Description
A classic homemade apple pie recipe featuring a buttery and flaky pie crust filled with a warm, spiced apple mixture. This comforting dessert is perfect for any occasion, with tender apples cooked in a cinnamon and brown sugar sauce, topped with a golden, brushed egg wash crust that’s sprinkled with optional coarse sugar for added texture and sweetness.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Crust
- 1 Perfect Pie Crust Recipe*
Filling
- 1/4 cup butter
- 8 cups thinly sliced apples, peeled and cored
- 2/3 cup lightly packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon water
- Coarse sugar, optional
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set aside a 9-inch pie plate and preheat the oven to 425°F to ensure it reaches the proper temperature for baking the pie.
- Cook Apple Filling: Melt the butter in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add the apples, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, lemon juice, and salt. Stir together and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples soften, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool.
- Prepare Pie Crust Bottom: Divide the prepared pie dough in half if not already in discs. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc to about 1/8-inch thickness, slightly larger than the pie plate. Transfer the dough carefully into the pie plate, gently pressing it against the bottom and sides.
- Make Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water until well combined. Set aside to brush on the pie crust later for a golden finish.
- Assemble Pie: Pour the cooled apple filling into the prepared pie crust. Roll out the second disc of dough similarly and place it over the filling. Alternatively, cut the dough into strips and weave a lattice top. Cut vents in the crust if not braiding. Trim excess dough and crimp edges with your fingers to seal the pie.
- Apply Egg Wash and Sugar: Lightly brush the top crust with the egg wash. Sprinkle coarse sugar evenly over the top if desired, adding a sparkling finish and slight crunch.
- Bake the Pie: Bake in the preheated 425°F oven for 15 minutes. Then reduce the temperature to 350°F and continue baking for approximately 40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling bubbles through vents. If the crust browns too quickly, cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool completely before slicing to allow filling to set properly and enhance flavors.
Notes
- Use tart, firm apple varieties such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn for best texture and flavor.
- Make sure to cook the apple filling until softened but not mushy to maintain good texture.
- The egg wash gives the crust a shiny, golden-brown color and helps coarse sugar adhere.
- If you prefer a lattice crust, use strips cut with a pizza cutter and weave for a decorative top.
- Allow the pie to cool fully before serving to make slicing easier and filling less runny.
- Use aluminum foil to shield crust edges if they brown too quickly during baking.
- Pie crust recipe referred should be a standard flaky pastry dough; ensure it’s chilled before rolling for best results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of pie)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
