Easy Apple Pie Recipe: A Deliciously Simple Dessert
Are you craving a warm, comforting slice of apple pie but intimidated by complicated recipes? Fear not! This easy apple pie recipe is perfect for beginner bakers and seasoned pros alike. It's surprisingly simple to make, yet delivers that classic, homemade apple pie flavor you crave. Let's get baking!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe uses readily available ingredients, ensuring a stress-free baking experience.
For the Crust:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- ½ cup ice water
For the Filling:
- 6-8 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix are great!), 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
Step-by-Step Instructions:
This easy-to-follow guide will walk you through each step, making apple pie creation a breeze.
Making the Crust:
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in the butter: Add the chilled, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- 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 them in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This helps prevent shrinkage during baking.
Assembling the Pie:
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and lemon juice. Toss gently to coat.
- 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 with the 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 vents: Cut several slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
- Bake: Bake 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: Different apple varieties offer varying levels of sweetness and tartness, creating a more complex flavor profile.
- Don't overfill the pie: Overfilling can lead to a soggy bottom crust.
- Blind baking (optional): For an extra-crisp bottom crust, you can pre-bake the bottom crust for 15 minutes before adding the filling.
Serving Suggestions:
Enjoy your warm, homemade apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. This easy apple pie recipe is perfect for any occasion – from a cozy night in to a special gathering with friends and family. Happy baking!
