Sweet & Tangy Li Hing Mui Apple Pie – A Hawaiian Favorite

Mahalo to our friend AARON KOMO for sharing this recipe with us!

Welcome to Snack Hawaii's kitchen, where we're putting a delightful island spin on a timeless classic! This Sweet & Tangy Li Hing Mui Apple Pie is more than just a dessert; it's a true Hawaiian favorite, combining the comforting warmth of traditional apple pie with the iconic sweet, sour, and salty kick of Li Hing Mui. A huge mahalo to our friend Aaron Komo for sharing this incredible Hawaiian dessert recipe with us!

If you've been looking for unique Hawaiian dessert ideas or ways to incorporate Li Hing Mui powder into your baking, this pie is an absolute must-try. The unexpected tang of the Li Hing Mui perfectly complements the sweet apples and buttery crust, creating a flavor profile that's both familiar and excitingly new. It's a perfect way to bring a taste of the islands to your next family gathering or luau.

Aaron's easy-to-follow instructions guide you through making both the flaky crust and the onolicious Li Hing Mui apple filling, ensuring a perfectly balanced treat with every single slice of this Li Hing Apple Pie.

PIE CRUST - Enough for top and bottom of an 8'-10' pie pan

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp sugar
• 16 tbsp unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
• 6 tbsp cold water

Instructions:

1. Combine flour, salt, sugar, and butter in a food processor so that it's blended and crumbly. (Or if you don't have a food processor, use two forks and break and blend in the butter by hand.)

1. Add dry ingredients to a bowl and sprinkle water a tablespoon at a time, working your dough into a ball.

1. Wrap the ball in plastic wrap and store in the freezer for 10 minutes or refrigerate for 30 minutes.

1. Roll out the dough and use your pan to gauge how wide it needs to be - thickness should end up being less than 1/4 inch - and trim to size.

1. Place in pan and set aside rest of dough to decorate the top of your pie.

LI HING MUI APPLE FILLING

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup brown sugar

• 1/4 cup white sugar

• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1 tsp Li Hing Mui powder (Add more to taste and save some to sprinkle on the crust)

• Pinch of salt

• 5-6 apples (e.g., Granny Smith, Fuji, or a mix, peeled and cored)
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 1/2 tsp cornstarch (optional, for thicker filling)
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• Milk as needed (for brushing crust)

Instructions:

1. Mix the sugars, cinnamon, Li Hing Mui powder, and salt in a large bowl.
2. Peel and core the apples. Cut into 1/2 inch thick slices.
3. Toss the apple slices and lemon juice with the dry ingredients until evenly coated.
4. Take the refrigerated pie crust out and use a fork to poke holes throughout the bottom crust.
5. Pour in the apple mixture, piling it higher in the center of the pan.
6. Dot the top of the apple mixture with butter and decorate the top of your pie with the remaining dough, ensuring that air can escape (e.g., lattice top or vents).
7. Refrigerate the pie for at least 15 minutes while you preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
8. Place the pie on a baking sheet, brush the top lightly with milk (optional, for browning) and sprinkle sugar and Li Hing Mui powder for garnish.
9. Bake at 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and bake for another 40-50 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
10. Cool on a rack before eating to allow the filling to set properly.

There you have it – a truly unforgettable Li Hing Mui Apple Pie that's sure to become a new family tradition. The unique Hawaiian twist makes this classic dessert truly special, and the tangy-sweet flavors will keep everyone coming back for more. We hope you enjoy making and sharing this taste of paradise! Don't forget to explore our wide selection of Li Hing MUI products and other authentic Hawaiian snacks at Snack Hawaii.