Grandma Ople’s Apple Pie: A Slice of Pure Joy!
What is Grandma Ople’s Apple Pie?
Oh my goodness, let me tell you, Grandma Ople’s Apple Pie isn’t just *any* apple pie; it’s *the* apple pie! Think of that comforting, warm hug in a slice – that’s what we’re talking about! It’s a classic, tried-and-true recipe that’s stood the test of time, and for good reason. It’s got that perfect balance of sweet and tart apples, all nestled under a golden, flaky crust that just melts in your mouth. Seriously, it’s the kind of pie that makes you close your eyes and savor every single bite.
Table of Contents
Apple Pie by Grandma Ople: How to Make it 1st.
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
Grandma Ople’s Apple Pie is a timeless dessert that balances sweet and tart apples in a rich filling beneath a flaky, golden crust. A comforting, nostalgic recipe that brings warmth and joy to every slice.
Ingredients
6–8 medium apples (Granny Smith and Honeycrisp recommended), peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4-inch thick
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch of allspice (optional)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
2 pie crusts (homemade or store-bought, for top and bottom)
1 egg, lightly beaten (optional, for egg wash)
Coarse sugar, for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Peel, core, and slice apples. Toss with lemon juice, sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
3. Roll out one pie crust and fit into a 9-inch pie plate. Leave a slight overhang.
4. Fill crust with apple mixture, mounding slightly in the center. Dot with butter pieces.
5. Roll out second crust and place over filling. Trim and crimp edges to seal. Cut slits in the top crust for steam vents.
6. (Optional) Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
7. Bake 15 minutes at 425°F (220°C). Reduce temperature to 375°F (190°C) and bake 40-50 minutes until crust is golden and apples are tender.
8. Cool on a wire rack at least 2-3 hours before slicing.
Notes
Add caramel sauce, nuts, or cranberries for variation.
Try maple syrup in place of some sugar for a fall twist.
Use streusel topping instead of a top crust for a Dutch variation.
Mix up the spices with ginger or cardamom for new flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
A bit of background
You know how some recipes just *feel* like home? Well, Grandma Ople’s Apple Pie is definitely one of those. It’s not some fancy, complicated concoction; it’s simple, honest, and utterly delicious. This recipe has likely been passed down through generations, each grandmother adding her own sprinkle of love and wisdom. It’s a tribute to those family kitchen moments, the ones filled with laughter, flour dust, and the intoxicating scent of baking apples. You can almost hear the soft hum of an old-fashioned kitchen as you’re making it.
Everyday appeal
What makes Grandma Ople’s Apple Pie so incredibly appealing for everyday life? It’s its uncanny ability to make any moment feel special. Whether it’s a casual Sunday afternoon treat, a comforting dessert after a busy weekday, or the star of a holiday table, it just fits! It’s approachable, doesn’t require a culinary degree, and the result is always, *always* fantastic. Plus, the smell alone as it bakes? Pure aromatherapy! It just transforms your home into the coziest, most inviting place on earth.
How to Make Grandma Ople’s Apple Pie
Ready to dive into pie perfection? Making Grandma Ople’s Apple Pie is a delightful journey, and I promise you, it’s totally worth it! Don’t be intimidated; we’re going to break it down super simply.
Simple ingredients you’ll need
First things first, let’s get our goodies together! You won’t need anything exotic for this masterpiece.
- For the apples: 6-8 medium apples (I love a mix of Granny Smith for tartness and Honeycrisp for sweetness and crunch!)
- For the filling magic:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (this helps thicken everything up perfectly!)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- A tiny pinch of allspice (optional, but it adds a nice little kick!)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (keeps those apples bright!)
- 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces (for richness!)
- For the crust (you can totally use store-bought, no judgment here!):
- Your favorite double-crust pie dough recipe, or two pre-made pie crusts.
- Optional: 1 egg (for an egg wash – makes it shine!), and a sprinkle of coarse sugar.
See? Nothing too crazy! It’s all about those fresh, quality ingredients coming together.
Step-by-step process
Alright, let’s get baking! You’ve got this!
- Prep those apples: First, peel, core, and slice your apples into even pieces, about 1/4 inch thick. Toss them gently immediately with that lemon juice to keep them from browning. Then, in a big bowl, combine your sliced apples with both sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Give it a good mix until every apple slice is beautifully coated – it’s going to smell amazing already!
- Crust time! If you’re using homemade crust, roll out one half of your chilled dough on a lightly floured surface. You want it big enough to fit your 9-inch pie plate with a little overhang. Carefully transfer it to the pie plate, trim, and then crimp those edges beautifully.
- Fill ‘er up: Pour your apple filling into that prepared crust, mounding it up slightly in the center. Don’t forget to dot the top of the filling with those small pieces of cold butter – it makes the filling extra luscious!
- Top it off: Roll out your second piece of dough for the top crust. You can go classic with a solid top, get fancy with a lattice, or even use cookie cutters for fun designs like leaves! Place it over the apples, trim, and crimp the edges to seal everything up tight. Cut a few little slits in the top crust; these are vital for steam to escape!
- Bake to perfection: If you want that gorgeous, golden sheen, brush your top crust with a whisked egg (just one egg, lightly beaten). Then, sprinkle a little coarse sugar over it. Pop your pie into a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for about 15 minutes. This high heat really helps the crust get wonderfully flaky! After 15 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and continue baking for another 40-50 minutes, or until that crust is beautifully golden brown and the apples are tender when you poke them through a vent.
- Patience, young grasshopper: This is the hardest part! Let your Grandma Ople’s Apple Pie cool completely on a wire rack for at least 2-3 hours. This allows the filling to set up perfectly, so you get nice, clean slices, not a runny mess. Trust me, it’s worth the wait!
Tips & Variations of Grandma Ople’s Apple Pie
This pie is already a stunner, but why not play around a little? You can certainly make Grandma Ople’s Apple Pie your own!
Fun twists to try
- Caramel Apple Delight: After you’ve got your apples in the crust, drizzle about 1/4 cup of store-bought or homemade caramel sauce over them before adding the top crust. Mind. Blown.
- Nutty Goodness: Add a 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to your apple mixture for extra texture and flavor. Toasted nuts are even better!
- Maple Magic: Swap out some of the sugar for real maple syrup in your filling for a delightful, autumnal twist.
- Cranberry Zing: If you love a bit more tartness, toss in a handful of fresh or frozen cranberries with your apples. It’s fantastic, especially around the holidays!
Make it your own
Don’t be afraid to experiment with your Grandma Ople’s Apple Pie!
Want a streusel topping instead of a full crust? Go for it! That’s a Dutch apple pie variation, and it’s super delicious.
Mix up your spices! A little ginger or even a touch of cardamom can add a unique flair.
The beauty of Grandma Ople’s Apple Pie is its versatility. It’s a fantastic base for all your creative baking dreams. So go ahead, have fun with it, and make this classic truly yours!
Conclusion
There’s something truly magical about baking, especially when it involves a timeless recipe like Grandma Ople’s Apple Pie. It’s more than just a dessert; it’s a bridge to cherished memories, a testament to the power of homemade goodness, and an invitation to create new traditions. So, gather your ingredients, turn on your favorite music, and let the comforting aroma of baking apples fill your home. This isn’t just baking; it’s an act of love.
Pin this idea, share your baking success, and try Grandma Ople’s Apple Pie recipe today – your taste buds (and your family!) will thank you!