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This quince pie recipe is a simple one, similar to Raspberry Meringue Pie, with quince as the main ingredient.
For those who are not familiar with this fruit, according to Wikipedia.com, the quince resembles a pear in appearance, but its unique taste and texture make it a special fruit. Quince can be enjoyed fresh, or it can be cooked to obtain various desserts or even quince jam, marmalade or even alcoholic drinks.
Choosing the right ingredients for quince pie recipe
I chose to prepare quince pie recipe using a pie crust, a generous layer of quince cooked with a little sugar in the pan, to soften and a top layer of meringue , which brings that extra sweetness needed if you choose to use quince filling for the pie. Even if I use sugar in this recipe, to achieve a wonderful combination between the sweet and sour taste of the quince, my recommendation is to limit yourself to as little sugar as possible.
Full Quince Pie Recipe
Healthy and delicious quince pie recipe – the perfect dessert for any season
Equipment
- 1 Thermomix / Kneading machine / Mixer
- 1 Pan with lid
- 1 Bowl
- 1 Spatula
- 1 Knife
Ingredients
FOR SHORTCRUST:
- 200 g unsalted butter chilled and cut into pieces, plus extra for greasing
- 400 g plain flour plus extra for dusting
- 4 pcs egg yolks
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp natural vanilla extract
- 20 g brown sugar
FOR THE QUINCE PIE FILLING:
- 4 pcs quinces rinsed and peeled;
- 100 g butter cut into pieces;
- 3 tbsp brown sugar / honey;
- Grounded cinnamon;
FOR THE MERINGUE:
- 4 tbsp icing sugar
- 4 pcs egg whites
- ½ tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients for the shortcrust into mixing bowl and mix 30 SEC / SPEED 5; If you don’t have a Thermomix, use a kneading machine or a mixer
- Using your hands, form a ball of pastry and wrap it in plastic foil, then place into the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes to rest;
- Meanwhile, start cooking the quince pie filling. For this, peel and cut the quinces in pieces, then grate them 7 SEC – SPEED 5; If you don’t have a Thermomix, simply use a vegetable grater
- Place a pan on the stove and heat it. Once heated, add the butter and the grated quinces; Add the sugar/ honey for the filling and the cinnamon;
- Mix well and cover the pan with a lid. Let the quince filling cook for 20-30 MINUTED by stirring occasionally;
- Once cooked, leave the quince pie filling to cool; Preheat the oven at 180 °C;
- Take out the shortcrust from the refrigerator and place it on a floured surface; Using a rolling pin, stretch the pastry and place it into a baking tray greased with butter/oil;
- Prick the dough with a fork and place it into the preheated oven for 20 MIN;
- Meanwhile, prepare the meringue. For this, place the butterfly whisk into the mixing bowl; Add the egg whites and the cornstarch and beat them 4 MIN – SPEED 3.5; During this time, add the icing sugar through the lid; If you don’t own a Thermomix, simply use a hand mixer
- Place the quince pie filling on top of the shortcrust, then add the meringue layer, making sure you cover the entire surface of the pie;
- Bake it into the preheated oven for 10-15 MIN at 200 °C, until meringue is slightly brown;
- Let it cool for 30 minutes, then serve this amazing quince pie.
Video
Nutrition
Step-by-step quince pie video recipe
If you need help in crafting this amazing healthy and delicious quince pie, feel free to use the step-by-step video recipe below:
Different types of homemade pie recipes
For those who have visited this blog before, it is well known that I encourage eating at home and home cooking. In addition, I always recommend using the best quality ingredients, as natural and organic as possible.
For this reason, I always try to offer you healthy alternatives, cooked at home, for many dishes that you could find in stores or restaurants.
Thus, for lovers of tarts or pies, I strongly recommend you to try the following recipes:
- for a savory tart, cooked at home with natural ingredients, I recommend you try the homemade cheese and leek tart recipe
- for extremely simple and quick pie, I recommend Pan-Fried Pies recipe
- for sweet tart, besides the recipes already mentioned in the article, I strongly recommend the pear and plum upside-down tart
- last but not least, for a Romanian culinary experience, I strongly recommend you to try Romanian Sweet Cheese Pies, which can be enjoyed both as a simple dessert and as a sweet breakfast, with a glass of warm milk
The secret for the best quince pie recipe
The secret for a delicious quince pie is based on the use of different textures and tastes in a harmonious way, like this:
- a shortcut pastry, which offers a slightly crunchy texture – this can be successfully used for both sweet and savory recipes
- quince pie filling, which consists of a generous layer of quince cooked a little in the pan to soften and create that soft and creamy texture – it is necessary to sweeten the quince a little using brown sugar or honey, according to your preferences
- meringue used as a top layer, to bring extra taste and a fluffy texture to this dessert
Cooking tips for the quince pie recipe
Even if this is a dessert recipe, for which we know that most of the time the steps and the ingredients must be respected, in this case things are a little different.
So, depending on your preferences, you have the freedom to modify this quince pie recipe in several ways:
- you can replace the shortcrust pastry with a simple and fluffy cake dough
- you can replace the quinces with other sour fruits or a combination of several fruits, such as raspberries, plums, apples, pears or even with other plants, such as rhubarb
- for a kidsfriendly recipe, you can replace the sugar with honey, to sweeten the quince layer, and you can eliminate the top layer of meringue
- you also have the possibility to replace the meringue layer with a crumble layer
- if you serve the tart warm, and give up the top layer of meringue, I recommend adding a scoop of vanilla ice-cream, which will perfect the wonderful flavors of this dessert
Health Benefits of quince pie recipe
Quince pie stands out as a dessert that combines the pleasure of a sweet treat with the health benefits of quince. Its rich nutritional profile, including essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, makes it a worthy addition to any diet.
Whether you’re enjoying a cozy family dinner or celebrating a special occasion, quince pie offers a delicious way to enjoy the healthful advantages of this unique fruit, which are:
- Quince is an excellent source of vitamin C, an essential antioxidant that helps boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, and combat free radicals
- It also contains vitamins A and E, contributing to skin health and vision, and a range of B vitamins that support energy metabolism
- Minerals such as potassium, which is vital for heart health, and copper, important for red blood cell formation, are also found in quince
- Quince pie is a relatively low-calorie dessert option
- Quince has been traditionally used for its soothing properties, particularly for the throat and digestive system
I hope you will try this amazing delicious and healthy quince pie recipe. Please remember to share your thoughts, reviews and suggestions in the comment section. Until the next easy and delicious homemade recipe here on the blog, I wish you all a great time spent with your loved ones. Bye 😊
FAQs
What does a quince taste like?
Raw quince has a sour taste, but not as pungent as lemon. Its texture is hard, which is why it is recommended to cook it for use in various dishes. Slightly sweetened, quince becomes a suitable ingredient for sweet and sour dishes.
How do you eat quince?
You can enjoy raw quince, but it will definitely be something different from the fruits we are used to, both in taste and texture. Most often, however, quinces can be enjoyed cooked in advance, for various desserts, jam or marmalade.
How to make quince pie filling?
Quince pie filling is extremely easy to prepare. It is necessary to peel and grate the quince fruit, then will mix it with a little sugar/honey and cook it for 30 minutes in a heated pan with melted butter.
