Food Sparks Joy

Apple Pie

Apple pie is one of the most iconic desserts in American cuisine, often symbolizing home, tradition, and comfort. With its flaky, buttery crust and sweet, spiced apple filling, it has earned a place in holidays like Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July, as well as everyday dinners.

The dish typically features tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, mixed with sugar, cinnamon, and sometimes nutmeg or cloves, all wrapped in a double pie crust. The top can be solid or latticed, and it's often served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Homemade apple pie combines rustic charm with rich flavor, making it a Favorite for both novice bakers and seasoned pastry chefs.

Classic Apple Pie Recipe

Ingredients

For the crust (double crust):

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into cubes
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
6–8 tbsp ice water

For the filling:

6–8 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or mix), peeled, cored, and sliced
¾ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp salt
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp all-purpose flour or 1 tbsp cornstarch (for thickening)

Optional:

1 tbsp butter (to dot on filling)
1 egg + 1 tbsp milk (for egg wash)
Sugar for sprinkling

Instructions

1. Make the crust:

In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, and sugar.
Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Gradually add ice water, 1 tbsp at a time, mixing just until the dough holds together.
Divide into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.

2. Prepare the filling:

In a large bowl, toss apple slices with lemon juice, sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and flour (or cornstarch). Let sit for 10–15 minutes.

3. Assemble the pie:

Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
Roll out one dough disc and place it into a 9-inch pie pan.
Fill with apple mixture and dot with butter.
Roll out the second disc and cover the pie. Seal and crimp the edges. Cut slits or create a lattice top.
Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar.

4. Bake:

Bake at 425°F for 20 minutes.
Reduce temperature to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 35–45 minutes more, or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbly.
Cool for at least 2 hours before serving.

Apple Pie FAQs

Q: Can I use store-bought crust?
Yes! While homemade crust offers better flavor and texture, store-bought pie crusts work well for convenience.

Q: What apples are best for apple pie?
Tart and firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn hold their shape and balance the sweetness. A mix of varieties often yields the best flavour.

Q: How do I keep the bottom crust from getting soggy?
You can blind-bake the bottom crust for 5–10 minutes, or sprinkle a bit of flour or breadcrumbs before adding the filling to absorb excess moisture.

Q: Can I freeze apple pie?
Yes. You can freeze an unbaked or baked apple pie. Wrap tightly in plastic and foil, then bake (or reheat) directly from frozen—adjusting time accordingly.