Quince Pie Recipe

Learn how to make the best homemade quince pie with this easy baking recipe. Featuring a buttery, flaky crust and delicately spiced quince filling, this pie showcases the unique floral-apple flavor of this often overlooked fruit. The secret is in pre-cooking the quince until tender before baking.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Prep Time:
45 mins
Cook Time:
1 hour 15 mins
Serves:
1 pie (8 slices)
An overhead shot of a rustic quince pie with a beautifully latticed golden-brown top crust, revealing glimpses of the amber-hued quince filling through the gaps. Soft natural light highlights the glistening sugar crystals sprinkled across the pastry's surface. A slice has been removed, exposing the tender quince pieces suspended in their own naturally thickened syrup. The pie rests on a weathered wooden board, accompanied by a small pitcher of cream and a scattering of fresh quince slices and cinnamon sticks. Steam rises gently from the cut section, emphasizing the warm, spiced aroma of this seasonal treat.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">For the pastry:</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">300g plain flour</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">150g cold unsalted butter, cubed</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp caster sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">½ tsp salt</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 egg, beaten</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2-3 tbsp ice-cold water</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">For the filling:</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1kg quinces (about 4-5 medium fruits)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">150g caster sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">80g light brown sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 vanilla pod, seeds scraped (or 2 tsp vanilla extract)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 star anise</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 cinnamon stick</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">3 cloves</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Zest and juice of 1 lemon</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">25g cornflour (cornstarch)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">For finishing:</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 egg, beaten with 1 tbsp milk</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tbsp demerara sugar</li></ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">23cm (9-inch) pie dish</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Rolling pin</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Pastry brush</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Heavy-bottomed saucepan</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Vegetable peeler</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Pie weights or dried beans</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Pastry cutter (optional)</li></ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Begin by making the pastry. Place the flour, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Add the cold cubed butter and rub it into the flour using your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Working with cold butter is crucial as it creates steam pockets during baking, resulting in flaky layers.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Add the beaten egg and gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing with a knife until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overwork the dough as this develops gluten, making your pastry tough rather than tender. Form the dough into a disc, wrap in cling film, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>While the pastry chills, prepare the quinces. Peel, quarter and core the fruits (they're quite hard, so work carefully). Slice each quarter into 1cm thick pieces. Quinces discolor quickly, so place them in a bowl of cold water with a squeeze of lemon juice as you work.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the sliced quinces, both sugars, vanilla, spices, lemon zest, and 200ml water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the quinces are tender but still hold their shape. They should turn a beautiful rosy-amber color – this is completely natural and shows they're perfectly cooked.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Remove the whole spices. Mix the cornflour with the lemon juice to create a slurry, then stir this into the hot quince mixture. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes until thickened. The filling should coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely – hot filling would melt your pastry before baking.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Preheat your oven to 190°C (170°C fan/375°F). Remove the chilled pastry from the refrigerator and divide it into two portions, one slightly larger than the other (approximately 60% for the base, 40% for the top).</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>On a lightly floured surface, roll out the larger piece of pastry to a circle about 3-4mm thick and large enough to line your pie dish with some overhang. Gently lift the pastry into the dish, pressing it into the corners without stretching. Trim the excess, leaving a small overhang which helps prevent shrinkage during baking.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Fill the pastry case with the cooled quince mixture, mounding it slightly higher in the center. Roll out the remaining pastry for the top. You can either cover completely with a solid piece (cutting steam vents) or create a lattice pattern for a more decorative finish. If making a lattice, cut the rolled pastry into 2cm strips and weave them over the filling.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>Brush the rim of the bottom pastry with beaten egg to help seal the layers. Place your top crust or lattice over the filling, pressing gently around the edges to seal. Trim any excess and crimp the edges decoratively using your fingers or a fork.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 10</h4>Brush the top pastry with the egg and milk mixture, which creates a beautiful golden color during baking. Sprinkle with demerara sugar for a crunchy, caramelized finish. If using a solid top crust, cut a few slits in the center to allow steam to escape.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 11</h4>Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes until the pastry is deep golden and the filling is bubbling. If the edges start to brown too quickly, cover them loosely with foil. The bottom of the pie should sound hollow when tapped, indicating it's fully cooked.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 12</h4>Allow the pie to cool for at least 2 hours before slicing – this crucial resting period allows the filling to set properly. Serve warm or at room temperature with a dollop of crème fraîche or vanilla ice cream. The pie will keep for 2-3 days covered at room temperature, though the pastry is at its flakiest on the day of baking.</li></ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Quince Pie Recipe?

The main ingredients include quinces, plain flour, butter, caster sugar, brown sugar, warming spices (cinnamon, star anise, cloves), lemon, cornflour, eggs, and demerara sugar for finishing. This creates a perfect balance of floral-apple flavours with buttery pastry.

