Apple Terrine: A Delicious, Healthy Dessert Option

Apple terrine is a dessert with a soft, buttery, baked apple flavour. It is often served with ice cream, such as vanilla, burnt-butter, or fresh ginger whipped cream. The apple slices are arranged in a neat layer and can be unpeeled or peeled, depending on the recipe. The dish can be made gluten-free and vegan, and is baked in an oven. It is typically served in slices, with a crisp or crumble base, and a sweet sauce such as caramel, butterscotch, or maple syrup poured over.

Apple terrine ingredients

Apple terrine is a delicious dessert, similar to apple pie without the crust. It is often gluten-free and can be made vegan. It is commonly served with vanilla ice cream, salted thyme caramel, or ginger whipped cream.

Apple Slices:

• Apples: Choose a variety such as Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Gravenstein, or Cox's Orange Pippin. You will need around 18 small or 3 to 3 1/2 pounds of baking apples, depending on the recipe.
• Lemon: To add a tangy flavour and prevent oxidation, apples are often tossed with lemon juice.
• Butter: Melted butter is brushed onto the apple slices before assembling the terrine.

Spices and Sweeteners:

• Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds a warm, spicy note to the dish.
• Nutmeg: A small amount of ground nutmeg enhances the flavour of the apples.
• Allspice: This spice adds a hint of warmth and complexity to the terrine.
• Brown Sugar: Used to sweeten the dish and enhance the caramelisation of the apples.
• Vanilla: Vanilla bean, in the form of seeds scraped from a pod or vanilla paste, adds a delicate, sweet fragrance.

Optional Ingredients:

• Tapioca Starch: Used in one recipe to absorb excess moisture and help bind the ingredients together.
• Walnuts: Coarsely chopped walnuts can be sprinkled on top of the terrine for added texture and flavour.
• Alcohol: Some recipes include alcohol such as brandy or Calvados (apple brandy) to infuse additional flavour.
• Nuts: Crushed almonds and pecans can be included for a crunchy texture.

Apple terrine recipe

Apple terrine is a delicious dessert that can be made in a variety of ways and served with different accompaniments. Here is a recipe for apple terrine with shortbread and salted thyme caramel, followed by some variations.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 3-3 1/2 pounds of baking apples (Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Gravenstein, or Granny Smith)
• 1/4 cup coarsely chopped toasted walnuts
• Fresh ginger whipped cream, for serving
• Butter, melted
• Lemon

Method:

Firstly, preheat your oven to 150˚C (fan). Peel the apples and thinly slice them (about 1mm - 1.5mm thick) using a mandolin. Slice the sides of the apples, rather than across the core. Place the slices in a bowl and toss with lemon juice.

Line a greased loaf tin with greaseproof paper. Arrange the apple slices neatly in the tin, ensuring the bottom layer is close to the edges as this will be the top of the terrine when turned out. Brush each layer with melted butter before adding the next layer of apples.

Once the tin is full and the apples protrude about 1cm above the top, sprinkle over the brown sugar and wrap the tin with foil. Bake for 90 minutes, then remove the foil and cook for a further 30 minutes. Allow the apple terrine to cool, then place another loaf tin on top, weigh it down with some tins, and refrigerate overnight.

To make the shortbread, cream the butter and sugar together, then add the flour and mix until it forms a ball. If needed, add a small dash of water. Roll out the dough between two sheets of baking paper to a thickness of around 1.5mm. Cut into rectangles the same length as the width of the terrine and 2cm wide. Bake at 180˚C for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

For the salted thyme caramel, heat sugar and water in a pan over medium heat without stirring. Heat the sugar to 170˚C, then add the butter and stir. Once melted, add the cream, salt, and thyme, then take the caramel off the heat and let it cool.

To serve, carefully turn out the apple terrine and cut into 2cm-wide slices. Place the slices on top of the shortbread and top with a generous spoonful of warmed caramel. Serve with vanilla ice cream on the side.

Variations:

You can vary this recipe by adding a layer of bread pudding or puff pastry at the bottom of the terrine, as seen in other apple terrine recipes. Additionally, you can serve the apple terrine with vanilla ice cream, butterscotch sauce, or apple crisps.

For a bread pudding layer, mix together almond milk, yogurt, maple syrup, an egg, and vanilla. Incorporate slices of your favorite bread, then spread this mixture on top of the apple layer before baking.

To make puff pastry, roll out the pastry to a 4mm thickness and place it on a lined baking tray. Cover with another sheet of greaseproof paper and a baking tray, then bake at 200˚C for about 20 minutes.

For vanilla ice cream, combine egg yolks, sugar, milk, cream, and vanilla, then churn in an ice cream machine.

Butterscotch sauce can be made by heating sugar in a saucepan over low heat until it forms a caramel. Add water, then whisk in butter, cream, and a pinch of salt.

Apple crisps can be made by slicing a Granny Smith apple into 2mm slices and tossing them with lemon juice. Bring water and sugar to a boil, pour over the apple slices, then dry in the oven at a low temperature for 2-3 hours.

Enjoy experimenting with these different elements to create your ideal apple terrine dessert!

