Are you ready to ditch the takeout menus and embrace the comforting aroma of homemade goodness? This Bourbon Apple Pie recipe is your ticket to a delicious and surprisingly easy fall dessert. Forget those overly complicated recipes; this one blends simplicity with incredible flavor, making it perfect for both beginner bakers and seasoned pros. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this warm, spiced, and undeniably delicious pie— the perfect ending to any meal or cozy night in.
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 cloves
- 1/4 cup bourbon (optional, but highly recommended!)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions:
Making the Crust:
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in the butter: Add the cold, 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: 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. Toss them with the lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Combine filling ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and bourbon (if using). Gently toss to coat.
Assembling and Baking the Pie:
- 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 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 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 Bourbon Apple Pie:
- Use a mix of apples: Combining different apple varieties gives you a more complex flavor and texture.
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing will make the crust tough.
- Chill the dough: Chilling the dough helps prevent shrinkage during baking.
- Vent the top crust: Slitting the top crust allows steam to escape, preventing a soggy bottom.
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra decadent treat!
Variations:
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of ginger or cardamom to the filling for an extra warm flavor.
- Make it boozy: Increase the bourbon to 1/3 cup for a stronger bourbon flavor (for adult consumption only!).
- Add nuts: Toasted pecans or walnuts would add a delicious crunch to the pie.
Nutritional Information (per slice, approximate):
This will vary depending on the exact ingredients and serving size. For a detailed nutritional breakdown, use an online nutritional calculator and input your specific ingredients. Expect a pie slice to be relatively high in calories, carbohydrates, and fat, but it’s a delicious occasional treat!
Enjoy your homemade Bourbon Apple Pie! It's the perfect recipe for creating warm, delicious memories this fall. Let us know in the comments how yours turns out!