Homemade Classic Apple Pie Recipe: Sweet Autumn Comfort

Baking a classic apple pie creates memories that dance with nostalgia and warmth.

Sweet aromas will soon fill your kitchen, promising comfort in every slice.

Generations have cherished this timeless dessert, passing down secrets from one baker to another.

Crisp autumn apples provide the perfect foundation for a delectable treat that feels like a culinary embrace.

Buttery, flaky crusts cradle tender fruit nestled with cinnamon and sugar.

Precise techniques guarantee a golden, bubbling masterpiece that beckons everyone to the table.

Let your inner pastry chef shine and create a pie that whispers love in every delightful bite.

Why Classic Apple Pie Never Goes Out of Style

• Embrace Wholesome Comfort: Dive into a classic apple pie that wraps you in warm, nostalgic flavors reminiscent of family gatherings and cozy afternoons.
• Master Baking Skills: Perfect for bakers wanting to level up their pastry techniques with a straightforward recipe that teaches essential pie-making methods.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Guaranteed to impress guests and family members with its golden, flaky crust and rich, spiced apple filling that satisfies every sweet tooth.
• Adaptable Seasonal Treat: Celebrate autumn's bounty or enjoy year-round by selecting the best seasonal apples and adjusting spices to match your taste preferences.

What You Need for Classic Apple Pie

• All-Purpose Flour: A fundamental base that provides structure and texture to the pie crust.
• Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness to the crust.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the pie crust.
• Baking Powder: Helps create a light and flaky texture.
• Butter: Delivers rich flavor and helps create a tender, crumbly crust.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients and provide richness.
• Milk: Helps achieve a smooth and pliable dough consistency.

• Apples: The star ingredient that provides the classic pie flavor and filling.
• Sugar: Sweetens the apple mixture and helps create a caramelized texture.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic spice to complement the apples.
• Lemon Zest: Provides a bright, citrusy note to balance the sweetness.
• Lemon Juice: Prevents apple browning and adds a subtle tangy flavor.
• Vanilla: Enhances the overall depth and complexity of the filling.

• Egg Wash, Granulated Sugar: Creates a golden, shiny crust with a sweet crunch.

How to Bake the Perfect Classic Apple Pie

Step 1: Whip Up the Pie Crust

In a spacious mixing bowl, blend flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Incorporate melted butter and eggs into the dry ingredients, mixing until a cohesive dough emerges.

Gradually introduce milk, working the mixture until it becomes smooth and pliable. Divide the dough into two equal portions, wrap individually, and refrigerate for half an hour to firm up.

Step 2: Prepare Luscious Apple Filling

• Peeling
• Coring
• Slicing into delicate thin pieces

• Sugar
• Cinnamon
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice
• Vanilla

Step 3: Craft the Pie Assembly

Fire up the oven to 180°C (350°F). Roll out the first dough portion, draping it carefully into a pie dish.

Generously spread the seasoned apple mixture across the bottom crust. Unfurl the second dough portion, positioning it atop the apple filling.

Crimp and seal the edges with tender care, creating decorative borders. Artfully slice several vents into the top crust to allow steam escape.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the pie into the preheated oven. Bake for 50-60 minutes until the crust transforms into a gorgeous golden-brown shade and the filling bubbles tantalizingly.

Allow the pie to cool slightly before serving to let the flavors meld beautifully.

Tips for Classic Apple Pie Success

• Choose crisp, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best flavor and texture in your pie.
• Prevent a soggy bottom crust by sprinkling breadcrumbs or ground nuts before adding the apple filling.
• Brush the top crust with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar for a golden, sparkling finish.
• Allow the pie to cool completely before slicing to help the filling set and prevent runny edges.
• Substitute dairy milk with almond or oat milk for a lactose-free version of the pie crust.

Flavorful Apple Pie Twists to Try

• Caramel Apple Crunch Pie: Add a layer of homemade caramel sauce between apple slices and sprinkle toasted pecans on top for extra crunch and richness.
• Cheddar Cheese Crust Pie: Incorporate sharp cheddar cheese into the pie crust for a savory-sweet combination that enhances the apple flavor.
• Rustic Galette Style: Skip the traditional pie dish and create a free-form rustic galette with folded edges, giving a more rustic and artisan presentation.
• Spiced Maple Variation: Replace sugar with pure maple syrup and add nutmeg and cardamom to the apple filling for a deep, warm spice profile.

