Classic Apple Pie Recipe

INGREDIENTS FOR APPLE PIE

More details about the ingredients and measurements are in the recipe card below!

For the Crust:

All-Purpose Flour: This is the foundation of the crust, providing structure and substance. It also helps to thicken the apple pie filling, creating a smooth, velvety texture.

White Sugar: Added to both the crust and the filling, it sweetens and enhances the flavors. In the crust, it also promotes browning.

Unsalted Butter: The fat in this recipe gives the crust a delicious buttery flavor and flaky texture. It is also used in the filling to add richness and depth of flavor.

Chilled Water: This is used in the crust to bind the flour and butter together, creating a dough that's easy to roll out.

For the Filling:

Apples: The star of the show! Choose tart, firm apples for the best flavor and texture. They're thinly sliced to make sure that they cook evenly.

Brown Sugar: Used in the filling, it adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness that pairs beautifully with the apples.

Lemon Juice: A splash of lemon juice in the filling helps to balance the sweetness and prevent the apples from browning.

Unsalted Butter: A bit of butter in the filling makes it rich and luscious, enhancing the natural flavors of the apples and spices.

All-Purpose Flour: A couple tablespoons of flour in the filling help to thicken the juices released by the apples as they cook, preventing a soggy bottom crust.

HOW TO MAKE APPLE PIE FROM SCRATCH

Preparing the Apple Pie Crust

Step 1

Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Add the chilled butter and rub it in with your fingertips or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

Step 2

Create the dough: Add water and gather the mixture into a dough. Avoid kneading. Divide the dough into two parts, and make the second part slightly smaller. Flatten each part into a disc, wrap it in plastic, and refrigerate for about half an hour.

Step 3

Roll and transfer the dough: Take the larger piece of dough from the fridge, place it on a lightly floured surface and roll into a circle of about twelve inches. Fold the dough in half and carefully transfer it to a nine-inch pie pan. Make sure that the dough covers all corners and edges of the pan. Trim any excess and return the pie pan to the fridge.

Step 4

Prepare the top crust: Take the second piece of dough from the fridge, add any trimmed pieces from the first part to it, roll it into a ten-inch circle and transfer it to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

Making the Apple Pie Filling

Step 5

Preheat the oven: Set your oven to preheat at a temperature of about 425F/220C.

Step 6

Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, combine all the filling ingredients, mix thoroughly, and pour into the baking pan, along with any juices. Cover this with the second piece of dough.

Step 7

Seal and decorate the pie: Tuck any excess pastry under the bottom crust, crimp the edges using a fork, and make a few slits in the center of the pie to allow steam to escape.

Step 8

Bake the pie: Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any juices that may overflow. Bake for about forty-two to forty-five minutes. After twenty-five minutes of baking, cover the edges of the pie to prevent them from burning.

Step 9

Cool the pie: Once baked, take the pie out of the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your homemade apple pie!

👩🏽‍🍳 PRO TIPS

Use chilled butter: For the apple pie crust, always use unsalted butter that is well-chilled. This will help you achieve a flaky crust which is a key component of a delicious apple pie.

Don't overwork the dough: When combining your crust ingredients, avoid overworking the dough. Handling it too much can result in a tough crust. You want a tender, flaky pie crust, so mix just until the ingredients are combined.

Refrigerate the dough: After you've prepared your pie dough, be sure to refrigerate it for at least thirty minutes. This allows the gluten in the flour to relax, resulting in a more tender and easy to roll dough.

Preheat the oven: Always preheat your oven before baking the apple pie. A properly preheated oven helps guarantee that your pie starts baking as soon as it goes in, which is essential for a perfectly baked pie.

Protect your crust: To prevent the edges of your pie crust from burning, consider covering them with aluminum foil after the first twenty-five minutes of baking. This will allow the rest of your pie to continue baking without over-browning the crust.

🍽️ HOW TO SERVE APPLE PIE

• Apple pie is a classic dessert, but why not kick off your day with a slice? Pair it with a hot cup of coffee or tea for a sweet start to your morning.
• For a mouthwatering dessert, serve your apple pie warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The creaminess of the ice cream perfectly compliments the tartness of the apples and the crunchiness of the pie crust.
• Want to make your apple pie a bit more festive? Try serving it with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon on top. It is a simple addition that adds a touch of elegance and extra flavor.
• For a fun and casual serving idea, why not make apple pie sundaes? Simply layer crumbled pieces of apple pie, scoops of ice cream, and a drizzle of caramel sauce in a glass. It's a deconstructed take on the classic apple pie and ice cream combo that everyone will love!

STORING THE PIE SAFELY

Refrigerate: After baking and cooling your apple pie, it is best to store it in the refrigerator. Just cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and it should keep nicely for up to four days.

Reheat Instructions: When you're ready to serve your pie, you can reheat it in a preheated oven (375°F) for about ten minutes, or until warmed through.

Freeze: If you've got more pie than you can handle right away, you can freeze it! Wrap the pie tightly with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place in a heavy-duty freezer bag. You can store it for up to four months.

Thawing Instructions: To thaw your frozen pie, simply transfer it to the fridge and allow it to thaw overnight.