Homemade Apple Pie Recipe - A Classic Delight

Introduction

There's nothing quite like the comforting aroma and sweet flavors of a freshly baked apple pie. This timeless dessert is a perfect balance of tender, cinnamon-spiced apples and a flaky, buttery crust. In this recipe, we'll guide you through the steps to create your very own homemade apple pie that will have your family and friends coming back for seconds.

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Baking Time: 45-50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Yield: 1 pie (8 servings)

Ingredients

For the Crust

- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

- 1 teaspoon salt

- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

- ¼ to ½ cup ice water

For the Filling

- 6-7 medium-sized apples (a mix of tart and sweet varieties like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced

- ½ cup granulated sugar

- ¼ cup light brown sugar

- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

- 1 tablespoon lemon juice

- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed

For Assembly

- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (for sprinkling on top)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Crust:

   - In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and granulated sugar. Add the cold, cubed butter and work it into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until it resembles coarse crumbs.

   - Gradually add the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing gently after each addition. Stop adding water when the dough starts to come together and can be pressed into a ball.

   - Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disc, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

2. Prepare the Filling:

   - In a separate bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Mix well.

   - Add the thinly sliced apples to the bowl and toss them gently until evenly coated with the sugar and spice mixture.

3. Preheat the oven:

   - Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

4. Roll out the Crust:

   - On a lightly floured surface, roll out one of the chilled dough discs into a circle large enough to fit your pie dish. Carefully transfer the rolled-out dough to the pie dish, gently pressing it into the bottom and sides.

   - Trim any excess dough from the edges, leaving a ½-inch overhang.

5. Fill the Pie:

   - Spoon the apple filling into the prepared pie crust, mounding it slightly in the center. Dot the top of the filling with small cubes of cold butter.

6. Roll out the Top Crust:

   - Roll out the second chilled dough disc into a circle slightly larger than the pie dish. You can leave it whole for a traditional crust or cut it into strips for a lattice design.

7. Assemble the Pie:

   - If using a whole crust, place it over the filling and seal the edges by crimping them together. Cut a few slits on the top to allow steam to escape during baking.

   - If using a lattice design, weave the strips over and under each other on top of the filling, creating a lattice pattern. Trim and seal the edges.