A Taste of Nostalgia
The smell of a baking apple pie brings back warm and cozy feelings. It reminds us of family gatherings and good times. Make your own memories with this delicious recipe.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why Homemade Reigns Supreme
Baking your own pie from scratch is incredibly satisfying. It tastes much better than any pie you can buy from a store.
Unbeatable Flavor Profile
This pie offers a perfect mix of sweet and tart flavors. Warm spices dance on your tongue.
Flaky, Golden Crust
Enjoy a perfectly buttery, tender, and crisp crust. A great crust is the sign of a truly good pie.
Simple to Follow, Stunning Results
Even new bakers can make this recipe successfully. The steps are easy to follow.
A Crowd-Pleaser for Any Occasion
This pie is perfect for holidays, parties, or a quiet night at home. Everyone will love it.
Print
Classic Apple Pie Recipe: The 1 Best Way to Bake
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
This Classic Apple Pie features a buttery, flaky crust and a perfectly spiced apple filling. Sweet and tart apples combine with warm cinnamon and nutmeg for a nostalgic dessert that’s ideal for holidays or any cozy occasion.
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, very cold and cubed
1/2 cup ice water (plus more if needed)
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
6–7 medium apples (Granny Smith and Honeycrisp recommended), peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4-inch thick
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or 2 tablespoons cornstarch)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Add ice water, a tablespoon at a time, until dough comes together. Divide into two discs, wrap, and chill 30 minutes or up to 2 days.
3. Peel, core, and slice apples. Toss with granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour or cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and salt.
4. Roll out one dough disc into a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a 9-inch pie plate. Trim edges to leave 1/2-inch overhang.
5. Fill crust with apple mixture. Dot apples with small butter pieces.
6. Roll out second dough disc into another 12-inch circle. Place on top (or make a lattice). Cut slits for vents.
7. Trim and fold top crust under bottom crust edge. Crimp to seal.
8. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 15 minutes. Reduce oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake 40-50 minutes more, until crust is golden and filling is bubbly.
9. Cool pie on a wire rack at least 2-3 hours before slicing.
Notes
Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for best flavor.
Chill crust dough well before rolling and baking.
Adjust sugar to taste depending on apple sweetness.
To prevent a soggy bottom, chill crust before filling and bake on a preheated baking sheet.
For variation, try crumb topping, spiced filling, nuts, or caramel drizzle.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Why Make This Recipe
This Classic Apple Pie Recipe lets you create a delicious dessert from scratch. It’s a fun and rewarding experience that results in a pie everyone will love. The clear steps make it easy for anyone to bake a perfect pie.
Ingredients of Classic Apple Pie Recipe
For the Flaky Pie Crust:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, very cold and cubed
- ½ cup ice water (plus more if needed)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Irresistible Apple Filling:
- 6-7 medium apples (a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp works best), peeled, cored, and sliced ¼-inch thick
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour (or 2 tablespoons cornstarch for a clearer filling)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Directions of Classic Apple Pie Recipe
How to Make Classic Apple Pie Recipe
Preparing the Perfect Pie Crust:
- Method: In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour until it looks like coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces.
- Slowly add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Do not overmix.
- Divide the dough into two equal balls. Flatten each ball into a disc, wrap it in plastic, and chill it in the refrigerator.
- Chilling: Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 days. This is important for a flaky crust.
Creating the Aromatic Apple Filling:
- Apple Prep: Peel, core, and slice the apples into ¼-inch thick pieces.
- Combining Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently toss the sliced apples with the granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour (or cornstarch), cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Make sure all apples are coated evenly.
Assembling Your Masterpiece:
- Rolling the Dough: Take one disc of chilled dough. On a lightly floured surface, roll it out into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer the dough into a 9-inch pie plate. Trim the edges, leaving about a ½-inch overhang.
- Filling the Crust: Pour the apple filling evenly into the pie crust. Dot the top of the apples with the small pieces of butter.
- Topping the Pie: Roll out the second disc of dough into another 12-inch circle. You can place it directly over the filling, cut slits for vents, or create a lattice top.
- Crimping and Sealing: Trim the top crust, leaving a ½-inch overhang. Fold the top crust overhang under the bottom crust overhang. Crimp the edges together using your fingers or a fork to seal the pie.
Baking to Golden Perfection:
- Oven Temperature and Time: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the pie on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes.
- Covering the Edges: Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C). If the crust edges are browning too quickly, loosely cover them with aluminum foil.
- Continue baking for another 40-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly and tender (you can test with a sharp knife through a vent slit).
- Checking for Doneness: The apples should be soft when poked, and the juices should be thick and bubbling.
The Essential Cooling Period:
- Why It’s Crucial: Let the pie cool on a wire rack for at least 2-3 hours before slicing and serving. This allows the filling to set properly, preventing a runny pie.
How to Serve Classic Apple Pie Recipe
Serve your Classic Apple Pie warm or at room temperature.
How to Store Classic Apple Pie Recipe
Store leftover pie covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate it for up to 4 days.
Tips to Make Classic Apple Pie Recipe
- Apple Varieties Matter: Use a mix of firm, tart, and sweet apples for the best flavor and texture. Granny Smith for tartness and Honeycrisp for sweetness and crunch are great choices.
- Don’t Overwork the Dough: Mix the dough just until it comes together. Overworking it makes the crust tough.
- Adjusting Sweetness: Taste your apples and adjust the sugar amount. If your apples are very sweet, use a little less sugar. If they are tart, you might add a bit more.
- Preventing a Soggy Bottom: Chill your pie crust well before filling. You can also sprinkle a thin layer of breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes on the bottom crust before adding the filling to soak up extra moisture. Placing the pie on a preheated baking sheet also helps.
Variation
- Crumb Topping: Instead of a top crust, mix together 1 cup flour, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and ½ cup (1 stick) cold butter, cut into pieces. Crumble this mixture over the apple filling before baking.
- Spiced Up: Add ½ teaspoon ground ginger or a pinch of cardamom to the apple filling for extra warmth.
- Nutty Twist: Fold in ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts with the apples for added texture and flavor.
- Caramel Apple Pie: Drizzle ½ cup of your favorite caramel sauce over the apple filling before topping with the second crust.
FAQs
What are the best apples to use for a Classic Apple Pie Recipe?
A mix of apples works best. Granny Smith apples are tart and hold their shape well. Honeycrisp or Fuji apples add sweetness and firmness.
Can I make this Classic Apple Pie Recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the pie dough a day or two in advance. You can also assemble the entire pie and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking.
How do I prevent a soggy bottom crust in my Classic Apple Pie Recipe?
Make sure your pie crust is very cold before adding the filling. You can also pre-bake the bottom crust slightly for 10-15 minutes before filling, or sprinkle a thin layer of plain breadcrumbs on the bottom before adding the apples.