Apple Pie Recipe
Warm, comforting, and delightfully nostalgic, Apple Pie is the dessert that never fails to bring people together. With its tender, buttery golden crust enveloping a juicy, spiced apple filling, each bite offers the perfect balance of sweetness, tartness, and spice. Whether you’re savoring a slice fresh from the oven on a brisk autumn day or sharing it with loved ones at a festive gathering, Apple Pie has a magical ability to transport you home, no matter where you are.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With a few pantry staples and the right apples, you can create an unforgettable pie full of flavor and charm. Don’t be tempted to swap or skimp — every component comes together to create that authentic taste, flaky crust, and sweet, perfectly-set filling!
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the crust, providing structure and a tender bite when handled gently.
- Unsalted butter (cold and cubed): Absolutely essential for a flaky, melt-in-your-mouth pie crust — keep it icy cold for best results!
- Salt: Just a pinch brings out all the other flavors in the crust and filling.
- Sugar (granulated and brown): Adds sweetness and a hint of caramel depth to both the crust and apple filling.
- Ice water: Keeps the pastry cool as you bring the dough together — temperature is everything for flakiness.
- Apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp): These varieties keep their structure while baking and deliver the perfect tart-sweet flavor balance.
- Lemon juice: Brightens up the filling and prevents the apples from browning.
- All-purpose flour (for filling): Thickens the juices released by the apples, so your pie slices beautifully.
- Ground cinnamon and nutmeg: Staples for that signature spiced aroma and flavor we all crave in Apple Pie.
- Butter (for dotting): A few little pieces melt into the filling, making everything extra luscious.
- Egg (optional for topping): Brushed over the crust, it creates a stunning, glossy finish.
- Coarse sugar (optional): Sprinkled on top, it adds a lovely crunch and sparkle after baking.
How to Make Apple Pie
Step 1: Make the Perfect Pie Crust
Start by combining the flour, sugar, and salt in a big mixing bowl. Using a pastry cutter or fork, cut in your cubes of cold butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs — don’t overwork it! Drizzle in the ice water just a bit at a time, mixing gently until the dough barely comes together. Divide into two discs, wrap in plastic, and let them chill in the fridge for at least an hour. This rest time is the secret behind those perfectly flaky layers.
Step 2: Prepare the Apple Pie Filling
While your dough chills, peel and slice your apples nice and thin for even cooking. Toss them in lemon juice so they stay bright and fresh. Next, add both sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt — stir everything together so the apples are well coated. This mixture will become thick, syrupy, and full of flavor as it bakes!
Step 3: Assemble the Apple Pie
Preheat your oven to 425°F. Roll out one dough disc on a floured surface and gently fit it into your 9-inch pie dish, letting the excess hang over the sides. Pile in your apples and dot them with tiny pieces of butter. Roll out the second disc and lay it on top, or get creative and make a lattice! Trim and crimp the edges to seal, then cut a few vents for steam. If you like, brush on an egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar for a beautiful, crunchy finish.
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
Slide your assembled pie into the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes. Keep an eye out — if the edges are browning too fast, gently cover them with foil. You’re looking for that deep golden crust and bubbly filling peeking through the vents. The hardest part? Waiting at least two hours for it to cool so the filling can set, but trust me, it’s worth it for neat, picture-perfect slices.
How to Serve Apple Pie
Garnishes
A scoop of classic vanilla ice cream melting over a slice of warm Apple Pie is pure bliss, but don’t stop there! Try a dusting of powdered sugar, a dollop of whipped cream, or even an extra drizzle of salted caramel sauce to dress up your slice.
Side Dishes
Apple Pie shines with simple accompaniments. Alongside that scoop of ice cream, serve fresh berries for brightness, or offer up mugs of spiced cider or robust coffee to round out the cozy dessert moment.
Creative Ways to Present
Transform your Apple Pie into mini hand pies or rustic galettes for a farmhouse touch, or serve in elegant wedges with decorative pastry leaves on top. Individual ramekins or mason jars make for adorable, portable portions that are sure to wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cover leftover Apple Pie loosely and store it at room temperature for up to two days. After that, pop it in the fridge where it will keep happily for another two days — that is, if it lasts that long!
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze your unbaked, assembled Apple Pie tightly wrapped for up to two months. When you’re ready, bake straight from the freezer, adding 15 to 20 minutes to the bake time, and your guests will never know it wasn’t made fresh that day.
Reheating
To revive that just-baked flavor and crisp crust, warm individual slices in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes, or heat the whole pie covered loosely with foil. Avoid the microwave if you can, as it tends to make the crust soggy.
FAQs
What kind of apples are best for Apple Pie?
Tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are classic for Apple Pie because they hold their shape and don’t become mushy while baking. Mixing two varieties adds even more depth and complexity to the flavor!
Can I make the crust in advance?
Absolutely! The dough for Apple Pie can be made up to three days in advance and kept wrapped in the refrigerator. Or pop it in the freezer for up to a month; just thaw overnight before using.
Why does my pie sometimes turn out runny?
If the filling isn’t thick enough, it could be from slicing your apples too thick or not allowing the pie to cool completely before cutting. Flour in the filling, thin, even apple slices, and cooling for at least two hours will help ensure a perfectly set Apple Pie every time.
How do I keep the bottom crust from getting soggy?
Try chilling your pie before baking, using the right thickness for your dough, and placing your pie dish on a preheated baking sheet. These tricks help ensure the bottom crust cooks through and stays deliciously crisp.
Can I make Apple Pie without eggs?
Definitely! The egg wash is just for shine and helping the sugar stick on top, so you can skip it without affecting the taste or texture of your Apple Pie.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing more inviting than the aroma of freshly baked Apple Pie wafting through the kitchen. Whether you’re a novice baker or a seasoned pro, this recipe is bound to become a treasured classic in your home. Don’t be afraid to make it your own, and most importantly, share it with someone you love!
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Apple Pie Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes (plus chilling)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This classic Apple Pie recipe features a flaky homemade crust filled with a spiced cinnamon-apple mixture. Perfect for fall or any time of year!
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 6–8 tablespoons ice water
For the filling:
- 6 cups peeled and thinly sliced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon butter (cut into small pieces)
Optional topping:
- 1 egg (beaten with 1 tablespoon water for egg wash)
- coarse sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Make the crust: Combine flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in butter, then add ice water gradually. Divide, shape into discs, and refrigerate.
- Prepare the filling: Toss apples with lemon juice. Add sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Assemble the pie: Roll out dough, fit into pie dish, fill with apple mixture, top with second crust, and seal edges. Brush with egg wash, sprinkle sugar.
- Bake: Bake at 425°F for 45-50 minutes until golden and bubbly. Cool before serving.
Notes
- The pie is best served slightly warm with vanilla ice cream.
- You can freeze the unbaked assembled pie for up to 2 months; bake from frozen and add 15–20 minutes to the bake time.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
