Apple Pie

 Here is a classic, foolproof recipe for a from-scratch Apple Pie with a flaky, buttery crust and a perfectly spiced filling. This is the quintessential American dessert that fills your home with an incredible aroma.

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🍎 Classic Apple Pie

Featuring a flaky, all-butter crust and a sweet-tart, cinnamon-spiced apple filling.

Prep time: 45 mins (+ 1 hour chilling) | Cook time: 1 hour | Serves: 8

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📝 Ingredients

For the Double Pie Crust:

• 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tbsp granulated sugar

• 1 cup (2 sticks / 225g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed

• 6-8 tbsp ice water

For the Apple Filling:

• 6-7 cups (about 2.5 lbs / 1.1 kg) peeled, cored, and sliced apples (a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp is ideal)

• ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar

• ½ cup (100g) light brown sugar, packed

• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour (or 2 tbsp cornstarch)

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

• ¼ tsp salt

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 2 tbsp (30g) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

For Assembly:

• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

• 1 tbsp coarse sugar (for sprinkling)

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Make the Pie Crust

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and sugar.

2. Cut in Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter. Use a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingertips to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces remaining.

3. Add Water: Sprinkle ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, over the mixture. Gently mix with a fork until the dough just begins to clump together.

4. Form Dough: Divide the dough in half. Shape each half into a disc, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 2 days).

2. Prepare the Filling & Assemble

1. Preheat Oven: Place a baking sheet on a lower oven rack and preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).

2. Mix Filling: In a large bowl, combine sliced apples, sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and lemon juice. Toss until apples are evenly coated.

3. Roll Out Crust: On a floured surface, roll one disc of dough into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer it to a 9-inch pie plate.

4. Add Filling: Pour the apple mixture into the crust, mounding it slightly in the center. Dot the top with the 2 tbsp of butter pieces.

5. Top Crust: Roll out the second disc of dough. Place it over the filling. Trim and crimp the edges to seal. Cut a few slits in the top to allow steam to escape.

6. Glaze: Brush the top crust with the beaten egg and sprinkle generously with coarse sugar.

3. Bake to Perfection

1. Bake: Place the pie on the preheated baking sheet (to catch any drips). Bake for 20 minutes at 425°F.

2. Reduce Heat & Continue Baking: Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C). Continue baking for 35-45 minutes, until the crust is deep golden brown and the filling is bubbly.

3. Cool: Transfer the pie to a wire rack and let it cool for at least 3-4 hours before slicing. This is crucial for the filling to set!

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💡 Pro Tips for the Perfect Pie

• Apple Choice: Using a mix of tart (Granny Smith) and sweet (Honeycrisp, Fuji) apples creates the best flavor and texture.

• Keep Everything Cold: The key to a flaky crust is keeping the butter cold and not overworking the dough.

• Prevent Soggy Bottoms: The hot baking sheet helps cook the bottom crust thoroughly.

• Test for Doneness: The filling should be bubbling through the vents. The apples should be tender when poked with a knife through a vent.

Serve warm or at room temperature, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream (à la mode)! Enjoy this timeless classic.