Discover how to make Plăcintă cu Mere, a beloved Romanian apple pie with a thin, flaky crust. This traditional recipe features a sweet, spiced apple filling encased in a delicate pastry. Perfect for dessert or a comforting treat, this easy-to-follow recipe will guide you through creating this classic dish from scratch. Enjoy a taste of Romania with this delicious apple pie that combines simple ingredients with authentic flavors.

Ingredients:

For the crust:

 - 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

 - 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into cubes

 - ¼ cup granulated sugar

 - ¼ teaspoon salt

 - 1 large egg

 - 2-3 tablespoons ice water (as needed)

For the filling:

 - 6 cups apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (e.g., Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)

 - ¾ cup granulated sugar

 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

 - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice

 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

For assembly:

 - 1 egg yolk, beaten (for egg wash)

 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (for sprinkling)

Instructions:

Prepare the crust:

 - In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Add chilled butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work it into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

 - Beat the egg and add it to the mixture. Stir until combined. Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough begins to come together.

 - Divide the dough into two equal portions, flatten into discs, and wrap each in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Prepare the filling:

 - In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Set aside.

Assemble the pie:

 - Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disc to fit a 9-inch pie dish. Transfer the rolled dough to the dish and trim any excess.

 - Pour the apple filling into the pie crust and dot with small pieces of butter.

 - Roll out the second dough disc and place it over the filling. Trim and crimp the edges to seal. Cut a few slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.

 - Brush the top with beaten egg yolk and sprinkle with granulated sugar.

 - Bake the pie:

 - Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.

 - Allow the pie to cool on a wire rack before serving.

Enjoy your homemade Plăcintă cu Mere with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a delightful treat!

Nutritional Values

All-Purpose Flour (2 ½ cups)

  - Calories: Approximately 1,140

  - Carbohydrates: 240 g

  - Protein: 30 g

  - Fat: 3 g

Benefits:

  - Provides structure and texture for the crust.

  - Contains B vitamins and iron.

Unsalted Butter (1 cup, chilled and cut into cubes)

  - Calories: Approximately 810

  - Fat: 92 g

  - Carbohydrates: 0 g

  - Protein: 1 g

Benefits:

  - Adds richness and flakiness to the crust.

  - Provides vitamin A and essential fatty acids.

Granulated Sugar (¼ cup)

  - Calories: Approximately 200

  - Carbohydrates: 50 g

  - Fat: 0 g

  - Protein: 0 g

Benefits:

  - Sweetens the dough and enhances flavor.

  - Provides quick energy.

Salt (¼ teaspoon)

  - Sodium: Approximately 575 mg

Benefits:

  - Enhances flavor and balances sweetness.

  - Should be used in moderation due to high sodium content.

Large Egg (1)

  - Calories: Approximately 70

  - Protein: 6 g

  - Fat: 5 g

  - Carbohydrates: 1 g

Benefits:

  - Binds the dough and adds richness.

  - Provides protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Ice Water (2-3 tablespoons, as needed)

  - Calories: 0

  - Carbohydrates: 0 g

  - Protein: 0 g

  - Fat: 0 g

Benefits:

  - Helps in forming the dough without melting the fat.

Apples (6 cups, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced)

  - Calories: Approximately 300

  - Carbohydrates: 80 g

  - Fiber: 12 g

  - Protein: 0.6 g

  - Fat: 0.6 g

Benefits:

  - Provides natural sweetness and texture.

  - Rich in dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, and antioxidants.

Granulated Sugar (¾ cup)

  - Calories: Approximately 600

  - Carbohydrates: 150 g

  - Fat: 0 g

  - Protein: 0 g

Benefits:

  - Enhances sweetness in the filling.

  - Provides energy.

All-Purpose Flour (2 tablespoons)

  - Calories: Approximately 60

  - Carbohydrates: 15 g

  - Protein: 2 g

  - Fat: 0 g

Benefits:

  - Thickens the filling.

  - Contains B vitamins and iron.

Ground Cinnamon (1 teaspoon)

  - Calories: Approximately 6

  - Carbohydrates: 2 g

  - Protein: 0.1 g

  - Fat: 0.1 g

Benefits:

  - Adds flavor and aroma.

  - Contains antioxidants and may help with blood sugar regulation.

Ground Nutmeg (¼ teaspoon)

  - Calories: Approximately 2

  - Carbohydrates: 0.5 g

  - Protein: 0.1 g

  - Fat: 0.1 g

Benefits:

  - Adds warmth and spice to the filling.

  - Contains antioxidants and may have anti-inflammatory properties.

Lemon Juice (1 tablespoon)

  - Calories: Approximately 8

  - Carbohydrates: 2 g

  - Protein: 0.1 g

  - Fat: 0 g

Benefits:

  - Adds brightness and enhances flavors.

  - Provides vitamin C and aids in preserving the apples' color.

Unsalted Butter (1 tablespoon, cut into small pieces)

  - Calories: Approximately 100

  - Fat: 11 g

  - Carbohydrates: 0 g

  - Protein: 0.1 g

Benefits:

  - Adds richness and flavor to the filling.

Egg Yolk (1, beaten, for egg wash)

  - Calories: Approximately 55

  - Protein: 3 g

  - Fat: 4.5 g

  - Carbohydrates: 0.5 g

Benefits:

  - Provides a glossy finish to the crust.

  - Adds richness and a golden color.

Granulated Sugar (1 tablespoon, for sprinkling)

  - Calories: Approximately 50

  - Carbohydrates: 13 g

  - Fat: 0 g

  - Protein: 0 g

Benefits:

  - Adds a sweet crunch and enhances the crust’s appearance.

This breakdown gives an overview of the nutritional aspects and benefits of each ingredient in your recipe.