best apple pie recipe

Baking the perfect apple pie isn’t always easy – but it’s a rewarding experience. Especially when the crust turns out beautifully flaky and golden, wrapped around a deliciously spiced apple filling. With the right tips and a little practice, it’s much easier than it seems to achieve that irresistible pie.

You just need the right guide to get started. That’s where we come in with the best apple pie recipe – one that’s simple, reliable and delicious. From selecting the perfect apples to achieving a flaky crust, we’ll walk through every step to help create a great homemade pie that looks and tastes the part.

what is apple pie?

Before we get to the best apple pie recipe, let’s go over what this dish is all about. Apple pie is a traditional dessert that has a crisp and flaky crust and a sweet and spiced apple filling. 

The filling is usually a mix of thinly sliced apples, cinnamon, sugar and butter. This mix caramelises as it bakes and creates a rich and delicious flavour. The crust, made from flour, butter, sugar, salt, and water, adds a delicate crunch that perfectly complements the soft, tender apples.

This irresistible dessert can be enjoyed either warm or cold – it’s delicious either way!  It’s also served with ice cream or some cream. Sounds good? Let’s get to possibly the best apple pie recipe!

how to make apple pie?

Making this pie from scratch is easier with the right steps. This guide walks through everything and helps you learn how to make apple pie. The apple pie recipe has all the essential steps, from preparing the crust to creating a neat lattice top. It’s all you need to ensure that the pie turns out just right.

equipment:

• peeler
• mixing bowl
• rolling pin
• skillet
• pie dish

ingredients:

• 1½ kg apples (best varieties listed later)
• 1 pie crust recipe (provided below)
• 8 tbsp (~110gm) unsalted butter
• ¾ cup (~160g) brown sugar
• 1/3 cup (~75 ml) water
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder
• ¼ tsp nutmeg powder
• ¼ tsp ginger powder
• 3½ tbsp plain flour
• pinch of salt
• 1 egg
  

instructions

pie pastry preparation:

·       dough discs: the first step in our apple pie recipe is preparing the dough! this is used in the pie crust. so, before proceeding to the next step of preheating the oven, use our crust recipe below to prepare two dough discs. as instructed, let them chill in the refrigerator before rolling them out. while the dough is chilling, prepare the pie filling.

·       preheat the oven: set the oven to 200°c and let it preheat. make sure to do this after the dough discs have chilled, as mentioned in the pie crust recipe below. this ensures the oven warms up in time.

·       roll the dough discs: take the dough discs out of the fridge and lightly dust a clean surface with flour. grab a rolling pin and roll out one disc into a circle. this will be the base, so keep it slightly thicker for sturdiness. go for about 12 inches in diameter, so it’s a little bigger than a 9-inch (23 cm) pie dish. 

·       remember when rolling: if the dough starts sticking, just dust it with a little more flour to keep it smooth. start rolling from the centre of the dough outward, applying even pressure. after each few strokes, rotate the dough slightly to help maintain a round shape. keep repeating this process until you have a nice, even circle.

·       line the pie dish: after rolling out the dough, gently wrap it around the rolling pin to lift it easily. unroll it over the pie dish you’re using for this apple pie recipe. as you do that, ensure it covers the bottom and sides evenly. gently press it into the dish so it sits smoothly without any air pockets. remove any excess pastry from over the edge, and use a fork to prick the base multiple times, ensuring you do not pierce all the way through.

·       bake the bottom crust: cover the crust with foil or a pie shield to prevent over-browning. then, fill it to the top with baking beads (or dried beans or raw rice). this adds weight to keep the base flat and the pastry firmly against the dish. it also helps avoid shrinking as it bakes. take the crust out of the oven after about 25 minutes and brush it with an egg wash.

·       second dough disc: next, grab the second dough disc and roll it out into a circle that's a bit smaller – around 11 inches. once rolled, cut the dough into 10 to 14 strips, each about an inch wide. these strips will be used to create the lattice top. once you have your strips ready, you’re all set to move on to the fun part of assembling your pie!

pie filling preparation:

prepare the apples: give those apples a peel and slice them up – aim for around one-fourth of an inch.

·       prepare the apples: peel and slice the apples into pieces about a quarter inch thick.

·       apple mix: put the apple slices in a large bowl. add powdered cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg, along with sugar, salt and flour. mix everything well so the apples are nicely coated.

·       pre-cook apples: melt butter in a pan over medium heat, then add the coated apple slices and very little water. cover and cook for about 5 minutes, just until the apples start to soften. this step helps you in making the best apple pie recipe!

·       thicken the syrup: lower the heat and let it simmer for another minute until the syrup thickens. remove from heat, set the filling aside and continue with the assembly section of the apple pie recipe.

assembling the pie

fill and seal: carefully spoon the pie filling into the pastry-lined dish, ensuring a slight mound at the centre. be mindful to keep the edges free of filling so that you can seal the crust properly. arrange the strips from the second dough disc in a beautiful woven lattice pattern over the top of the pie filling. then, seal the top and bottom crusts together.

egg wash: gently apply an egg wash on the surface of the lattice lid and then sprinkle some sugar on the top. with this, most of your apple pie recipe is complete – only the baking stage remains.

bake: place the pie in the centre of the oven and bake at 200°c for 25 minutes. then continue baking at a reduced temperature of 190°c until for an additional 45 minutes or until the filling bubbles around the lattice lid and the pie crust is golden. let the pie cool completely for at least 2 hours before serving.

apple pie crust recipe

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Chilling: 1 hour

Nutritional Value: Mentioned above in apple pie calories

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (~185gm) all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• ½ cup (~115gm) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
• ½ cup ice water

Instructions:

·       combine dry ingredients: grab a bowl and add flour, sugar and salt to it.

