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Best Apple Pie In Orange County

apple pie header thinkstock
(credit: Thinkstock)

People in Southern California are big fans of summer. However, something really good (besides the beginning of football season) happens in fall. Namely, apples come into season, which means it's time for seasonal apple desserts. Here are five places where you can get a good slice of all-American apple pie (or some variation thereof).

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Pasty's apple pie (credit: Gary Schwind)

Patsy's Irish Pub
28971 Golden Lantern #108
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 249-2604
www.patsysirishpub.net

We've all heard that nothing is more American than apple pie. That may be the case, but this Irish pub offers an excellent version of an American classic. You can have it topped with ice cream or warm vanilla custard (pictured and highly recommended), and you can't go wrong with either. Cinnamon is a prominent flavor in this, even underneath the vanilla ice cream or custard. The best thing about this is that it is served piping hot so it's still warm when you reach that last delicious bite.

Related: Best Places For A Hot Toddy In Orange County

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BRU's apple tartlet (credit: Gary Schwind)

BRU Grill and Market
23730 El Toro Road
Lake Forest, CA 92630
(949) 305-5757
www.brugrill.com

The apple tartlet at BRU is both delicious and a thing of beauty. It is very much like a French tartlet with the flaky crust and the small diced apples. As if that weren't enough, it is topped with vanilla-bean gelato that is outstanding. The drizzle of caramel over the dessert makes it downright irresistible. Try pairing the tartlet with one of the excellent beers or bourbons available here.

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(credit: Thinkstock)

Muldoon's Irish Pub
202 Newport Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 640-4110
www.muldoonspub.com

Some people will tell you about apple pie that is as good as the one your grandma made every Thanksgiving. Well, if the pie at Muldoon's isn't as good as your grandma's, then your grandma's apple pie must have been out of this world. The pie is filled all the way around with chunks of apple. The crust is amazing, but what really makes this pie is the generous dose of caramel sauce that tops it. Eating the apple pie at Muldoon's might just take you back to Thanksgiving when you were a kid.

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118 Degrees' apple cobbler (credit: Gary Schwind)

118 Degrees
2981 Bristol St.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 754-0718
www.118degrees.com

The crust of an apple dessert is what really sets it apart. That is certainly the case at this vegetarian restaurant, where the crust of the apple cobbler is made with walnuts. The apples are crisp and covered with a fair amount of cinnamon and other spices. The cobbler is then topped with more crushed walnuts and a vanilla sauce. If you think vegetarian desserts are flavorless, you need only eat this to realize you're very wrong.

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(credit: Gary Schwind)

Cream Pan
602 El Camino Real
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 665-8239
www.facebook.com

It would be easy to overlook the apple tart amidst all the other pastries in the cooler at Cream Pan. However, when you find it, you'll probably keep going back to it. The apples are finely diced and, like in France, covered with a fine layer of jam. The golden raisins add both texture and flavor to the tart. If you can wait to eat it, you'll find your reward when you warm it up.

Related: Best Celebrity Chef Restaurants In Orange County

Gary Schwind is a freelance writer covering all things Orange County. His work can be found on Examiner.com.

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