Apple Pie Recipe: A Delicious Step-by-Step Guide
Are you ready to bake the most scrumptious apple pie? This recipe will guide you through each step, ensuring a perfectly golden, flaky crust and a sweet, spiced apple filling that will leave everyone wanting more. This isn't just a recipe; it's a journey to baking perfection! Let's get started!
Ingredients:
This recipe yields one 9-inch apple pie.
For the Crust:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into cubes
- ½ cup ice water
For the Filling:
- 6-8 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix are recommended), peeled, cored, and sliced
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground allspice
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions:
Making the Crust:
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in Butter: Add the chilled butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Work quickly to prevent the butter from melting.
- Add Ice Water: Gradually add the ice water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing lightly until the dough just comes together. Don't overmix.
- Chill the Dough: Form the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax, resulting in a flakier crust.
Preparing the Apple Filling:
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and lemon juice. Toss gently to coat the apples evenly.
Assembling and Baking the Pie:
- Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer it to a 9-inch pie plate.
- Add the Filling: Pour the apple filling into the pie crust. Dot the top with the small pieces of butter.
- Top Crust: Roll out the second disc of dough and either place it over the filling or cut it into strips for a lattice top. Crimp the edges to seal. Cut several slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
- Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 45-55 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, cover the edges with foil.
- Cool: Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving. This allows the filling to set.
Tips for the Perfect Apple Pie:
- Use a Mix of Apples: Combining different apple varieties gives you a blend of flavors and textures.
- Don't Overmix the Dough: Overmixing develops the gluten, resulting in a tough crust.
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough is crucial for a flaky crust.
- Blind Bake (Optional): For a crispier bottom crust, you can blind bake it for 15 minutes before adding the filling.
This detailed recipe ensures a delicious, homemade apple pie. Remember to adjust sweetness and spices to your preference. Enjoy your baking journey, and happy eating! Let us know in the comments how your apple pie turned out!
