Classic Homemade Apple Pie

There’s something undeniably nostalgic about a freshly baked apple pie. It takes you back to family gatherings, autumn afternoons, and the sweet aroma filling your home. This classic recipe showcases spiced apples wrapped in a flaky crust that’s simply irresistible. It’s the perfect dessert to share with loved ones or to enjoy all by yourself on a cozy evening.

Imagine the moment when you slice into the pie, revealing tender apples that have caramelized beautifully, surrounded by warm spices that dance on your palate. Paired with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, every bite is a delightful combination of textures and flavors that makes you appreciate the beauty of home baking.

The Timeless Delight of Apple Pie

There is an enduring charm in the act of baking an apple pie. It calls to mind the warmth of family gatherings and the comforting scent of spices wafting through the home.

This classic dessert showcases a combination of sweet and tart apples enveloped in a golden-brown crust that’s hard to resist. With every slice, you experience not just a dessert, but a moment steeped in tradition and nostalgia.

Choosing the Right Apples

The key to a remarkable apple pie lies significantly in the choice of apples. A mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples strikes a delightful balance between tartness and sweetness.

These apples hold their shape well during baking, ensuring that each bite is filled with tender, flavorful fruit. Additionally, the variety of textures brings a satisfying complexity to the pie that complements the flaky crust beautifully.

The Art of the Crust

Creating a flaky pie crust is a skill that pays off with each bite of your pie. It starts with cold ingredients, which are essential for achieving that desirable texture.

Combining flour, salt, and sugar with chilled butter produces a crumbly mixture that, when combined with ice water, forms a dough that is both rich and tender. Allowing it to chill helps to solidify the butter, making the crust flaky during baking.

Spices Make the Difference

When it comes to flavoring your apple filling, the aromatic spices play a crucial role. Cinnamon and nutmeg bring warmth, while a splash of lemon juice adds brightness to the mixture.

These flavors mingle beautifully with the natural sweetness of the apples, creating a harmonious filling that is not overly sweet but instead enhances the essence of the fruit.

Assembling and Baking the Pie

Assembling an apple pie is a satisfying step in the baking process. After rolling out the crust, it’s essential to layer the spiced apple filling evenly.

Dotting the top with butter and creating slits for steam to escape ensures that the pie bakes evenly, allowing the crust to achieve that golden hue while the apples soften just right.

Serving Suggestions

Once your apple pie has cooled, serving it warm is often a delightful choice. Pairing it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream adds a creamy contrast to the warm spices and tender fruit.

Whether enjoyed at a family gathering or as a cozy treat at home, this classic dessert invites indulgence and is sure to bring smiles to those who partake in a slice.

The Timeless Delight of Apple Pie

This homemade apple pie features a buttery, flaky crust filled with a mixture of sweet and tart apples seasoned with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of lemon. The result is a dessert that’s both comforting and satisfying, perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ 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 (Granny Smith and Honeycrisp recommended)
• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 egg yolk (for egg wash)
• 1 tablespoon milk (for egg wash)

Instructions

1. Make the Pie Crust: In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, and sugar. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in ice water, a tablespoon at a time, until dough forms. Divide into two balls, flatten, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
2. Prepare the Filling: In a bowl, combine sliced apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss to coat the apples evenly. Set aside.
3. Assemble the Pie: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Roll out one dough ball and place it in a pie dish. Fill with the apple mixture and dot with butter. Roll out the second dough ball and place it over the filling. Seal and flute the edges, then cut slits in the top crust for steam to escape.
4. Bake the Pie: Brush the top with a mixture of egg yolk and milk. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake for an additional 35-45 minutes, or until apples are soft and crust is golden brown.
5. Cool and Serve: Allow the pie to cool for at least 2 hours before slicing. Serve warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Cook and Prep Times

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes, plus cooling time

• Servings: 8 slices
• Calories: 320kcal
• Fat: 15g
• Protein: 2g
• Carbohydrates: 45g