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A perfectly baked apple pie with a golden, flaky crust on a cooling rack.

Best way to grow Apple Pie from scratchApple Pie

This recipe guides you through making a delicious apple pie, starting with creating a buttery crust and filling it with perfectly spiced apples. It\'s a labor of love that delivers a warm, comforting dessert for any occasion.
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Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 8 slices
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Crust:
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup ice water
For the Filling:
  • 6 cups firm, tart apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4-inch thick
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
For Assembly:
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon Turbinado sugar (optional)

Equipment

  • Large bowl
  • Pastry blender or fork
  • Plastic wrap
  • Rolling pin
  • 9-inch pie plate
  • Paring knife
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Whisk
  • Baking sheet (optional, for catching drips)
  • Aluminum foil (optional)
  • Wire rack
  • Oven
  • Peeler
  • Apple corer (optional)

Method
 

Make the Pie Crust
  1. Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl, then cut in cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  2. Gradually add ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together, avoiding overmixing.
  3. Divide the dough in half, flatten each into a disk, wrap tightly in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Prepare the Apple Filling
  1. In a large bowl, combine sliced apples with both types of sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice, ensuring apples are evenly coated.
Assemble the Pie
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and roll one dough disk into a 12-inch circle, then fit it into a 9-inch pie plate.
  2. Pour the apple filling into the crust, dot with small pieces of butter, and roll out the second dough disk to cover the pie.
  3. Trim, crimp, or flute the edges, cut slits in the top crust for ventilation, and brush with beaten egg, sprinkling with Turbinado sugar if desired.
Bake the Pie
  1. Bake for 15 minutes at 400°F (200°C), then reduce the temperature to 375°F (190°C) and bake for an additional 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbly.
  2. If the crust browns too quickly, cover the edges with aluminum foil.
Cool and Serve
  1. Allow the pie to cool completely on a wire rack for at least 2-3 hours before slicing and serving, to allow the filling to set.

Notes

For best results, use a mix of apple varieties to achieve a balanced flavor and texture. If your crust starts to brown too quickly, you can tent a piece of aluminum foil over it during baking. Ensure the pie cools completely before slicing to prevent a runny filling.