Description
This classic homemade apple pie recipe combines tart and sweet apples with a buttery double crust, creating a perfectly balanced dessert. Fresh lemon juice and zest enhance the apple flavors, while cinnamon adds a comforting warmth. The pie is baked to golden perfection with a crispy lattice or full crust, making it an irresistible treat for family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 6 large apples (Granny Smith, Pink Lady, or Honeycrisp)
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon butter (small pads for dotting)
Crust and Topping
- 1 recipe double pie crust
- 1 large egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon milk (for egg wash)
- Raw sugar (for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Prepare Apples: Peel, core, and slice the apples into ¼-inch thick slices. Place them in a large bowl and add fresh lemon juice and lemon zest to prevent browning and enhance flavor.
- Mix Filling Ingredients: Sprinkle sugar, all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, and salt evenly over the apples. Mix gently until the apples are well coated to help thicken the filling during baking and add spice.
- Rest Apple Mixture: Let the apple mixture sit for 15 minutes. This allows the juices to release and the apples to become slightly tender, improving the texture of the filling.
- Prepare Pie Crust: Roll out the bottom pie crust into a 12-inch circle and transfer it to a 9-inch pie plate, letting the dough hang over the edges to prepare for sealing the top crust.
- Add Filling: Fill the crust with the apple mixture and evenly distribute small pads of butter on top to add richness and buttery flavor during baking.
- Create Top Crust: If making a lattice crust, roll out the second crust and cut into strips, then weave across the pie alternately. Otherwise, place the second crust whole over the apples and trim excess dough, sealing edges by crimping.
- Egg Wash and Sugar: Whisk together the egg and milk, then brush this egg wash evenly over the top crust to achieve a golden color. Sprinkle raw sugar on top for added sweetness and a crunchy texture.
- Bake Pie: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Bake the pie at this temperature for 15 minutes to set the crust, then reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for another 40 minutes, until the filling is bubbling and apples are tender.
Notes
- Use tart and firm apples like Granny Smith, Pink Lady, or Honeycrisp to maintain texture during baking.
- Adjust sugar quantity depending on apple sweetness.
- Let the pie cool for at least 2 hours before serving to allow filling to set properly.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute pie crust with a gluten-free recipe.
- Use chilled butter and ice water for making the crust to achieve a flakier texture.
- If the crust edges brown too quickly, cover them with foil during baking.
