Are you ready to embrace the cozy flavors of fall? Then look no further than this delicious pumpkin apple pie recipe! This isn't your grandma's pie (though she'd probably love it too). We've taken the classic combination of pumpkin and apple and elevated it with a touch of spice and a perfectly flaky crust. This recipe is perfect for beginner bakers, offering a delicious and satisfying homemade treat without hours of complicated work. It's the ultimate comfort food, ideal for a chilly evening, Thanksgiving gatherings, or any time you crave a taste of autumn.
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:
- 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
- 1 cup applesauce
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended), peeled, cored, and diced
Instructions:
Making the Crust:
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt.
- Cut in butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add water: Gradually add ice water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing lightly until the dough just comes together. Don't overmix.
- Chill the dough: Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This helps prevent shrinkage during baking.
- Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out half of the dough into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer it to a 9-inch pie plate. Trim and crimp the edges.
Making the Filling:
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, applesauce, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Add apples: Gently fold in the diced apples.
Assembling and Baking the Pie:
- Pour filling: Pour the pumpkin apple filling into the prepared pie crust.
- Top crust (optional): You can either leave the top crust open or cover it with the remaining dough, cutting slits for ventilation. For a decorative touch, create leaf shapes or other designs.
- Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 50-60 minutes, or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. If the crust starts browning 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 properly.
Tips and Variations:
- For a richer crust: Use a combination of all-purpose flour and pastry flour.
- Add nuts: Toasted pecans or walnuts would add a delightful crunch to the filling.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a subtle warmth.
- Make it ahead: The pie crust can be made a day in advance and kept refrigerated.
- Serve warm or cold: This pie is delicious both warm and at room temperature. A scoop of vanilla ice cream is the perfect complement.
Nutritional Information (per slice, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 400-450
- Fat: Approximately 20-25g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 12-15g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 50-60g
- Sugar: Approximately 30-35g
- Protein: Approximately 4-5g
This Pumpkin Apple Pie recipe is a fantastic example of delicious and easy recipes, perfect for quick dinner ideas or a special occasion. Enjoy the homemade cooking experience and the satisfying taste of this autumnal masterpiece! It's one of the best recipes you'll find for a truly delightful and healthy meal.