Homemade Apple Pie

🕒 Prep: 30 min
🔥 Cook: 1 hour
🍽 Serves: 8
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There's nothing quite like a homemade apple pie to fill your kitchen with the comforting aroma of fall. This recipe combines a buttery crust with a spiced apple filling that's sure to become a family favorite.

Ingredients for Homemade Apple Pie

The crust is the foundation of any great pie, and all-purpose flour provides the necessary structure. A pinch of salt enhances the flavor, while a bit of sugar adds a touch of sweetness to the dough. Butter, when chilled and diced, creates the flaky layers we all love. Ice water is crucial for binding the dough without making it sticky.

For the filling, apples are the stars. Choose a mix of tart and sweet varieties for depth of flavor. Sugar sweetens the apples, while ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg add warmth and spice. Lemon juice prevents browning and brightens the flavors. A touch of all-purpose flour thickens the filling as it bakes. Finally, a bit of butter melts into the filling, adding richness.

Tips & Tricks

  • Keep your butter and water as cold as possible for the flakiest crust.
  • Use a mix of apple varieties for a more complex flavor profile.
  • To prevent a soggy bottom crust, pre-bake (blind bake) it for 5-7 minutes before filling.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your apple pie warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. For a twist, try pairing it with a sharp cheddar cheese slice — it's a classic combo that's surprisingly delicious!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can refrigerate the dough for up to two days or freeze it for up to a month.
What apples are best for pie?
Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are excellent for their tartness and firmness, but feel free to mix and match with Fujis or Galas.
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftover pie covered at room temperature for up to two days, or refrigerate for up to five days.

Homemade Apple Pie Recipe Walkthrough

Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C) and placing a baking sheet on the lower rack. This helps ensure the bottom crust cooks through and stays crispy. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and sugar. Add your chilled butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Divide it in half, wrap each piece in plastic, and let it chill in the fridge for at least an hour.

Once chilled, roll out one half of the dough on a floured surface until it fits your 9-inch pie plate. Gently place it in the plate, pressing it evenly along the bottom and sides. In another bowl, toss your sliced apples with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, flour, and lemon juice. Pour the apple mixture into the prepared crust and dot the top with small butter pieces.

Roll out the remaining dough for the top crust. Place it over the apples, trim any excess, and crimp the edges to seal. Don't forget to cut a few slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape as it bakes. For a golden finish, mix the egg yolk with milk and brush it over the crust.

Bake your pie on the preheated baking sheet for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake for another 35 to 45 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the crust is golden brown, and the filling bubbles through the slits. Allow it to cool before serving, which helps the filling set.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Perfectly flaky homemade crust that melts in your mouth.
  • Just the right balance of sweetness and spice in every slice.
  • Tailor it to your taste with your favorite apple varieties.
  • Impressively easy for beginners and rewarding for seasoned bakers.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and diced
6 to 8 tablespoons ice water
6 to 8 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon butter, sliced into small pieces
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon milk

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and place a baking sheet on the lower oven rack.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Add chilled butter and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Stir in ice water, a tablespoon at a time, until dough comes together. Divide dough in half, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
4. Roll out one half of the dough on a floured surface to fit a 9-inch pie plate. Place in pie plate, pressing dough evenly into the bottom and sides.
5. In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, flour, and lemon juice. Pour into the prepared pie crust and dot with butter pieces.
6. Roll out the remaining dough and cover the pie with the crust. Trim excess dough and crimp edges to seal. Cut slits in the top for steam to escape.
7. Mix egg yolk with milk and brush over the crust.
8. Bake on the preheated baking sheet for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
9. Let cool before serving.

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