Apple pie is a beloved dessert that captures the essence of home baking. With its flaky crust and sweet, spiced apple filling, it’s perfect for any occasion. Here’s a detailed recipe that will guide you through creating a delicious, homemade apple pie.
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 6-8 tablespoons ice water
For the filling:
- 6 cups thinly sliced, peeled apples (a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
For the topping:
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (for sprinkling)
Instructions
1. Prepare the crust:
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, and sugar. Add the cold butter cubes, and use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. The key to a flaky crust is to work quickly and keep the butter cold.
- Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, stirring gently with a fork after each addition until the dough begins to come together. The dough should be moist but not sticky. If necessary, add an extra tablespoon of water.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions, shape each into a disk, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least one hour (or up to two days).
2. Prepare the filling:
- In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt. Toss the mixture until the apples are well coated. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to allow the apples to release some of their juices.
- Sprinkle the flour and cornstarch over the apple mixture and toss again to combine. The flour and cornstarch help thicken the filling as it bakes.
3. Assemble the pie:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Place a baking sheet on the middle rack to catch any drips from the pie.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to fit a 9-inch pie pan, leaving a slight overhang. Carefully transfer the dough to the pie pan, pressing it gently against the sides and bottom. Trim any excess dough, leaving about a 1-inch overhang.
- Pour the apple filling into the crust, spreading it evenly. Dot the filling with the small pieces of butter.
- Roll out the second disk of dough to cover the top of the pie. You can either cover it completely and cut slits for steam to escape, or create a lattice top by weaving strips of dough over and under one another.
- Trim any excess dough, then fold the edge of the top crust under the bottom crust edge, pressing them together to seal. Crimp the edges with your fingers or a fork to create a decorative edge.
4. Bake the pie:
- Brush the top crust with the beaten egg to give it a golden color when baked. Sprinkle with granulated sugar for added crunch.
- Bake the pie in the preheated oven on the baking sheet for 20 minutes at 425°F (220°C). Then, reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and continue baking for an additional 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
- If the edges of the crust begin to brown too quickly, cover them with aluminum foil or a pie shield to prevent burning.
5. Cool and serve:
- Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before slicing. This cooling time allows the filling to set, making it easier to slice.
- Serve the apple pie warm or at room temperature, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Tips for the Perfect Apple Pie
- Choose the Right Apples: A mix of tart and sweet apples, like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, provides a balanced flavor and texture.
- Keep Ingredients Cold: Keeping the butter and water cold ensures a flaky crust. Handle the dough as little as possible to prevent the butter from melting.
- Prevent a Soggy Bottom: To avoid a soggy bottom crust, preheat a baking sheet and place the pie on it when baking. This helps the bottom crust cook through.
- Allow for Cooling: Let the pie cool completely to allow the filling to set. This will make slicing easier and prevent the filling from running out.
Enjoy your homemade apple pie, a timeless dessert that brings comfort and joy with every bite!
