Description: Learn how to make a rustic apple galette with a golden sourdough crust and flaky homemade pie dough. This easy apple galette recipe brings cozy fall flavors straight to your kitchen. Perfect for gatherings or an afternoon treat.
A Cozy Fall Memory and the Magic of a Rustic Sourdough Apple Galette Recipe
The Heartwarming Story Behind My Favorite Fall Dessert
There’s something magical about that first crisp fall morning—the rustle of amber leaves, the scent of wood smoke, and the comforting urge to bake something warm and sweet. My love affair with this Rustic Sourdough Apple Galette Recipe began one such morning, when a basket of orchard-fresh apples sat temptingly on the counter and my sourdough starter bubbled quietly nearby. The combination felt meant to be: tart apples married with the subtle tang of sourdough, all wrapped in a golden, buttery crust that crackles at the touch.
As the galette baked, my kitchen filled with the irresistible aroma of cinnamon and caramelized apples—a scent that can only be described as pure autumn bliss. I remember pulling the galette from the oven, its juices bubbling gently at the edges, and feeling that undeniable sense of home. This easy apple galette recipe captures everything I love about rustic baking: simplicity, warmth, and a touch of imperfection that makes it all the more beautiful.
From that day on, this apple galette recipe became my go-to comfort bake—a treat that bridges the seasons and celebrates the art of slowing down. Whether shared with friends over coffee or enjoyed warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, every slice tastes like a love letter to fall.
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Rustic Sourdough Apple Galette Recipe with Flaky Homemade Pie Crust
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 1 galette 1x
Description
A cozy fall-inspired galette featuring tart and sweet apples nestled in a flaky sourdough crust. Easy to make and perfect for gatherings or an afternoon treat.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Combine flour and salt in a bowl, cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs
2. Stir in sourdough starter discard, then add ice-cold water a tablespoon at a time until dough just holds together
3. Gather dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 45 minutes
4. Lightly flour surface, roll chilled dough into a roughly 12-inch circle and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet
5. In a skillet, sauté apple slices with butter, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon juice until slightly softened, then cool
6. Arrange apple filling in the center of dough, leaving a 2-inch border, fold edges over the fruit
7. Brush crust with egg wash, sprinkle raw sugar over crust and apples
8. Bake at 400°F for 35 to 45 minutes until crust is golden and juices bubble
9. Transfer galette to a wire rack, cool for 15 minutes and serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: dessert
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 slices
Keywords: rustic sourdough apple galette, easy apple galette, rustic pie crust, apple pie galette, rustic apple galette, homemade pie crust, fall dessert
Why a Rustic Pie Crust Brings Out the Best in This Apple Galette
What makes a rustic pie crust so special is its carefree charm. It doesn’t demand precision or perfection—just honest ingredients and a gentle hand. The edges fold naturally over the apples, creating those imperfect ripples that give each rustic apple galette its unique personality. Beneath that charming exterior lies the secret to its appeal: a flaky, buttery texture that shatters delicately with each bite.
By blending sourdough discard into the dough, you take that flakiness up a notch. The sourdough imparts a faint, savory tang that perfectly balances the sweetness of the apples, while also helping the crust bake to a deep golden brown. It’s a beautiful interplay of texture and flavor—the crisp outer edges, the tender center, and the gooey spiced apple filling that ties everything together.
This Rustic Sourdough Apple Galette Recipe proves that baking doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, the beauty of a rustic pie crust lies in its authenticity—its uneven folds, hand-rolled charm, and cozy, homemade flavor. It’s the perfect reminder that sometimes, the most delicious things in life are also the simplest.
Building Flavor: Ingredients for a Flaky Homemade Pie Crust with Sourdough
Essential Ingredients for the Sourdough Pie Crust
Every Rustic Sourdough Apple Galette Recipe starts with a strong foundation—a perfectly flaky, buttery crust that carries all those sweet apple flavors. This sourdough pie crust is simple but unforgettable, and it uses pantry staples you likely already have on hand.
- 1 cup (about 130 g) all-purpose flour – choose a high-quality unbleached flour for the best texture.
- ½ cup (about 1 stick) unsalted butter – cold, cubed, and rich in fat to create those irresistible flaky layers.
- ¼ cup sourdough starter discard – this adds that subtle tang and tender bite unique to sourdough baking.
- Pinch of salt – enhances flavor and structure.
- 2–4 tablespoons of ice-cold water – added gradually until the dough just comes together.
Butter Tip: Use cold, European-style butter if possible. Its higher fat content delivers a deeper, richer flavor that complements the apple filling beautifully. Handle the butter as little as possible—every unmelted butter flake becomes a delicate crisp layer when baked.
Flour Tip: For a more rustic texture, replace about ¼ of the flour with whole wheat pastry flour. It gives the crust a nutty depth while keeping it tender.
