Classic Apple Pie (Printable)

Tender spiced apples in a flaky double crust, featuring warm cinnamon and nutmeg flavors.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pie Crust

01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
05 - 6-8 tablespoons ice water

→ Apple Filling

06 - 6-7 medium apples, peeled, cored and sliced 1/4-inch thick
07 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
08 - 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
09 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
11 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
12 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
13 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
14 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

→ Assembly

15 - 1 egg, beaten
16 - 1 tablespoon milk
17 - 1 tablespoon coarse sugar

# How-To Steps:

01 - Whisk together flour, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Add cold butter and cut in with a pastry blender or fingertips until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, stirring just until dough comes together. Divide dough in half, shape into disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
02 - Peel, core, and slice apples 1/4-inch thick. In a large bowl, toss apples with both sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, flour, and lemon juice. Set aside to allow flavors to meld.
03 - Preheat oven to 400°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disk to fit a 9-inch pie dish. Gently fit crust into pie dish. Fill with apple mixture, mounding slightly in the center. Dot with butter pieces. Roll out second dough disk and place over filling. Trim excess dough, seal and crimp edges. Cut a few slits in the top for steam to escape.
04 - Whisk egg and milk together. Brush mixture over top crust and sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired. Bake pie on lower rack for 45-55 minutes, until crust is golden and filling is bubbling. If edges brown too quickly, cover with foil.
05 - Let pie cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before slicing to allow filling to set. Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally with vanilla ice cream.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Perfectly Flaky Crust: Using cold butter and ice water creates an irresistibly flaky and tender crust every time.
  • Balanced Apple Filling: A mix of tart Granny Smith and sweet Honeycrisp apples, tossed with cinnamon and nutmeg, creates a filling that is never mushy and perfectly spiced.
  • Classic Comfort: It’s a quintessential American dessert that’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser and fill your home with an incredible aroma.
02 -
  • Keep it Cold: For the flakiest crust, ensure your butter and water are ice-cold. This prevents the butter from melting into the flour, creating steam pockets that result in flaky layers.
  • Apple Selection: Using a combination of apples like tart Granny Smith and sweet Honeycrisp provides a more complex flavor and a filling that holds its shape without becoming mushy.
  • Patience is Key: Allow the pie to cool for at least two hours before serving. This is crucial for the filling to set properly, so you get clean, beautiful slices instead of a runny mess.
Go Back