Indulge in the comforting aroma of this Easy Apple Pie that's bursting with the flavors of Granny Smith or Golden Delicious apples. This classic dessert recipe, with its flaky crust and perfectly spiced filling, is warming, hearty, and an excellent way to enjoy Fall flavors!
Apple pie is an American classic dessert that embodies comfort and warmth. It's made by filling a buttery, flaky pie crust with a generous amount of sliced apples mixed with sugar and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. When baked, it has a sweet-tart flavor with a hint of spice and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth crust. Often enjoyed warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, this cozy dessert is perfect for Fall!
This recipe for scratch made apple pie uses simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store. You can make a homemade pie crust or save time and buy one from the store. From then, you'll make the apple filling consisting of sliced apples, flour, sugar, seasonings, and lemon juice, cooking until tender. The filling gets transferred to the pie crust, where it gets assembled with the top and brushed with an egg wash.
The apple pie bakes in the oven for 45 minutes until the crust is golden and flaky and the apple mixture is bubbly, thick, and delicious! Whether it's Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a simple weekend dessert, this classic pie is a heartwarming addition to any occasion. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or enjoy it plain with a dollop of whipped cream!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- The combination of Granny Smith, Gala, or Golden Delicious apples gives a sweet-tart flavor profile that's irresistible.
- Nutmeg and cinnamon add an aromatic depth that elevates this apple pie to a warm and comfy dessert.
- Homemade apple pie is easy for both beginners and seasoned bakers.
- With its golden brown, flaky crust, and perfectly spiced filling, this homemade apple pie is the ultimate classic dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Apples (Granny Smith, Gala, Golden Delicious) - These apple varieties provide the perfect blend of sweet and tart flavors, making the filling rich and balanced.
- Lemon Juice - Adds a zesty brightness to the apple filling and prevents the apples from oxidizing and turning brown.
- Brown Sugar and Granulated Sugar - Contributes to the sweetness of the pie, with brown sugar offering a subtle caramel undertone that enhances the overall flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour - Acts as a thickening agent, ensuring the apple filling has the perfect consistency, not too runny or too thick.
- Salt - Enhances the flavors in the pie, balancing the sweetness and adding depth to the taste.
- Nutmeg and Cinnamon - These spices provide warmth and an aroma, infusing the pie with classic, cozy flavors that complement the apples beautifully.
- Vanilla Extract - Adds a fragrant, sweet undertone to the filling, elevating the overall flavor profile.
- Milk and Egg - Helps seal the pie crust edges for a tidy finish and gives the crust a golden shine when brushed on top.
- Homemade Pie Crust (or store-bought) - Forms the buttery, flaky vessel for the apple filling.
How To Make This Easy Apple Pie
Prepare for baking: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Prepare the apples: Peel and core the apples. Slice them into ⅛-1/4 inch slices. While slicing, add them to a bowl with the lemon juice and water to ensure they don't brown.
Cook the apple pie filling: Add the sliced apples to a large skillet over medium-high heat along with the brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla. Stir all ingredients together. Cover the apples for 20 or until the apples are tender while stirring them 3-4 times. Remove the apples from the heat and pour them in a single layer onto the prepared baking sheet. Cool in the refrigerator for 30-40 minutes.
Assemble the apple pie: Add the first layer of pie crust to your 9-inch pie plate. Pour the chilled filling into the prepared pie dish. In a small bowl, mix together the milk and eggs. Brush the egg mixture around the edge of the pie crust to seal the edges together. With your second piece of pie dough, roll it out and cup it into 1½ inch strips. Create a lattice pattern on top of the filling by weaving the pieces together. Crimp the edges of the pie together. Place the whole pie back into the refrigerator for an additional 30 minutes to chill the pie crust to firm up the fat source in the dough to keep it flaky.
Bake apple pie: Cover a baking sheet with a layer of tin foil and place it in the center of your oven. Preheat your oven to 425℉. Remove the pie from the refrigerator and brush the top of the pie with the remaining egg mixture. Cover the crust with a pie crust cover or carefully wrap tin foil around the edges. Place the pie on the baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350℉ and bake for an additional 30 minutes. Remove the crust cover and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the top of the pie turns a slight golden brown color.
Remove and serve: Carefully remove the apple pie from the oven and let it cool completely to thicken the filling. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Recipe Tips
- Choose a mix of Granny Smith, Gala, and Golden Delicious apples for a well-balanced flavor profile with different textures and sweetness.
- As you slice the apples, immediately toss them in the fresh lemon juice to prevent browning. This step ensures your pie has vibrant apples.
