Are you craving the warm, comforting aroma of freshly baked apple pie? The kind that fills your kitchen with the sweet scent of cinnamon and apples, promising a delicious treat? Look no further! This recipe guides you through making a classic double crust apple pie, a true testament to homemade cooking. It's easier than you think and the result? Pure deliciousness. This is one of those best recipes that's perfect for any occasion, from casual weeknight dinners to Thanksgiving feasts. Ready to get started on this easy recipe for a healthy and satisfying meal? Let's bake!
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 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 butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions:
Making the Crust:
- Combine 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 water: Gradually add the ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together. Don't overmix.
- Chill the dough: Form the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This step is crucial for a flaky crust.
Assembling 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 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 for 45-55 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 Apple Pie:
- Use cold ingredients: Cold butter is key to a flaky crust. Keep everything 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 it for 15 minutes before adding the filling.
- Adjust sweetness: Adjust the amount of sugar to your liking. Tart apples may require a bit more.
Variations:
- Spiced apple pie: Add a pinch of cardamom or ginger to the filling for extra warmth.
- Cranberry apple pie: Add ½ cup of fresh or frozen cranberries to the filling.
- Streusel topping: Sprinkle a streusel topping over the pie before baking for added texture and flavor.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
Calories: Approximately 350-400 (This will vary based on the size of your pie and the type of apples used.)
This easy recipe for a healthy, delicious apple pie is a perfect addition to your quick dinner ideas repertoire. Enjoy this homemade cooking masterpiece! It's one of those recipes that makes the house smell amazing and brings everyone together.