Classic Homemade Apple Pie

Ingredients:

For the Pie Crust:

Double Crust Recipe:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 6-8 tablespoons ice water

Or Use Pre-Made Pie Crusts:

• If you prefer, you can use store-bought pie crusts, which makes the process quicker and easier. Look for ready-made, refrigerated pie crusts in the baking aisle of your grocery store.

For the Apple Filling:

• 6-7 cups of peeled, cored, and thinly sliced apples (use a mix of sweet and tart varieties, such as Granny Smith and Honeycrisp)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

For Assembling and Finishing:

• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (for sprinkling)

Instructions:

For the Pie Crust:

1. If Making Your Own Pie Crust: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, and mix until the dough just comes together. You may not need to use all the water. Be careful not to overwork the dough. Form it into two disks, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

For the Apple Filling:

3. In a large bowl, combine the peeled, cored, and sliced apples with the granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, and lemon juice. Toss the apples to coat them evenly.

Assembling the Pie:

4. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
5. On a floured surface, roll out one of the chilled pie crusts to fit a 9-inch (23 cm) pie dish. Carefully transfer the crust to the pie dish and trim any excess dough from the edges.
6. Spoon the apple filling into the pie crust, spreading it out evenly. Dot the top of the filling with the small pieces of unsalted butter.
7. Roll out the second pie crust and place it over the apples. Trim any excess dough, leaving about a 1-inch overhang. Press the edges of the top and bottom crusts together to seal the pie.
8. Flute the edges or use a fork to create a decorative edge. Make a few small slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
9. Brush the top crust with the beaten egg and sprinkle with granulated sugar for a golden finish.

Baking the Pie:

10. Place the pie on a baking sheet (to catch any drips) and bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
11. If the edges start to brown too quickly, you can cover them with aluminum foil.
12. Once the pie is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least a couple of hours before serving. This allows the filling to set.

Enjoy your homemade apple pie! You can serve it warm or at room temperature, and it’s delicious on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.