While there may be nothing more American than apple pie, there’s nothing more New England Marlborough Pie. This old-fashioned dessert dates back to early settlers in the 17th century. Unlike a typical apple pie, Marlborough pie has a rich, custard-like filling made with grated apples, cream, eggs, and warm spices, often with a splash of sherry or brandy for good measure. It’s part apple pie, part baked custard, and completely delicious. Add it to your fall baking lineup and you’ll understand why it’s so beloved in the Northeast!

The apples are grated and cooked down with lemon juice, sherry, butter, and sugar until tender. That mixture gets folded into a simple custard made with eggs and cream, along with a little cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg. The result is a filling that’s rich and creamy, with plenty of apple flavor and just the right amount of spice.

There are a few extra steps here, including pre-baking the crust and cooking the apples before the pie goes into the oven, but they’re worth it. The filling comes together easily once the apples are ready, and the whole pie only needs about 45 minutes to bake. Let it cool for a bit before slicing so the custard has time to set.

Serve Marlborough Pie warm or at room temperature, preferably with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. It’s a great dessert for fall gatherings, holiday meals, or anytime you want to try a piece of New England baking history.