How to cook Quince Pie Recipe at home?

Learn how to cook Quince Pie Recipe by first making a buttery pastry, then gently simmering quinces with spices until tender and amber-coloured. Once cooled, the filling is placed in the pastry case, topped with a decorative lattice or solid crust, and baked until golden and bubbling. The pie needs to rest for 2 hours before serving.

Why do quinces turn pink when cooked?

Quinces contain compounds called tannins that react with heat and acid during cooking. This chemical reaction transforms the fruit from pale yellow to a beautiful rosy-amber colour. This natural process indicates the fruit is properly cooked and has developed its signature sweet, floral flavour.

Can I make this fruit pie with apples instead of quinces?

Yes, you can substitute apples, though you'll lose the unique floral notes of quince. Use tart cooking apples like Bramley or Granny Smith, reduce the sugar by about 25%, and shorten the initial cooking time to 15-20 minutes as apples soften more quickly than quinces.

What's the secret to keeping a pie crust from getting soggy?

To prevent a soggy bottom, ensure your quince filling is completely cooled before adding it to the pastry case. Pre-cooking the fruit until thickened also helps. For extra insurance, you can blind bake the bottom crust for 15 minutes before adding the filling.

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Add the cold cubed butter and rub it into the flour using your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Working with cold butter is crucial as it creates steam pockets during baking, resulting in flaky layers." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Form dough", "text": "Add the beaten egg and gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing with a knife until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overwork the dough as this develops gluten, making your pastry tough rather than tender. Form the dough into a disc, wrap in cling film, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Prepare quinces", "text": "Peel, quarter and core the fruits (they're quite hard, so work carefully). Slice each quarter into 1cm thick pieces. 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Remove from heat and allow to cool completely – hot filling would melt your pastry before baking." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Prepare for assembly", "text": "Preheat your oven to 190°C (170°C fan/375°F). Remove the chilled pastry from the refrigerator and divide it into two portions, one slightly larger than the other (approximately 60% for the base, 40% for the top)." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Line pie dish", "text": "On a lightly floured surface, roll out the larger piece of pastry to a circle about 3-4mm thick and large enough to line your pie dish with some overhang. Gently lift the pastry into the dish, pressing it into the corners without stretching. Trim the excess, leaving a small overhang which helps prevent shrinkage during baking." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Fill and top pie", "text": "Fill the pastry case with the cooled quince mixture, mounding it slightly higher in the center. Roll out the remaining pastry for the top. 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If using a solid top crust, cut a few slits in the center to allow steam to escape." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Bake", "text": "Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes until the pastry is deep golden and the filling is bubbling. If the edges start to brown too quickly, cover them loosely with foil. The bottom of the pie should sound hollow when tapped, indicating it's fully cooked." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Cool and serve", "text": "Allow the pie to cool for at least 2 hours before slicing – this crucial resting period allows the filling to set properly. Serve warm or at room temperature with a dollop of crème fraîche or vanilla ice cream." } ], "aggregateRating": { "@type": "AggregateRating", "ratingValue": "5", "ratingCount": "178" }, "review": [ { "@type": "Review", "author": "Sofia Martinez", "datePublished": "2024-04-02", "reviewBody": "This quince pie is absolutely divine! The balance of sweet and tart flavors is perfect, and the spices complement the fruit beautifully. The pre-cooking method for the quinces is genius - they turned that lovely amber color and were so tender.", "name": "Perfect Balance of Flavors", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Ahmed Khalil", "datePublished": "2024-04-05", "reviewBody": "Best autumn dessert I've ever made! I was hesitant to try working with quinces as they're quite hard, but following this recipe made it straightforward. The pastry stayed crisp on the bottom even with the juicy filling, which is impressive.", "name": "Outstanding Autumn Dessert", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Eloise Dupont", "datePublished": "2024-04-10", "reviewBody": "My family literally begged for seconds! I had never baked with quince before, but this recipe made it approachable. The floral-apple flavor is unique and delightful. I'll definitely be making this again when quinces are in season.", "name": "Family Favorite", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Rajesh Patel", "datePublished": "2024-04-15", "reviewBody": "Absolutely worth tracking down quinces for this recipe! The detailed instructions on pre-cooking the fruit were spot on. The natural pectins in the quince created the perfect thickness for the filling without being gummy. This pie converted everyone at my dinner party into quince lovers!", "name": "Converted Quince Skeptics", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Heidi Jørgensen", "datePublished": "2024-04-20", "reviewBody": "This is genuinely better than my grandmother's recipe (don't tell her!). The vanilla, star anise, and cinnamon work harmoniously with the quince. I made a lattice top as suggested and it looked stunning - perfect for impressing guests. The pastry was perfectly flaky and buttery.", "name": "Better Than Heirloom Recipe", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } } ] }
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