This apple flan, flavoured with lemon zest and cinnamon, makes a spectacular autumnal dessert. Although very simple, if care is taken with the presentation, it has great visual appeal and can command a premium price.

 

Basic ingredients

Sweetpaste

Cinnamon paste

Frangipane mix

Apple pie filling

Apples

Apricot glaze

 

1 Line eight-inch or 10-inch rings with sweetpaste and bake blind for about 10 minutes. Cool on a rack.

2 Spread a thin layer of cinnamon paste over the base of the flan case.

3 Pipe a ring of frangipane/almond cake mix around the edge of the flan (approx 15mm thick) so it comes up to two-thirds of the height of the flan case. The frangipane acts as a ’support’ to the pastry as well as tasting good!

4 Fill the flan with apple mix. We use Mackle Bramley apple and mix it with chunks of fresh apples, cinnamon, lemon zest and raisins.

5 Peel and core the apples and slice into thin (2mm) rings - we use an electric slicer. Carefully lay out the apple rings on the top of the mix. Ensure that they generously overlap to allow for shrinkage during baking and that they sit under the rim of the pastry case. Brush with a little melted butter.

7 Dust with fine icing sugar.

8 Bake at 170ºC for about 40 minutes, cool and then glaze with an apricot jam or gel.