Are you craving the warm, comforting embrace of a homemade apple pie? The kind that fills your kitchen with the sweet scent of cinnamon and apples, promising a delicious treat? Then look no further! This recipe delivers a classic apple pie experience elevated with a luscious swirl of heavy whipping cream. It’s the perfect blend of homemade comfort and decadent indulgence – a delicious dish perfect for any occasion, from casual weeknight dinners to special celebrations. Get ready to bake your way to happiness! This easy recipe is perfect for both beginner bakers and seasoned pros looking for a quick dinner idea or a healthy-ish dessert option.
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- 1/2 cup ice water
For the Filling:
- 6-8 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground allspice
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp butter, cut into small pieces
For the Topping:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
Making the Crust:
- Combine dry ingredients: Whisk together flour and salt in a large bowl.
- 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.
- Add water: Gradually add ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together. Don't overmix.
- Chill: Form the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
Assembling the Pie:
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll out 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.
- Prepare filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and lemon juice. Toss gently to coat.
- Fill the crust: Pour the apple mixture into the pie crust. Dot the top with 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.
- 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 foil.
Whipped Cream Topping:
- Whip it up: In a chilled bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
- Sweeten and flavor: Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form.
- Top and serve: Once the pie has cooled slightly, dollop the whipped cream generously over the top. Serve warm and enjoy!
Cooking Tips and Variations:
- For a richer crust, use half butter and half shortening.
- Feel free to experiment with different apple varieties for varying levels of sweetness and tartness.
- Add a sprinkle of coarse sugar on top of the crust before baking for extra sweetness and crunch.
- For a quicker option, use store-bought pie crust.
- Instead of heavy whipping cream, you can use vanilla ice cream or a scoop of your favorite frozen yogurt as a topping. This makes a fantastic healthy meal alternative!
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
Calories: Approximately 400-500 (depending on crust and apple type)
This delicious apple pie recipe is sure to become a family favorite. The combination of warm, spiced apples and the cool, creamy whipped cream is simply irresistible. Enjoy every bite of this homemade masterpiece!