Ingredients for the Caramelized Apple Filling
The soul of this easy apple galette recipe lies in the filling—a blend of tart and sweet apples, kissed with caramelized sugar and a whisper of warm spice.
- 4 medium apples (about 1½ pounds) – try a mix of Honeycrisp and Granny Smith.
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter.
- ¼ cup granulated or light brown sugar.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Pinch of nutmeg and sea salt.
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice.
Blending apple varieties gives balance—Honeycrisp adds sweetness and juiciness, while Granny Smith lends tang. Briefly sautéing the slices in butter and sugar before baking concentrates flavor and prevents sogginess in your apple pie galette.
Must-Have Kitchen Tools for Making an Easy Apple Galette Recipe
Baking Tools and Utensils Checklist
- Mixing bowls – one for dough, one for filling.
- Rolling pin – for shaping your rustic pie crust evenly.
- Pastry cutter or food processor – to cut butter into flour quickly.
- Parchment paper – prevents sticking and simplifies transfer.
- Baking sheet – preferably rimmed to catch juices.
- Pastry brush – for egg wash and finishing touches.
- Sharp knife or apple slicer – for precise, even apple slices.
Pro Tips for Preparing Your Workspace
- Keep all ingredients cold for maximum flakiness.
- Dust the surface lightly with flour to prevent sticking.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Use a wire rack for cooling after baking.
Having everything ready transforms baking this Rustic Sourdough Apple Galette Recipe into a calm, enjoyable process, every bit as rewarding as the final golden result.
Crafting the Flaky Homemade Sourdough Pie Crust
Mixing and Chilling the Dough
Combine flour and salt, then cut in the chilled butter until you have coarse crumbs with visible pieces of butter. Stir in the sourdough discard, then drizzle in ice water slowly until the dough just holds when pressed. Shape into a disk, wrap, and refrigerate 45 minutes or longer. This rest firms the butter, hydrates the dough, and ensures a tender, flaky homemade pie crust perfect for your rustic apple galette.
Rolling Out the Dough for That Rustic Look
Place the chilled dough on floured parchment. Roll from center out to roughly a 12-inch circle about ⅛ inch thick. Patch cracks gently—imperfection is part of the easy apple galette recipe charm. Slide parchment and dough onto a baking sheet and chill briefly while preparing the apples.
Filling, Folding, and Baking the Perfect Apple Galette
Assembling and Filling with Caramelized Apples
Spoon the caramelized apple mixture into the dough center, leaving a 2-inch border. Fold edges over the apples in gentle pleats. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle coarse sugar for shine and crunch. The folds give your rustic pie crust its distinctive, hand-shaped look that bakes into golden, crisp waves around the fruit.
Baking and Serving the Golden Sourdough Apple Galette
Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 35–45 minutes until the crust turns deep golden and juices bubble at the seams. Rotate midway for even color, tent if browning too fast. Cool 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream—the buttery flakes and spiced fruit capture the heart of autumn in every bite of this apple pie galette.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rustic Sourdough Apple Galette Recipe
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Yes. The dough keeps chilled up to two days or frozen for two months. Resting deepens flavor and makes this easy apple galette recipe even more convenient to enjoy anytime.
What Apples Work Best for a Rustic Apple Galette?
Use a mix of Granny Smith for tang, Honeycrisp for sweetness, and Pink Lady or Fuji for softer floral notes. The combination ensures your rustic sourdough apple galette has both bright and buttery depth in every bite.
Can I Freeze the Galette Before Baking?
Absolutely. Assemble and freeze on a parchment-lined tray until firm, wrap well, and store up to two months. Bake straight from the freezer at 400°F (200°C), adding about 10 minutes to bake time. It comes out just as crisp and fragrant as freshly made.
How Do I Keep the Crust From Getting Soggy?
Partially cook apples first to remove moisture, dust the dough lightly with flour or ground almonds before adding filling, and bake on the lower oven rack for best bottom crispness. These small steps ensure the rustic pie crust stays crisp and flaky.
Bringing It All Together – Conclusion
A Rustic Treat That Feels Like Home
Baking this Rustic Sourdough Apple Galette Recipe from scratch celebrates everything beautiful about simple, honest food. The sourdough lends golden color and gentle tang to the rustic pie crust, while the warm apple filling fills your kitchen with comfort. Each fold and imperfection adds heart—proof that joy in baking lies not in precision, but in care.
Whether served warm to friends or enjoyed alone by a window on a cool day, this rustic apple galette delivers that sense of home in every flaky, buttery bite. True comfort, baked fresh from your own hands.
Keywords: Rustic Sourdough Apple Galette Recipe, easy apple galette recipe, rustic pie crust, apple pie galette, rustic apple galette
