Are you craving a warm, comforting dessert that evokes feelings of home and family? Look no further than this classic apple pie recipe, made even better with a touch of McCormick spices. This isn't your grandmother's apple pie recipe (unless your grandmother was a culinary genius!), it's a streamlined version perfect for busy weeknights while still delivering that incredible homemade taste. Get ready to bake up a delicious and easy apple pie that will impress everyone at your table.
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- 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 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (McCormick preferred!)
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg (McCormick preferred!)
- ¼ tsp ground allspice (McCormick preferred!)
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp unsalted 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, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add water: Gradually add the ice water, mixing 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.
Making the Filling:
- Prepare the apples: Peel, core, and slice the apples. The thickness of your slices will determine the baking time; thinner slices cook faster.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, salt, and lemon juice. Gently toss to coat.
Assembling and Baking the Pie:
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- 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 slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
- Bake: Bake for 45-55 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 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 more complex flavor and texture.
- Don't overmix the filling: Overmixing can cause the apples to release too much liquid, resulting in a soggy pie.
- Blind baking (optional): For a crispier bottom crust, pre-bake the crust for 10-12 minutes before adding the filling.
- Use high-quality spices: McCormick spices really make a difference in the flavor of this pie.
Variations:
- Add a streusel topping: For an extra layer of deliciousness, sprinkle a streusel topping over the pie before baking.
- Use a different type of crust: Try a flaky puff pastry crust for a lighter, airier pie.
- Add other spices: Experiment with other spices, such as cardamom or ginger.
Nutritional Information (per slice, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 350-400
- Fat: Approximately 15-20g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 50-60g
- Sugar: Approximately 25-30g
This delicious apple pie is perfect for any occasion – from a cozy night in to a special gathering. Enjoy!