Are you craving the warm, comforting embrace of a perfectly baked apple pie? The kind that makes your kitchen smell heavenly and brings a smile to everyone's face? Then look no further! This recipe, inspired by the classic comfort food, is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for family gatherings, cozy nights in, or simply satisfying that sweet tooth. It's easier than you think to achieve that melt-in-your-mouth, perfectly spiced apple filling nestled in a flaky, golden crust. Let's get baking!
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, very cold 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 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground allspice
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions:
Make the Crust:
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in the butter: Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Work quickly to prevent the butter from melting.
- Add the 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, one slightly larger than the other. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Make the Filling:
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, gently toss the sliced apples with granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and lemon juice.
Assemble and Bake the Pie:
- Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the larger 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 the pie: Roll out the smaller 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 in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 50-60 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 cold ingredients: Cold butter is key to a flaky crust. Make sure your butter and water are well-chilled.
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing develops the gluten, resulting in a tough crust.
- Blind bake (optional): For a crispier bottom crust, you can pre-bake the crust for 15 minutes before adding the filling.
- Adjust the spices: Feel free to adjust the spices to your liking. A dash of cardamom or ginger can add a delicious twist.
Variations:
- Add nuts: Toasted pecans or walnuts add a delightful crunch to the filling.
- Use different apples: Experiment with different apple varieties for varying levels of sweetness and tartness.
- Make a crumble topping: Instead of a top crust, use a streusel topping made from flour, oats, brown sugar, and butter.
Nutritional Information (per slice, approximate):
Calories: Approximately 350-400 Fat: 15-20g Saturated Fat: 8-12g Cholesterol: 30-40mg Sodium: 150-200mg Carbohydrates: 50-60g Sugar: 25-35g Protein: 3-5g
This nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used. Enjoy your delicious homemade apple pie! This easy recipe makes a healthy and delicious treat perfect for any occasion. It’s a wonderful addition to your collection of homemade cooking and best recipes. This quick dinner idea (or dessert!) is sure to impress.