Apple terrine baking instructions

Ingredients

• Apples (Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Gravenstein, or Cox's Orange Pippin)
• Lemon juice
• Butter
• Sugar (white/caster/light brown/date)
• Cinnamon
• Allspice
• Nutmeg
• Vanilla
• Brandy
• Flour (all-purpose/spelt)
• Egg whites
• Oats
• Milk
• Maple syrup
• Cream
• Salt
• Thyme
• Walnuts

Method

First, preheat your oven to around 150-180˚C. Grease and line a loaf tin or terrine mould with greaseproof/baking/parchment paper.

Peel and core your apples, then thinly slice them on a mandoline (around 1-1.5mm thick). Place the slices in a bowl and toss with lemon juice.

Line the tin with the apple slices, making sure the bottom layer is neat and close to the edges, as this will be the top of the terrine when turned out. Brush each layer with melted butter before starting the next. Once the tin is full, sprinkle over the brown sugar and wrap with foil.

Place the tin in the oven and bake for 90 minutes. After this time, remove the foil and cook for a further 30 minutes uncovered. Allow to cool, then place another loaf tin on top of the apples, weigh it down with some tins, and place in the fridge to set overnight.

To make a shortbread base, cream together butter and sugar, then add flour and mix until it forms a ball. Roll out the mixture between two sheets of baking paper to around 1.5mm thick. Cut into rectangles the same length as the width of the terrine and 2cm wide. Place on a baking tray and bake for 20 minutes at 180˚C.

For a caramel sauce, heat sugar and water in a pan on medium heat until the sugar melts. Heat to 170˚C, then add butter and stir. Once melted, add cream, salt, and thyme, then take off the heat and allow to cool.

To serve, turn out the terrine and cut into slices. Place the slices on top of the shortbread and top with a generous spoonful of warmed caramel. Serve with vanilla ice cream on the side.

Apple terrine serving suggestions

Apple terrine is a delicious dessert that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to elevate your apple terrine:

Vanilla Ice Cream

A classic pairing, the cool and creamy vanilla ice cream complements the soft, buttery flavour of the baked apples. This combination is a favourite of renowned chef Raymond Blanc, who serves a compressed apple terrine with vanilla ice cream and apple crisps.

Salted Thyme Caramel and Shortbread

For a more complex flavour profile, serve your apple terrine with a salted thyme caramel sauce and a crisp shortbread base. The buttery, sweet, and savoury notes of the caramel, combined with the crumbly texture of the shortbread, create an indulgent and satisfying contrast to the soft apple terrine.

Oat Crumb and Butterscotch Sauce

For a textural contrast, an oat crumb topping adds a crunchy element to the dish. Accompany this with a rich butterscotch sauce, made with brown sugar, butter, and cream, for a decadent and indulgent dessert experience.

Fresh Ginger Whipped Cream

A refreshing and light option, fresh ginger whipped cream can be served alongside the apple terrine. The tangy and slightly spicy notes of the ginger complement the sweetness of the apples, creating a well-rounded and refreshing dessert.

Bread Pudding

For a heartier dessert, serve the apple terrine with a bread pudding base. The bread pudding can be made with your favourite bread, almond milk, yogurt, maple syrup, and vanilla, creating a comforting and indulgent treat when paired with the apple terrine.

These serving suggestions offer a range of flavours and textures that will enhance your apple terrine, ensuring a delightful dessert experience for you and your guests.

Apple terrine nutritional information

Apple terrine is a dessert that can be made gluten-free and vegan. It is often served with ice cream, such as vanilla, burnt butter, or salted thyme caramel, and a sauce, such as butterscotch or caramel.

The nutritional information for apple terrine will depend on the specific recipe used, but here is an overview of the nutritional content of some common ingredients used in apple terrine recipes:

• Apples: Apples are a good source of dietary fibre, particularly a type called pectin, which can support digestive health and lower cholesterol levels. They also contain vitamins C and K, and various antioxidants, which can help reduce the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and certain types of cancer.
• Cinnamon: Cinnamon is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and has been linked to lower blood sugar levels and improved sensitivity to the hormone insulin, which plays a key role in metabolism and blood sugar control.
• Nuts: Nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, and pecans, are often used in apple terrine recipes. They are a good source of healthy fats, protein, and fibre, and contain a range of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E, magnesium, and phosphorus.
• Spices: Spices like nutmeg and allspice contribute flavour to apple terrine and also have potential health benefits. For example, nutmeg has been used in traditional medicine for its digestive and pain-relieving properties, while allspice has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.
• Dairy: Some apple terrine recipes include dairy products like butter, milk, cream, and egg yolks. These can provide protein, calcium, and vitamins A and D. However, they are also a source of saturated fat and cholesterol, so should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
• Sugar: Sugar is used in apple terrine to add sweetness, but it is high in calories and low in nutritional value, so excessive consumption should be avoided.

When considering the nutritional information for apple terrine, it is important to note that the cooking process can affect the nutritional content of the ingredients. For example, some vitamins and antioxidants may be degraded by heat, while the presence of other compounds in the dish may enhance the absorption of certain nutrients. Additionally, the portion size and frequency of consumption should be taken into account when evaluating the overall nutritional value of apple terrine in the context of a balanced diet.

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