There are few desserts as comforting and timeless as a warm, freshly baked apple pie. With its buttery, flaky crust and perfectly spiced apple filling, it’s a dish that feels like home. Whether you’re preparing it for Thanksgiving, a holiday feast, or simply as a weekend treat, this recipe will guide you through creating the best apple pie from scratch. Don’t worry—it’s easier than you think, and the results are worth every step.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Pie
Homemade apple pie is more than just a dessert—it’s a tradition. The combination of tender apples, sweet cinnamon, and golden crust is irresistible. Unlike store-bought pies, this one is loaded with fresh, real ingredients and none of the artificial stuff. Plus, you can adjust it to your taste by choosing your favorite apple varieties or even adding a twist with caramel, streusel, or nuts.
Ingredients
(Serves 8–10)
For the Pie Crust (or use store-bought):
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 6–8 tbsp ice water
For the Apple Filling:
- 6–7 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and sliced
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (for thickening)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp allspice (optional)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
For Egg Wash:
- 1 egg, beaten with 1 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt.
- Cut in the cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add ice water, 1 tbsp at a time, mixing until dough holds together.
- Divide dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Make the Apple Filling:
- In a large bowl, toss apple slices with sugars, flour, spices, lemon juice, and vanilla.
- Let sit for 15 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
- Assemble the Pie:
- Roll out one dough disc on a floured surface and fit it into a 9-inch pie dish.
- Fill with apple mixture and dot with butter cubes.
- Roll out second dough disc and place over filling (lattice top optional). Seal edges and cut small slits to vent.
- Bake the Pie:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Brush top crust with egg wash for golden color.
- Bake for 45–55 minutes, until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly.
- If crust browns too quickly, cover edges with foil.
- Cool & Serve:
- Let pie cool for at least 2 hours before slicing to allow filling to set.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Recipe Notes
- Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling)
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: ~2 hours 30 minutes
- Servings: 8–10
Tips & Variations
- Best Apples for Pie: A mix of tart and sweet works best. Try Granny Smith for tartness and Honeycrisp or Fuji for sweetness.
- Dutch Apple Pie: Swap the top crust for a buttery crumble topping.
- Caramel Twist: Drizzle caramel sauce over the apple filling before sealing the pie.
- Mini Pies: Use a muffin tin to make individual apple pies—perfect for parties!
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the crust and filling a day ahead and assemble before baking.
Nutrition (per slice, approx.)
- Calories: 380
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Protein: 3g
- Fat: 17g
- Fiber: 3g
This homemade apple pie recipe is a true classic. With its flaky crust and spiced apple filling, it’s the kind of dessert that brings people together around the table. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just a cozy weekend, baking this pie is sure to make any occasion feel special.
So grab those apples, preheat the oven, and treat yourself (and your family) to the best apple pie you’ve ever had.