Blackberry And Apple Pie Recipe

Our Muddy Chief Natasha shares a little slice of family life in Somerset, where a weekend adventure in the great outdoors inspired a delicious homemade Blackberry and Apple Pie.

From blackberry-stained fingers and impromptu saucepan hats to little bakers taking over the kitchen, it’s a wonderful reminder that some of the best family memories begin with a muddy adventure!

A little adventure, a basket of berries and a whole lot of fun!

While spending a lovely weekend in Somerset, we decided to head out on a family adventure with one simple mission: to find as many juicy blackberries as we could! There’s something rather magical about this time of year. The hedgerows are bursting with ripe, dark berries, the countryside is full of autumnal promise, and there’s a delicious feeling of excitement in the air as nature offers up its seasonal treasures. Armed with our keen eyes and eager little hands, we set off to see what we could find.

Before long, our little explorers were busy searching beneath leaves, reaching for the ripest berries and proudly showing off their finds. Every blackberry picked felt like a little triumph, and it was lovely to see everyone getting involved, no matter how big or small their contribution. One of the things we love most about foraging as a family is that there really is a job for everyone - little ones can spot the berries hiding amongst the leaves, older children can help collect the harvest, and grown-ups can keep an eye out for the best picking spots. Working together makes the whole experience feel like a proper team adventure, with plenty of opportunities to encourage curiosity, build confidence and discover a little more about the natural world along the way.

From little foragers to little bakers

After our adventures in the Somerset countryside, it was time to bring our wonderful blackberry haul home and put it to good use. And what better way to celebrate a successful foraging expedition than with a homemade Blackberry and Apple Pie? With our freshly gathered blackberries ready to go, the children swapped their foraging hats for aprons and took on the very important role of kitchen helpers. There’s something so satisfying about turning the fruits of an outdoor adventure into something delicious to share, and this was the perfect opportunity to get the little ones involved in a spot of seasonal baking.

Peeling and preparing the apples, measuring ingredients, rubbing butter into flour and watching the pastry come together are all lovely ways for children to build confidence in the kitchen. Little hands can help mix, measure and sprinkle, while grown-ups take care of the sharper tools and hot oven. The combination of sweet apples and juicy blackberries makes this pie a real seasonal treat. The apples soften beautifully as they bake, while the blackberries release their rich, fruity juices, creating a delicious filling beneath a golden, buttery pastry crust. Add a hint of cinnamon or some fresh lemon zest, if you fancy, and your kitchen will soon be filled with the most wonderful autumnal aromas.

Natasha's Blackberry and Apple Pie Recipe

This is a lovely recipe to make together after a family walk, a countryside adventure or an afternoon spent exploring the hedgerows. It's simple, seasonal and perfect for getting little bakers involved. Gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves and prepare for a little flour on the kitchen floor!

Ingredients

For the pastry:

• 270g plain flour

• 140g unsalted butter, slightly softened

• 90g caster sugar

• 1 large egg yolk

• 2 pinches of salt

• A small cup of milk, adding just a little at a time

• A little lemon zest, if desired

For the filling:

• 1kg apples, peeled, cored, halved and sliced

• 400g fresh blackberries

• Sugar to taste

• A pinch of ground cinnamon, if desired

Let's get baking!

1. Get the oven ready

Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan/Gas Mark 4). Lightly prepare your pie dish and gather everything you'll need. This is a good moment to give little helpers their own mixing bowl and wooden spoon!

2. Make the pastry

Sift the flour and salt into a large bowl. Cut the softened butter into small pieces and rub it into the flour using your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. This is always a favourite job for little bakers! Encourage them to rub the mixture gently between their fingers and watch the texture change. It doesn't need to be perfect – a little mess is all part of the fun.

3. Bring it all together

Stir in the caster sugar, egg yolk and lemon zest, if using. Add a small splash of milk at a time until the mixture comes together into a soft dough. Lightly knead the dough until smooth, taking care not to overwork it. Wrap it up and pop it in the fridge for a short while if it feels too soft to roll out easily.

4. Prepare the fruity filling

Place the sliced apples and blackberries into a shallow ovenproof pie dish, around 900ml–1.2 litres in capacity. Sprinkle over sugar to taste and add a pinch of cinnamon if you fancy a little extra warmth. Give everything a gentle mix, taking care not to squash all those lovely blackberries. The contrast between the sweetness of the apples and the tartness of the berries is what makes this pie so delicious.

5. Roll out the pastry

Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the pastry until it's large enough to cover the pie dish. This is another wonderful job for little helpers, who can have a go at rolling with a small rolling pin under supervision. Don't worry if the pastry isn't perfectly round – rustic homemade pies have their own special charm!

6. Top your pie

Carefully lay the pastry over the fruit filling. Trim away any excess pastry, then press the edges together to seal and flute them if you wish. Brush the top with a little milk to help it turn beautifully golden in the oven. If you'd like, use any leftover pastry to make little decorative leaves or shapes for the top. Stars, hearts or simply a few wonky pastry decorations all work wonderfully! Ask a grown-up to make a small slit in the pastry to allow steam to escape as the pie bakes.

7. Bake until golden

Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and the fruit filling is bubbling. Keep an eye on the pie towards the end of cooking, as ovens can vary. Allow it to cool slightly before serving, as the fruity filling will be very hot.

8. Gather everyone around the table

Serve your pie warm, perhaps with a generous dollop of custard, a spoonful of cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Then sit back, tuck in and enjoy the delicious rewards of your family adventure!

The best bit? Sharing the spoils!

In true family fashion, our Blackberry and Apple Pie disappeared before we had the chance to take a photograph of the finished masterpiece. And, if we're being completely honest, the adults were every bit as responsible as the children! It looked and tasted absolutely delicious, I can promise you that. The sweet apples, juicy blackberries and buttery golden pastry made for the perfect end to our day outdoors. More than anything, though, it was lovely to see how a simple blackberry-picking adventure could turn into a whole day of family fun.

Sometimes all you need is a little fresh air, a curious pair of eyes, a handful of seasonal berries and a willingness to get stuck in. So, next time you're out on a family walk, keep your eyes peeled for the treasures growing around you. Pack a little container, embrace the muddy moments and see where the adventure takes you. You might just come home with the makings of a delicious pudding – and a few lovely stories to tell along the way.

Happy foraging, happy baking and, most importantly, happy adventuring!