·       mix in butter: add butter pieces and use your fingers to create pea-sized crumbs.

·       add water gradually: pour in ice water little by little, mixing until the dough holds together. avoid adding too much.

·       shape and chill: divide the dough into two parts, shape them into disks, wrap them in plastic and refrigerate them for at least an hour.

best apples to choose for your apple pie:

wondering how to make apple pie recipe perfectly? besides other tips that we'll discuss in the next section, one key step is choosing the right apples! 

while there are no strict rules, some apples are better for baking. choosing firm apples helps you get the best results from your apple pie recipe. soft, mushy apples can make the pie filling too soggy, so it’s best to avoid them. in the next section, we’ll share more tips to help you get the most out of your apple pie recipe!

·       granny smith: tart and firm, ideal for an apple pie recipe as they hold their shape well during baking.

·       fuji: sweet and crisp, providing a nice contrast when mixed with tart apples.

·       pink lady: a balance of sweet and tart flavours, great for adding complexity to your apple pie recipe.

·       golden delicious: mildly sweet, perfect for blending with firmer apples for texture.

·       braeburn: offers a spicy flavour and maintains firmness when baked.

tools required to make best apple pie

If you're planning to work on an apple pie recipe from scratch, you'll want to make sure you have the right tools at hand. The following list can be a helpful reference:

• Basic tools: First up, you'll need a measuring cup and spoons to make sure you add the right amount of ingredients as per your apple pie recipe. You'll also need a sharp knife for coring, peeling and slicing the apples. Speaking of slicing, a lattice cutter for pastry is a very useful tool. And so are a spatula and a pastry brush.
• Mixing bowl: Necessary to combine the apples with the sugar and spices.
• Food processor: Using a food processor in your apple pie recipe is a no-fuss way to create perfect pie dough.
• Rolling pin: A wooden rolling pin is a traditional choice but go ahead and use the one you have.
• Pie dish or plate: It’s essential to bake your pie in.

apple pie variations and creative twists

explore the best apple pie recipe variations! some are fruity, some have a crumbly topping, others are healthy and some even have tea. there's a pie for everyone – just learn how to make apple pie recipe variations and try them out.

apple chai pie: immerse yourself in the aromatic appeal of chai tea, infusing warmth and depth into this classic dessert.

dutch pie: enjoy the perfectly crumbly streusel topping – adding an extra layer of texture to the classic.

healthy pie: enjoy guilt-free goodness without compromising on the classic taste by replacing sugar and dairy with appropriate ingredients.

perfecting your apple pie skills

tips for baking the flakiest crust:

• use cold butter, flour and ice water. when cold butter mixes with flour and icy water, it creates layers of fat and gluten. these layers puff up during baking, resulting in a flaky texture.
• brush the crust with an egg wash for a golden sheen

troubleshooting common pie issues:

• soggy base: blind bake the crust or pre-cook the filling to reduce excess moisture
• mushy or undercooked apples: pre-cook apples briefly to ensure perfect texture
• preventing crust collapse: keep your pie looking perfect by giving the apples a quick cook before baking! just sauté them on the stovetop or roast them in the oven for a bit to help them hold their shape and keep your crust from sinking.

feedback from pie enthusiasts:

• many prefer pre-cooking the apples for a juicier filling
• some recommend using a combination of apple varieties for better texture and taste
• many find pie shields useful for preventing over-browning of crust edges

conclusion

we’ve covered everything about how to make apple pie – from picking the best apples to baking a flaky crust. while all the steps are easy, preparing some parts in advance (like the dough) makes the process much easier. with the right preparation, your apple pie recipe will turn out just right.

another thing to keep in mind, at least for the first time, is that you must follow all the steps and pay attention to the tips. this helps in avoiding mistakes. once you've mastered the recipe, you can get creative and try creating variations using different apples, spices and techniques.

enjoy the process, and soon, you'll have the best apple pie recipe.

faqs on apple pie:

Q. should you cook apples before putting them in a pie?

A. pre-cooking apples before putting them in a pie helps soften them. it also releases excess moisture and prevents a soggy crust. additionally, it enhances the flavours and makes the filling richer and more evenly cooked. lightly cooking the apples in a pan or baking them in the oven ensures a perfect texture.

q. what is the thickener in apple pie filling?

A. the thickener in pie filling is usually flour. it helps absorb the moisture released by the apples during baking, and by doing that, it creates a thicker and more cohesive filling. apart from flour, cornstarch can also be used to thicken the texture of the pie filling. 

Q. how do you keep the bottom crust of apple pie from getting soggy?

A. you can prevent the bottom crust of your pie from getting soggy by trying a few simple tricks. blind bake the crust for a few minutes to create a firm barrier (from moisture) before adding the filling.

Q. what is the apple pie rule?

A. the "apple pie rule" in vermont says that apple pie is the state pie! when serving it, you should try to serve it with one of these: a cold glass of milk, a slice of cheddar cheese (at least 14 gms) or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.