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The Best Homemade Apple Pie Recipe: Flaky Crust and Perfect Filling

Close-up of a golden, flaky slice of apple pie showing the thick, caramelized apple filling inside.
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Follow this straightforward recipe to create a classic homemade apple pie with a double, flaky crust and a cinnamon-spiced filling that tastes bakery-level but is simple to make from scratch.

Ingredients

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  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
  • 1/2 cup ice water, plus more if needed
  • 6 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4-inch thick
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for filling)
  • 1 large egg, beaten with 1 teaspoon water (for egg wash)
  • 1 tablespoon coarse sugar (for sprinkling)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pie Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Do not overmix. Divide the dough in half, form each half into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
  2. Prepare the Apple Filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons of flour. Toss gently until the apples are evenly coated.
  3. Assemble the Pie: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie plate. Trim the edges, leaving a 1-inch overhang. Pour the apple filling into the crust.
  4. Top the Pie: Roll out the second disk of dough. Place it over the filling. Trim the top crust overhang to match the bottom. Crimp the edges to seal. Cut several slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
  5. Apply Egg Wash: Brush the top crust lightly with the egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
  6. Bake the Pie: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any drips. Bake for 15 minutes at 425 degrees F. Then, reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and continue baking for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. If the edges brown too quickly, cover them loosely with foil.
  7. Cool: Let the apple pie cool on a wire rack for at least 3 hours before slicing. This allows the filling to set properly.

Notes

  • For the flakiest crust, keep your butter and water as cold as possible when making the dough.
  • If you prefer a Dutch Apple Pie, skip the top crust and cover the filling with a simple crumble topping made from 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup cold butter, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, mixed until crumbly.
  • Use a mix of tart apples like Granny Smith and sweeter apples like Honeycrisp for the best flavor balance.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://fooddexterity.com/best-homemade-apple-pie-recipe/