Are you ready to bake the most incredible apple pie you've ever tasted? Forget those soggy-bottom disappointments from the past; this recipe, inspired by the meticulous methods of Cook's Illustrated, guarantees a flaky, tender crust and a perfectly spiced, juicy apple filling. It's a delicious dish perfect for any occasion – from cozy weeknight dinners to Thanksgiving feasts. This easy recipe is surprisingly simple to follow, even for beginner bakers. Let's get started on this journey to homemade pie perfection!
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch cubes
- ½ cup ice water
For the Filling:
- 6 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions:
Making the Crust:
- Whisk dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in 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 ice water: Gradually add the ice water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing lightly until the dough just comes together. Do not overmix.
- Form dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and form it into two discs, one slightly larger than the other. Wrap each disc in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
Making the Filling:
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, gently toss the sliced apples with the granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and lemon juice.
Assembling and Baking 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 crust: Roll out the remaining dough into an 11-inch circle. You can 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.
Cooking Tips for the Best Apple Pie:
- Use cold ingredients: Cold butter is crucial for 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 an extra-crisp bottom crust, you can pre-bake the crust for 15 minutes before adding the filling.
- Adjust sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet pie, reduce the sugar by ¼ cup.
Variations:
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of cardamom or ginger to the filling for a warm, aromatic flavor.
- Add nuts: Incorporate chopped pecans or walnuts into the filling for added texture and flavor.
- Use different apples: Experiment with various apple varieties to find your favorite combination of sweetness and tartness.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: Around 350-400
- Fat: Around 15-20g
- Sugar: Around 30-40g
This easy, healthy, and delicious apple pie recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Enjoy this homemade treat! It's the perfect quick dinner dessert or a fantastic addition to any holiday gathering. The best recipes are often the simplest, and this one proves it!