Step 1

In a food processor fitted with a steel blade, or in a large bowl, pulse or mix together flour, sugar and salt. In a measuring cup, lightly beat the egg, then add just enough cream to get to 1/3 cup.

Step 2

Lightly whisk the egg, cream, maple syrup and cinnamon together. Set aside.

Step 3

Add butter to flour mixture and pulse or use a pastry cutter or your fingers to break up the butter.

Step 4

If using a food processor, do not over-process; you need chickpea-size chunks of butter.

Step 5

Drizzle the egg mixture over the dough and pulse or stir until it just starts to come together but is still mostly large crumbs.

Step 6

Pulse just until dough comes together in a ball.

Step 7

Put dough on large piece of plastic wrap and pat it together to make one uniform piece.

Step 8

Flatten into a disk, wrap in plastic and chill for 2 hours, or up to 3 days.

Step 9

Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Step 10

Roll the dough out to a 12-inch round (it can be ragged along the edges).

Step 11

Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper and chill while preparing the filling.

Step 12

Core the apples and slice in half. Slice each half crosswise to ¼ inch thick.

Step 13

Set aside the larger center slices and coarsely chop the end slices and any broken ones; about half of the slices should be chopped.

Step 14

In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon.

Step 15

Spread the chopped apples over the pastry to within 1 inch of the edge.

Step 16

Drizzle the maple syrup over the chopped apples.

Step 17

Decoratively arrange the apple slices on top in concentric circles or in slightly overlapping rows.

Step 18

Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly over the apples and dot with the pieces of butter.

Step 19

Fold the pastry edge up and over the apples to create a 1-inch crust border.

Step 20

Brush pastry crust lightly with beaten egg. Sprinkle sparkling sugar on the crust.

Step 21

Bake for 45 minutes or until the crust is golden.

Step 22

Cool for at least 20 minutes on wire rack.

Step 23

Brush the apples with maple syrup just before serving.

Step 24

Serve warm or at room temperature. And with a scoop of ice cream if you’re feeling really adventurous!