheat oven to 325°F (170°C), line a 7.5-inch round pan with parchment paper, ensuring extended edges for easy removal.
4. Assembly: Gently restir the chilled custard, pour into prepared pan, distributing evenly across the surface.
5. Apple Placement: Artfully layer thinly sliced apples atop the custard, creating an elegant and uniform design that promises delightful flavor integration.
6. Baking Process: Slide the pan into preheated oven, bake 45-50 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a skewer into the center – it should emerge completely clean.
7. Browning Protection: If top browns too quickly, loosely tent with aluminum foil without touching the custard surface.
8. Cooling: Let the pie rest in the pan for 15-20 minutes, allowing the delicate custard structure to stabilize and set properly.
9. Serving: Lift the pie from the pan using parchment paper edges, slice into portions, and serve warm or chilled according to preference.

Notes

• Chill Custard Wisely: Rest the mixture for at least 1 hour to allow flour to fully absorb liquid, creating a smoother, more refined texture without lumps.
• Prevent Burning Beautifully: Keep aluminum foil nearby to gently cover the pie if the top browns too quickly, protecting the delicate custard surface.
• Check Doneness Precisely: Use a clean, thin skewer inserted into the center to confirm perfect baking – it should come out completely clean without any wet custard residue.
• Serve with Flexibility: Enjoy the pie warm or chilled, allowing versatile serving options that suit different taste preferences and occasions.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 276
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 123 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 108 mg