A timeless Irish dessert
Gently spiced apples, whiskey-soaked fruit and golden pastry, served with silky brown butter ice cream. Rich, nostalgic and deeply comforting.
Ingredients
Apple & Whiskey filling
10 apples, peeled and cored
200g sultanas
100ml Irish whiskey
250g brown sugar
50g Kerrygold butter
1sp cinnamon powder
1 egg beaten
Pastry
500g plain flour
250g Kerrygold butter
100g sugar
2 eggs
Brown bread ice cream
225ml double cream
225ml milk
100ml Kerrygold butter, browned
5 egg yolks
125g caster sugar
A pinch of sea salt
Method
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1For the pastry: combine the flour and butter together in a food processor until you have the texture of breadcrumbs. Add the sugar and eggs until everything comes together. Wrap the pastry with cling film and chill.
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2To brown the butter: Place cubed Kerrygold butter into a light-coloured pan/pot over a medium heat to ensure the butter cooks evenly. Stir the butter as it melts, it will foam and sizzle around the edges. Keep stirring for approx. 5/6 minutes until the butter is golden brown and the milk solids on the bottom of the pan toast resulting in an intense buttery, nutty aroma.
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3To make the ice cream: put the cream and milk into a small pan and bring to the boil. Whisk the yolks and sugar together in a heatproof bowl with the salt. Pour the cream-and-milk mixture over the yolks, whisking all the time. Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water and whisk for about 10 minutes until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Put into an ice cream machine with the brown butter and churn until set.
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4Place the sultanas into a pan with the whiskey. Bring to a simmer, then leave to one side.
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5Cut the apples into large wedges and melt the butter in a heavy-based pan. Toss the apples in the butter, then add 200g of sugar, the cinnamon powder and a splash of whiskey. Cook the apples for a few minutes until nicely coloured, then place in a sieve to drain away excess juices. Combine with the sultanas.
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6Grease a tart tin. Roll two-thirds of the pastry to the thickness of a coin and line the ring. Chill for at least 20 mins. Prick pastry with a fork, then bake blind in the oven for around 10 mins. Brush with beaten egg, then return to the oven for 5 mins.
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7Add the apple mixture. Roll a lid for the tart with the remaining pastry and place on top of the tart, egg washing the edges. Score the top, egg wash and sprinkle with the remaining sugar.
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8Bake in a preheated oven at 170ºC for 20-30 mins, until the top is golden.