Here’s a classic Apple Pie recipe with a buttery, flaky crust and sweet cinnamon-spiced filling:
Ingredients
For the crust (makes 2 crusts):
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 6–8 tbsp ice water
For the filling:
- 6–7 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and sliced
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (to thicken)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp butter, cut into small pieces
For topping:
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional, for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Prepare the crust:
- In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar.
- Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add ice water, 1 tbsp at a time, until dough comes together.
- Divide into 2 discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
- Prepare the filling:
- In a large bowl, combine sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, flour, and vanilla. Toss gently to coat.
- Assemble the pie:
- Preheat oven to 425 °F (220 °C).
- Roll out one disc of dough to fit a 9-inch pie pan. Place in pan and trim edges slightly.
- Pour the apple filling into the crust and dot with butter.
- Roll out the second disc of dough and place over the filling. Trim and crimp edges to seal.
- Cut small slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
- Brush the top with beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar if desired.
- Bake:
- Bake at 425 °F (220 °C) for 20 minutes.
- Reduce temperature to 375 °F (190 °C) and bake an additional 35–40 minutes, until crust is golden and filling is bubbly.
- If the edges brown too quickly, cover them with foil.
- Cool and serve:
- Let the pie cool at least 2 hours before serving to allow the filling to set.
- Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally with ice cream or whipped cream.
Tips:
- Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for a more complex flavor.
- For extra flakiness, keep all ingredients cold and avoid overworking the dough.
- Leftover pie keeps well in the fridge for 3–4 days or can be frozen for up to 2 months.
I can also give a quick, rustic apple pie version with a crumb topping that doesn’t require making a top crust if you want a faster option.
