Autumn's arrival brings with it the comforting aroma of baking spices and the promise of delicious homemade treats. And what better way to celebrate the season than with a warm, gooey slice of apple pie? This recipe uses the sweet and tart Honeycrisp apple, a variety known for its juicy texture and incredible flavor, to create the best apple pie you've ever tasted. It's easier than you think to make this delicious dish from scratch, perfect for both beginner bakers and seasoned pros looking for a refined recipe. This is truly one of the best recipes for a comforting, healthy meal.
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 Honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground allspice
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions:
Making the Pie 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. Work quickly to prevent the butter from melting.
- Add ice water: Gradually add the ice water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing lightly until the dough just comes together. Do not overmix.
- Chill the dough: Form the dough into two discs, wrap each in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This crucial step prevents shrinkage during baking.
Assembling and Baking 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 the dough to a 9-inch pie plate.
- Add the filling: Pour the apple filling into the pie crust. Dot the top with small pieces of butter.
- Top the pie: 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 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 properly.
Tips for the Best Honey Crisp Apple Pie:
- Use cold ingredients: Cold butter and ice water are key to a flaky crust.
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing develops the gluten, resulting in a tough crust.
- Blind bake (optional): For a crispier bottom crust, pre-bake the crust for 15 minutes before adding the filling.
- Adjust sweetness: If your apples are particularly tart, you may want to add a little extra sugar.
Variations:
- Spiced Apple Pie: Add a pinch of cardamom or ginger to the filling for extra warmth.
- Apple Crumble Topping: Instead of a top crust, use a crumble topping made from flour, oats, brown sugar, and butter.
- Apple Pie with a streusel topping: Sprinkle a buttery streusel topping over the apples before baking for added texture and flavor.
Nutritional Information (per slice, approximate):
Calories: Approximately 400-450 Fat: 20-25g Saturated Fat: 12-15g Carbohydrates: 50-60g Sugar: 30-35g Protein: 4-5g
This recipe is a delightful way to enjoy the flavors of autumn. This easy recipe is perfect for a quick dinner idea or a special occasion. It is also a healthy meal choice, making it a great addition to your homemade cooking repertoire. Enjoy!