There is something utterly magical about the Classic Homemade Apple Pie Recipe that brings warm memories, cozy kitchens, and the sweetest aromas all together in one delicious slice. This timeless dessert combines tart and tender apples with just the right hint of spice wrapped in a flaky, buttery crust. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just craving comfort food, this apple pie never fails to delight with every bite bursting with nostalgia and love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are the heart and soul of your Classic Homemade Apple Pie Recipe. Each one is simple, yet essential, working together to create the perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and flaky texture.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure to the crust and thickens the filling for that perfect hold.
- Salt: Enhances both the crust and filling flavors with a subtle but crucial touch.
- Sugar (granulated and brown): Adds sweetness and depth, with brown sugar imparting a rich, caramel undertone.
- Unsalted butter: The star of the crust, chilled and cubed for flaky layers and buttery richness.
- Ice water: Helps bring the dough together while keeping it tender and easy to roll.
- Tart apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp): Provide that perfect balance of tartness and natural sweetness, holding their shape beautifully.
- Spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice): Infuse the filling with warm, cozy flavor that makes every bite memorable.
- Lemon juice: Brightens the filling, preventing apples from browning and adding a fresh zing.
- Egg and milk: Combined for an egg wash that creates a golden, glossy crust that’s simply irresistible.
How to Make Classic Homemade Apple Pie Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Pie Dough
Start by mixing flour, salt, and sugar in a large bowl to create the foundation of your crust. Cut in the chilled, cubed butter with your fingertips or a pastry cutter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs—this ensures that flaky texture we all love. Slowly add ice water, just enough for the dough to hold together without being sticky. Divide into two disks, wrap them, and chill for at least an hour. This resting time helps the gluten relax, making your dough easier to roll out and creating a tender crust.
Step 2: Make the Apple Filling
While the dough chills, toss those tart, crisp apple slices with granulated and brown sugars, flour, and spices. Don’t forget a sprinkle of salt and a good splash of lemon juice—the perfect combo to balance sweetness and prevent browning. This mixture is where the magic starts, marrying juicy apples with aromatic spices to fill your kitchen with an irresistible scent.
Step 3: Assemble Your Pie
After preheating your oven, roll out one dough disk and gently fit it into your pie plate, making sure the edges aren’t too thin to handle the bubbling filling. Spoon in your spiced apple mixture and dot it with cubed butter—it melts into the filling, adding pockets of richness. Top it with the second rolled out dough disk, seal and crimp the edges with love, and don’t forget to cut slits in the top crust so steam can escape.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Give your pie a beautiful golden finish by brushing on an egg wash made from whisked egg and milk. Start baking at a higher temperature to set the crust, then lower it so the apples can cook slowly, bubbling and caramelizing to perfection. After about an hour, your pie will be golden and fragrant. Let it cool thoroughly to let the filling set—this waiting part is hard, but so worth it!
How to Serve Classic Homemade Apple Pie Recipe
Garnishes
Your Classic Homemade Apple Pie Recipe shines on its own, but a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream adds a creamy counterpoint to the warm spices and flaky crust. A sprinkle of powdered sugar or a cinnamon stick alongside can elevate the presentation, turning every slice into a little celebration.
Side Dishes
Pair this apple pie with simple sides that complement rather than compete. A cup of freshly brewed coffee or a glass of cold milk can perfectly balance the sweetness. For something special, try serving alongside sharp cheddar cheese for that classic sweet-and-savory twist beloved in many households.
Creative Ways to Present
Imagine serving individual mini pies or hand pies filled with the same luscious apple mixture for parties—they’re portable and adorable. You can also serve warm pie slices with caramel drizzle or sprinkle with chopped nuts for added texture and flavor layers. Presentation is all about adding your personal touch while savoring that timeless pie.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover pie keeps beautifully when wrapped tightly with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Refrigeration extends its life to about four days and helps maintain the crust’s texture without making it soggy.
Freezing
If you want to make your Classic Homemade Apple Pie Recipe ahead of time, freezing is the way to go. Freeze the unbaked pie wrapped in foil or plastic wrap for up to three months. Bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time, so you can enjoy fresh-baked pie anytime.
Reheating
Reheat slices gently in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15 minutes to restore the flaky crust’s texture and warm the filling just right. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep that perfect crust crispiness, but it works in a pinch!
FAQs
Can I use other types of apples for this pie?
Absolutely! While Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are ideal for their tartness and texture, you can mix in Fuji, Pink Lady, or Braeburn apples. Just keep a balance between tart and sweet apples to maintain the classic flavor profile.
Why do I need to chill the dough?
Chilling relaxes the gluten formed during mixing and keeps the butter cold, which is key for creating flaky layers in the crust. It also makes rolling the dough much easier and less sticky.
How can I prevent a soggy bottom crust?
Make sure to use enough flour in the filling to absorb excess moisture and bake the pie long enough so the juices thicken well. Also, starting at a higher temperature helps set the crust quickly, preventing sogginess.
Can I make this pie vegan?
You can swap butter for a plant-based alternative and use a flax egg or other egg substitute for the wash, though the crust texture and golden finish might be slightly different. The filling ingredients are naturally vegan-friendly.
How long does the pie keep its best flavor?
For optimal taste and texture, enjoy the pie within 2 days at room temperature or up to 4 days refrigerated. Beyond that, the crust may lose its flakiness and the filling can become overly soft.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so heartwarming about making and sharing a Classic Homemade Apple Pie Recipe. It’s more than just a dessert; it’s a slice of tradition, comfort, and joy baked into every layer of flaky crust and every spiced apple bite. I encourage you to get into your kitchen, roll up your sleeves, and bring this timeless pie to life—it’s sure to become a cherished favorite for years to come.
Print
Classic Homemade Apple Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings (8 slices)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This classic Apple Pie recipe features a flaky, buttery crust filled with a spiced mixture of tart apples. Perfectly balanced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar, this homemade pie is baked to golden perfection and makes a delightful dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the Pie Crust
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- 6 to 8 tablespoons ice water
For the Apple Filling
- 6 to 7 cups tart apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
For the Egg Wash
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Prepare the pie crust: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar. Cut in the chilled, cubed butter using a pastry cutter or fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until the dough just comes together. Divide the dough into two equal disks, wrap each in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Make the apple filling: In a large bowl, toss the thinly sliced tart apples with granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, salt, and lemon juice until well combined. Set the mixture aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Assemble the pie: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of chilled dough into a circle large enough to fit a 9-inch pie plate. Transfer the dough to the pie plate, gently pressing it to fit. Pour the apple filling into the crust and dot the top with the cubed butter. Roll out the second disk of dough and place it over the filling. Trim any excess dough and crimp the edges to seal. Cut several slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Apply egg wash and bake: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk to make an egg wash. Brush it evenly over the top crust to achieve a golden, shiny finish once baked. Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes at 425°F (220°C). Then reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and bake for an additional 40 to 50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Once done, remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp to balance the sweetness with acidity.
- Make sure to chill the dough properly to ensure a flaky crust.
- Cover edges with foil if they brown too quickly during baking.
- Let the pie cool before slicing to allow the filling to set.
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat.
