Description
This Best Classic Apple Pie recipe features a flaky homemade pie crust and a perfectly spiced apple filling made with a mix of tart and sweet apples. The cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger-infused brown sugar filling complements the buttery crust, creating a timeless dessert perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pie Dough
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- 3 to 4 tablespoons ice water (or chilled vodka)
Apple Filling
- 2 pounds apples (6 to 7 apples; a mix of Granny Smith and sweeter apples like Pink Lady, Envy or Cosmic)
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Topping
- 1 large egg (for egg wash)
- 2 tablespoons water (for egg wash)
- Coarse sugar, optional for sprinkling
Instructions
- Make the Pie Dough: Add the flour, granulated sugar, and salt to a food processor and pulse to combine. Add the cold butter cubes and pulse until the mixture resembles wet sand and starts to clump, about 20 seconds. Add 3 tablespoons of ice water or vodka, pulsing until a dough ball forms around the blade, about 20 seconds. Add additional liquid if needed. Turn dough onto a work surface, divide into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
- Prepare the Apple Filling: Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples about ¼ inch thick. Halve slices for a packed filling. In a large bowl, toss apples with brown sugar, flour, lemon juice, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
- Roll Out Bottom Crust: Remove one dough disc from fridge and let soften for 5 minutes. Lightly flour a work surface and roll out dough to a 12-inch circle. Roll dough around rolling pin and transfer to a 9-inch pie pan. Press dough into pan and trim edges leaving a ½ inch overhang.
- Add Filling and Top Crust: Pour apple filling into crust. Roll out second dough disc to 12-inch circle and transfer over the apples. Trim crust edges to match bottom crust. Press the edges together, folding under and crimping around the rim of the pie.
- Vent and Egg Wash: Cut 5 vents into top crust. Whisk egg with 2 tablespoons water and brush evenly over top crust. Sprinkle coarse sugar if desired. Chill pie in freezer while preheating oven, to prevent dough softening.
- Bake the Pie: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake pie for about 1 hour until crust is golden brown and apples are bubbling. Remove from oven and cool on a rack for at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic à la mode experience.
- Using a mix of tart and sweet apples adds complexity to the filling.
- Chilling the pie before baking helps maintain a flaky crust.
- Allow the pie to cool completely to let the filling set properly for clean slices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/16th of pie)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
