Are you craving the warm, comforting aroma of freshly baked apple pie? Forget those store-bought versions – today, we're making a homemade apple pie that's so delicious, it might just rival your grandmother's legendary recipe! This easy recipe is perfect for beginner bakers, offering a simple yet satisfying approach to this classic dessert. Whether you're searching for quick dinner ideas or a delightful treat for a special occasion, this apple pie is guaranteed to impress. Get ready to experience the joy of homemade cooking with this delicious dish!
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into cubes
- ½ cup ice water
For the Filling:
- 6-8 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and sliced
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions:
Making the Crust:
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in butter: Add the chilled butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Work quickly to prevent the butter from melting.
- Add water: Gradually add the ice water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing lightly until the dough just comes together. Don't overmix.
- Chill the dough: Form the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax, resulting in a flakier crust.
Assembling the Pie:
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and lemon juice. Toss gently to coat.
- Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer it to a 9-inch pie plate.
- Add the filling: Pour the apple filling into the pie crust. Dot the top with the small pieces of butter.
- Top crust: Roll out the second disc of dough and either place it over the filling or cut it into strips for a lattice top. Crimp the edges to seal. Cut several slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
- Bake: Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, cover the edges with aluminum foil.
- Cool: Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving. This allows the filling to set.
Tips for the Best Apple Pie:
- Use a mix of apples: Combining different apple varieties gives you a delicious blend of flavors and textures.
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing develops the gluten, resulting in a tough crust.
- Chill the dough thoroughly: This is crucial for a flaky crust.
- Vent the top crust: This prevents steam buildup, which can cause a soggy bottom.
- Let it cool completely: This allows the filling to set and prevents a messy pie.
Variations:
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of cardamom or ginger to the filling for a warm, aromatic twist.
- Add nuts: Toasted pecans or walnuts would make a delicious addition to the filling.
- Make it a crumble pie: Instead of a top crust, use a streusel topping made from oats, flour, brown sugar, and butter.
Nutritional Information (per slice, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 350-400
- Fat: 15-20g
- Carbohydrates: 50-60g
- Protein: 4-5g
This nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
Enjoy your delicious homemade apple pie! It's the perfect comfort food for any occasion, and a recipe you’ll want to make again and again. Happy baking!