McDonald’s is a dazzling yellow icon of American society, offering quick service, being omnipresent, and having humble beginnings. The apple pie, brought here from overseas, shaped by immigrant communities, and diffused throughout the world as a result of globalisation, is this intricately bound to American identity. Let us know about ‘McDonald Apple Pie’.
So, since nothing symbolises the American economy like McDonald’s, similarly nothing symbolises American pie like McDonald’s, may we infer that McDonald’s apple pies are by far the most American of all apple pies? Perhaps a big statement, but McDonald’s apple pie has been an iconic American fast-food treat for well over half a century. The legendary apple pie, the very first dessert publicly provided at McDonald’s countrywide, has lingered on, even as menu options such as the McPizza, Seafood McBites, and McSpaghetti have come and gone. It’s survived several transformations, most notably the disastrous, much-debated switch from frying to baking in the 1990s. But, as adored as the small pie in a paper bag has now become, there are insights lurking behind its doughy crust that you may be unaware of.
The actual recipe
It was inspired by somebody’s mother’s apple pie recipe. Ray Kroc, the father of McDonald’s, was in a dilemma in the early 1960s. By all accounts, his burgers, hamburgers, and french fries were a raging success. But what about his trials with kolackies, cakes, berry cakes, and other quick desserts? Not at all. He didn’t have much success with them. As Kroc sought inspiration for dessert ideas, a Tennessee McDonald’s store owner chose to approach his mother. Litton Cochran enjoyed the small fried pies his mother used to make for him when he returned from school as a kid in Knoxville. When Cochran opened Knoxville’s first Mcd’s in 1960, he recruited his mother and sister as dessert cooks to produce the apple pies he adored. It wasn’t long until the warm scent of Knoxville McDonald’s apple pies hit Kroc’s senses. The dessert was added to the regular McDonald’s cuisine in 1968 and was available at McDonald’s outlets across the United States by the 1970s.
Fantastic Filling
Yes, McDonald’s uses a lot of apples in its pies, but it’s not simply that it provides the pie with its rich flavour. McDonald’s adds an extra flavour to the filling by using a special thickening agent. Many pie fillings contain a thickening ingredient that is treated to keep the interior jelly-like and in shape. McDonald’s, on the other hand, employs dried apple powder. The powder not only thickens the filling but also gives that delicious apple flavour. Over the years, McDonald’s has released a variety of pies, including cherry pie, strawberry and crème, and seasonal pies, but none have ever been as popular as the original apple pie.
It’s vegan!
The McDonald’s apple pie vegan well before it had its second healthy modification. For a long time, the apple pie remained McDonald’s only vegan item, apart from beverages and dressing-free side salads
McDonald’s Apple pie price
$1.44 — Apple Pie
$1.10 — Baked Apple Pie
$2.28 — Apple, Pumpkin, and Crème Pie
Recipe for McDonald’s Classic
McDonald Baked Apple Pie recipe calls for 100% American-grown apples, as well as a honeycomb crust baked to perfection and coated with sugar. McDonald’s apple pie contains 230 calories. Use puff pastry to maintain the crunchy and buttery texture. Puff pastry makes it easier and simpler to cook. Serve with homemade caramel sauce for added pleasure.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 sliced apples,
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 lemon juice
- all-purpose flour
- 1 sheet chilled puff pastry
- whipped egg white
- Sugar with cinnamon
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 400° and ready a large baking sheet with wax paper.
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Combine the apples, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and lemon juice in a bowl and mix. Bring to a boil and cook for 8 minutes, or until the apples are tender and most of the liquid has evaporated. Allow it to cool.
- Roll out puff pastry to a 12″ square on a floured surface table. Cut into 8 rectangles.
- Fill the inside with apples, leaving a 14-inch border around the puff pastry.
Pinch the edges with a fork.
- Cut four slices onto the tops of each pie using a knife or kitchen scissors.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar after brushing with egg wash.
- Bake the pies in the preheated pan until golden for 25 minutes.
Conclusion
Whether you like it or not, McDonald is among the world’s most successful fast-food businesses, and its apple pie is loved as much as anything. Considering the American obesity problem and their love for fast food McDonald’s is trying to make its fast food healthier for its customers.
FAQ
- Is apple pie McDonald’s first dessert?
Yes, McDonald’s apple pie is their first dessert. It first appeared around 1968 and has remained popular ever since.
- Is it vegan?
Yes. It is their only vegan item.
- Who was the inspiration for the recipe for apple pie?
It was Litton Cochran’s mother’s recipe and she was the inspiration behind it.