- Cooking the apple mixture in a skillet helps to concentrate flavors. Stirring every few minutes ensures even cooking and avoids sticking.
- After cooking, spread the hot apple filling onto a baking sheet to cool in a single layer. This quick cool-down prevents a soggy crust.
- When brushing the egg mixture around the pie crust's edge, make sure it's well-sealed. This prevents the filling from leaking during baking.
- After assembling the pie, return it to the refrigerator for an additional 30 minutes. This helps the crust maintain its shape and prevents shrinking.
- Placing a baking sheet in the oven while it preheats ensures even baking and catches any potential pie drips, keeping your oven clean.
Variations
- Experiment with a mix of berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries for an apple berry medley pie.
- Combine apples and pears for a flavor twist. The pear's subtle sweetness complements the apples beautifully.
- Drizzle caramel sauce over the apple filling for a rich, gooey indulgence.
- Sprinkle chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts on top of the apple filling before sealing the pie. The nuts add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
- Opt for a gluten-free pie crust to accommodate those with dietary restrictions. Ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free as well for a fully gluten-free pie.
- Instead of a single pie, make mini hand pies with smaller circles of pie dough. Fill them individually and bake until golden brown.
- Serve with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of cinnamon ice cream, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
Storing & Freezing
Storing: To keep your homemade easy apple pie fresh, cover it loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the pie is completely cooled before refrigerating to prevent condensation from making the crust soggy.
Freezing: Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place it in an airtight container. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, thaw the pie in the refrigerator overnight and then warm it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-30 minutes or until heated through. This method helps maintain the pie's texture and flavor.
FAQ
You can definitely experiment with different apple varieties. Granny Smith, Gala, and Golden Delicious are recommended for their balanced flavor but feel free to try others like Fuji or Honeycrisp based on your preference.
You can prepare the pie up to a day in advance. After assembling, cover it with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate. Then, bake it as instructed when you're ready to serve.
Yes, it's essential to cool the filling on a baking sheet to room temperature or slightly chilled in the refrigerator. This prevents the hot filling from melting the pie crust and ensures a crisp and flaky crust in the final pie.
More Fall Dessert Recipes
SHARE IT & RATE IT
I would love it if you would leave a 5 Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below. Then follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest! Share your favorite recipes or ask questions in my Facebook Group.
Easy Apple Pie
Equipment
- 1 9-inch pie plate
- 1 crust cover
Ingredients
- 5 lbs apples Granny Smith, Gala, or Golden Delicious
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 5 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ tsp nutmeg
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- tsp tsp milk
- 1 egg
- 1 homemade pie crust (top and bottom) Or a store-bought pie crust.
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Add fresh lemon juice to a large bowl. Peel and slice apples into ⅛-1/4 inch slices. As you slice the apples, add them to the bowl and make sure to cover the slices with the lemon juice to prevent the apples from turning brown.
- Pour the apples into a large skillet and cook over medium heat. Add brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Stir all ingredients together. Cover the apples for 20 or until the apples are tender. Stir the apples every 3-4 minutes.
- Remove the apples from the heat and pour them in a single layer onto the prepared baking sheet. Cool in the refrigerator for 30-40 minutes.
- Prepare your 9-inch pie plate with the pre-made dough. Pour the chilled filling into the prepared pie dish.
- In a small bowl, mix together the milk and eggs. Brush the egg mixture around the edge of the pie crust ( This will seal the edges of the pie together). With your second piece of pie dough, roll it out and cup it into 1½ inch strips. Create a lattice pattern on top of the filling by weaving the pieces together. Crimp the edges of the pie together.
- Place the whole pie back into the refrigerator for an additional 30 minutes to chill the pie crust. (This will help create a flaky crust)
- Cover a baking sheet with a layer of tin foil and place it in the center of your oven. Preheat your oven to 425℉.
- Remove the pie from the refrigerator and brush the top of the pie with the remaining egg mixture. Cover the crust with a pie crust cover or carefully wrap tin foil around the edges. Place the pie on the baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to 350℉ and bake for an additional 30 minutes. Remove the crust cover and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the top of the pie turns a slight golden brown color.
- Remove the pie from the oven and cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Feel free to get creative with various apple types. While Granny Smith, Gala, and Golden Delicious are suggested for their well-rounded taste, don't hesitate to explore options such as Fuji or Honeycrisp according to your personal preference.
- Cooling the filling to either room temperature or slightly chilled in the refrigerator is a crucial step. This helps avoid the hot filling from causing the pie crust to melt and guarantees a final pie with a crisp, flaky crust.
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
Leave a Reply