Best Pairings for Classic Apple Pie

• Pair Crisp Vanilla Bourbon
• Smooth bourbon's caramel notes complement the apple pie's warm spices, creating a luxurious dessert experience that elevates each sweet bite.
• Serve Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream
• Cold, rich vanilla ice cream melts beautifully over warm pie slices, balancing the cinnamon-spiced apples with a cool, silky contrast that delights the palate.
• Match Sharp Aged Cheddar
• Tangy, sharp cheddar cheese provides a savory counterpoint to the pie's sweetness, cutting through the richness and adding unexpected depth to each mouthful.
• Select Bold Black Coffee
• Strong, freshly brewed black coffee cuts through the pie's sweetness, cleansing the palate and enhancing the dessert's complex apple and cinnamon flavors.

Keeping Classic Apple Pie Fresh and Tasty

• Refrigerator Storage: Wrap the cooled apple pie tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezer Preservation: Carefully wrap the whole pie or individual slices in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container, lasting up to 3 months.
• Countertop Keeping: Store at room temperature for 1-2 days, covering loosely with a clean kitchen towel to maintain texture.
• Reheating Technique: Warm refrigerated or frozen slices in a preheated oven at 175°C (350°F) for 10-15 minutes, restoring the crispy crust and warm filling.

Apple Pie FAQs for Every Baker

• How do I prevent the pie crust from becoming soggy?

Ensure your apples are not too watery by draining excess liquid before filling. Sprinkle a thin layer of breadcrumbs or ground almonds on the bottom crust to absorb moisture and create a barrier.

• Can I use different types of apples for this recipe?

Yes, mix tart apples like Granny Smith with sweeter varieties like Honeycrisp or Golden Delicious for balanced flavor and texture. Avoid very soft apples that might turn mushy during baking.

• What's the best way to create a decorative top crust?

Use a sharp knife to create lattice patterns or cut small shapes like leaves. Brush the top crust with egg wash for a golden, shiny finish that adds visual appeal and helps the crust brown evenly.

Classic Apple Pie Recipe

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4.9 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 105 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sweet memories of grandmother’s kitchen come alive with classic apple pie, a nostalgic dessert that blends golden pastry and cinnamon-spiced apples. Warm slices served with vanilla ice cream invite you to savor comfort and tradition in every delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fruits and Filling:

• 3 large apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Lemon zest from 1 lemon

Dry Ingredients:

• 300 grams (10.6 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 150 grams (5.3 ounces) sugar
• 10 grams (0.35 ounces) baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 pinch salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 3 large eggs
• 180 milliliters (6.1 fluid ounces) milk
• 80 grams (2.8 ounces) melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Create a versatile pastry foundation by blending flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a spacious mixing vessel.
2. Incorporate melted butter and eggs into the dry mixture, kneading until a cohesive dough emerges.
3. Gradually introduce milk, adjusting to achieve a smooth, elastic consistency.
4. Partition the dough into two equal portions, encase in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for half an hour to enhance texture.
5. Meticulously peel, core, and slice apples into delicate, uniform pieces.
6. Gently coat apple slices with sugar, cinnamon, aromatic lemon zest, fresh juice, and vanilla essence.
7. Heat oven to 180°C (350°F), preparing for golden-brown perfection.
8. Roll out one dough segment, draping it carefully into a pie dish with gentle precision.
9. Distribute seasoned apple mixture evenly across the bottom crust, creating a luscious landscape.
10. Stretch the second dough portion over the filling, sealing edges with crimped precision.
11. Artfully score several slits across the top crust to allow steam escape.
12. Bake for 50-60 minutes, monitoring until the surface transforms into a rich, amber-golden hue.
13. Allow pie to cool slightly before serving, permitting filling to set and flavors to harmonize.

Notes

• Ensure apples are evenly sliced for consistent cooking and texture throughout the pie.
• Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent shrinkage and create a flakier, more tender crust during baking.
• Brush the top crust with egg wash for a beautiful golden-brown shine and professional bakery-like appearance.
• Consider using a mix of apple varieties like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp for a balanced sweet-tart flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 19g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 42g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 80mg