Apple pie is one of those delicious, comforting desserts that’s perfect for the festive season. But if you’re under the pump this year and don’t want to pull out all the stops, try this simple cheat’s version with golden syrup filling! Even though this recipe is much easier than a traditional apple pie, the end product definitely doesn’t lack any of that classic flavour.

Serves 6

Ingredients

• 125g butter, chilled, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups self-raising flour
• 1/3 cup almond meal
• 1/4 cup caster sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tbsp iced water
  Filling
• 5 green apples (500g), peeled, cored
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp golden syrup
• 20g butter
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1 egg white, lightly beaten
• White sugar, to decorate
• Vanilla ice-cream or double cream, to serve

Method

1. Make shortcake pastry: using a food processor, process butter, flour, almond meal and sugar until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add egg yolk and iced water. Process until dough just comes together. Shape into a disc. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm.
2. Preheat oven to 200C/180C fan-forced.
3. Cut each apple into 12 wedges. Place brown sugar, golden syrup, butter and ground ginger in a 5cm-deep, 22cm-wide flameproof, ovenproof frying pan. Cook, stirring, for 4 to 5 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Add apple. Cook for 1 minute, tossing to coat. Remove from heat.
4. Roll dough between 2 sheets of baking paper until 3mm thick and large enough to cover top of pan. Place pastry over apples in pan. Trim edge. Tuck cut edge around apple. Brush top of pastry with egg white and sprinkle with white sugar.
5. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden and apple is tender. Serve with ice-cream or double cream.