Are you ready to bake up a storm? This Honeycrisp Apple Pie recipe isn't just a pie; it's a journey into the heart of autumn. The sweet and tart Honeycrisp apples, perfectly spiced and nestled in a flaky, buttery crust, create a dessert that's both comforting and utterly irresistible. It's the kind of homemade cooking that will impress your family and friends, whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out with easy recipes. This recipe is perfect for quick dinner ideas, adding a touch of elegance to any meal.
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into cubes
- 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 honey
Instructions:
Making the Crust:
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in butter: Add the chilled butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingers to 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:
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, gently toss the sliced apples with granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, lemon juice, and honey.
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 filling: Pour the apple filling into the pie crust.
- 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 vents: 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 foil.
- Cool: Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack before serving. This allows the filling to set.
Tips for the Best Honeycrisp Apple Pie:
- Use very cold butter and ice water for a flakier crust.
- Don't overmix the dough. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a tough crust.
- Thinly slicing the apples ensures even cooking.
- For a richer flavor, use a combination of butter and shortening in the crust.
- A sprinkle of coarse sugar on the top crust before baking adds a beautiful crunch.
Variations:
- Spiced Apple Pie: Add a pinch of cardamom or ginger to the filling for an extra layer of warmth.
- Cranberry Apple Pie: Incorporate ½ cup of fresh or frozen cranberries into the apple filling.
- Streusel Topping: Create a buttery streusel topping by combining flour, brown sugar, oats, and cinnamon, and sprinkle it over the pie before baking.
Nutritional Information (per slice, approximate):
- Calories: 400-450
- Fat: 20-25g
- Saturated Fat: 12-15g
- Cholesterol: 30-40mg
- Sodium: 150-200mg
- Carbohydrates: 50-60g
- Fiber: 3-4g
- Sugar: 25-30g
- Protein: 4-5g
This delicious Honeycrisp Apple Pie is a perfect example of delicious dishes achievable through homemade cooking. Enjoy this easy recipe and share the joy of baking!