Apple Pie isn’t just a dessert—it’s a full-on nostalgic experience. Think warm cinnamon, golden flaky crust, and those tender, juicy apples baked to perfection. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Sunday dinner, or you just need a feel-good bite, this classic recipe hits the spot every single time.
Let me walk you through everything you need to make a seriously impressive apple pie—from picking the best apples to achieving that golden, buttery crust.
What Apples Are Best for Apple Pie?
Okay, let’s be real for a second. Not all apples are created equal—especially when it comes to pie. You want firm apples that won’t turn to mush in the oven.
Granny Smith is a fan favorite for a reason: it’s tart, crisp, and holds up beautifully. But if you’re feeling fancy, try mixing in some Gala or Ambrosia apples for a touch of natural sweetness. That combo? Chef’s kiss. You get the sweet-tart balance with just the right amount of bite.
How to Nail That Perfect Flaky Pie Crust
This is where the magic happens. If you’ve only ever used store-bought crust, I’m telling you—homemade will blow your mind. It’s buttery, it’s tender, and it makes the whole house smell like a bakery.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Keep everything cold—your butter, your water, even your hands if necessary.
- Don’t overmix. Just pulse or gently combine until the dough holds together.
- Chill it. Seriously, give it a nap in the fridge before rolling it out.
Roll it out gently, fit it into your pie dish, and boom—you’ve already won half the battle.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s your grocery list. Nothing weird or fancy—just good, honest ingredients:
- 1 batch of pie dough (for top and bottom)
- 8 cups sliced apples (peeled and cored)
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1 egg + 1 tsp water (for egg wash)
- Coarse sugar (optional, for sparkle)
Use whatever combo of apples you love—just make sure they’re firm.
How to Make Apple Pie: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 425°F. You want it hot and ready before you even think about that crust.
Step 2: Cook Your Apple Filling
In a large skillet or pot, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Toss in your apples, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, lemon juice, and salt. Stir it all together and let it simmer for 8 to 10 minutes. You’re not trying to fully cook them—just soften them and let the flavors come together.
Take it off the heat and let it cool for a bit while you roll out your crust.
Step 3: Roll Out That Dough
On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of your chilled pie dough and press it into a 9-inch pie plate. Don’t stress if it tears—just patch it up like nothing happened. This pie forgives.
Step 4: Add the Filling
Spoon in the apple filling. Make sure it’s evenly spread so every bite gets that perfect ratio of fruit and spice.
Step 5: Top It Off
Roll out the second disc of dough and place it over the top. You can go full classic with a full cover (cutting a few slits to vent), or get fancy with a lattice pattern if you’re feeling ambitious.
Brush the top with an egg wash—just one beaten egg mixed with a splash of water—and sprinkle with coarse sugar if you’ve got it.
Step 6: Bake Like a Pro
Place your pie on the middle rack and bake at 425°F for 15 minutes. Then, reduce the heat to 350°F and bake for another 40 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling.
Pro tip: If the crust edges start browning too fast, loosely cover them with foil.
Step 7: Let It Chill
Let the pie cool for at least an hour before slicing. I know—it’s hard to wait. But this helps the filling set, and you won’t end up with a hot apple lava situation.
Apple Pie Serving Ideas
Warm slice of pie? Check. Now let’s talk toppings.
- Vanilla ice cream is the classic. The cold creaminess against the warm pie? Literal perfection.
- Whipped cream, lightly sweetened.
- A drizzle of caramel sauce if you want to go big.
You can also serve this pie cold the next day—it holds up great in the fridge and might even taste better once the flavors settle in.
How to Store Apple Pie
Leftovers? Bless. Here’s how to keep that goodness going:
- Room temp: Covered loosely with foil, it’s good for 1–2 days.
- Fridge: Up to 4 days. Just wrap it or store it in an airtight container.
- Freezer: Freeze the baked pie for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
Apple Pie Variations to Try
Want to switch things up a bit? Here are a few spins on the classic:
- Add a crumb topping instead of a top crust for that Dutch apple pie vibe.
- Toss in some nutmeg or a pinch of allspice for deeper flavor.
- Stir in a handful of raisins or dried cranberries for a little surprise.
- Go wild and try a cinnamon roll-inspired filling. Trust me on this one.
And if you’re into serving your pie with a twist, apple pie à la mode is always a win.
More Cozy Apple Desserts
Once you’ve mastered apple pie, why stop there? Try these out:
- Decadent Gooey Butterscotch Nut Bars You’ll Crave
- Delicious Apple Crisp Cookies: A Cozy Treat for All
- Irresistible Apple Pie à la Mode That Will Warm Your Heart
Apple Pie
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 slices 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A buttery, flaky crust filled with warm spiced apples, this classic apple pie is the ultimate cozy dessert for holidays or any time you need a slice of nostalgia.
Ingredients
- 1 batch of pie dough (for top and bottom crust)
- 8 cups sliced apples (peeled and cored)
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 egg + 1 teaspoon water (for egg wash)
- Coarse sugar (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a large skillet, melt butter and add apples, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, lemon juice, and salt. Cook for 8–10 minutes, then let cool.
- Roll out one disc of chilled pie dough and fit it into a 9-inch pie plate.
- Pour in the cooled apple filling and spread evenly.
- Roll out the second dough disc and place over filling. Cut slits or create a lattice, and crimp edges to seal.
- Brush top crust with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired.
- Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake another 40 minutes, until golden and bubbling.
- Let pie cool for at least 1 hour before slicing.
Notes
Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for best flavor. Chill the dough before rolling for a flakier crust. Cover crust edges with foil if they brown too quickly. Serve with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or caramel sauce.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Final Thoughts
Making apple pie from scratch sounds fancy, but it’s honestly one of the most comforting, rewarding bakes you can make. It smells like fall, tastes like home, and disappears way too fast.
And hey, even if your crust isn’t perfect or your lattice is a little lopsided—it still tastes amazing. That’s the magic of apple pie.