If you only know how to make one homemade fruit pie recipe, I highly suggest that it be this Apple Pie Recipe! It’s truly the best version of apple pie that I’ve ever made, and I know that it will be a hit, no matter if you’re baking for Thanksgiving or on a random Sunday afternoon. When you’re ready to branch out and make different types of pies, be sure to come back and grab recipes for Carrot Pie, Peach Pie, Cherry Pie, and Blueberry Pie next.
As American As Apple Pie
Apple Pie has long been considered the most “American” dessert there is. What’s more American than a homemade pie filled with fresh apples and cinnamon? Well, that’s complicated. The phrase, “as American as apple pie” has been a marketing catchphrase since 1924, but pastries with apples have been around for much longer, popping up in written recipes from Europe in the Late Middle Ages. Apples are cultivated in many countries around the world, and while China is currently the top apple-producing country, the United States comes in second. We grow most of these apples in Washington state, with New York, Michigan, and a few other states filling in the rest. If you were wondering, Washington produced over 5.4 Billion pounds of apples in 2009, which is the most recent data I find right now. That’s a lot of apple pies! If you love baked apple recipes, you should also try my vegan apple pie, and easy baked apple slices.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
What Are the Best Apples for Apple Pie?
There is no one “best” apple for making apple pies, but there are some that work better than others in this classic recipe. You want to use flavorful apples that will hold their shape when baked. Some apples will cook down into applesauce, and you don’t want that! In this pie recipe, I’m using Honeycrisp apples. They are delicious, and the apple slices are tender but still visible after the pie has been baked. Other apples that make great pies include Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Braeburn, Cortland, Fuji, Jonagold, and Golden Delicious. Feel free to use just one type of apple in your pie, or a combination of those listed here.
Homemade Apple Pie Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make the best homemade apple pie: Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Apples: Choose your favorite baking apple! Honeycrisp apples are my go-to for homemade apple pie, they are sweet and tasty with the perfect texture. Pie Crust: Before you start to prep the apples, be sure that you have your crust dough ready and chilling in the fridge. I have a fantastic recipe for an all-butter pie crust that is delicious with all types of pie fillings. Be sure to make the double recipe so that you have crust for the top and bottom of your apple pie. Egg Wash: We will use a beaten egg mixed with a bit of water to seal the bottom crust and make the top of the pie golden brown, sprinkled with coarse sugar. Caramel Sauce: The sauce that holds our apple slices is made with butter, vanilla, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and flour. It gives the apple pie filling a rich, deep flavor and the perfect amount of sweetness. Apple Pie Spices: They sell a spice mixture called apple pie spice, but I like to make my own! Cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, and a bit of salt are perfect in this recipe.
How To Make Apple Pie from Scratch
Recipe Tips
Make the Crust Ahead: Make my Homemade pie crust dough up to 2 or 3 days ahead of time. Store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it. Taste your Apples: Honeycrisp apples are quite sweet, so I can make this recipe with less sugar. If you’re using Granny Smith apples or another tart apple, you may want to add some additional sugar to the filling mixture. You might also just want a very sweet pie, and that’s okay too! Flour is Key: Be sure to mix the flour into the butter mixture. This is what thickens the filling and keeps it from becoming runny. Try Pie Shields: You might find that the outside edges of the crust will be finished cooking before the rest of the pie is. No problem! Use pie shields if you have them, or cover the crust edges with pieces of foil when they’re perfectly browned. Let it Cool: You don’t want to burn your mouth with hot apple pie! Be patient, it’s all going to be worth it. Serve Apple Pie with Ice Cream: A big, creamy scoop of vanilla ice cream is the perfect topping for this pie. Apple Pie A La Mode is the best way to enjoy it.
Storing Homemade Apple Pie
Once baked and cooled, you may keep the pie covered, on the counter, at room temperature for up to 2 days. I suggest using a pie or cake dome, or a pie pan that comes with a cover.
Pastry Cutter. For making the pie crust dough. Pastry Wheel. To easily cut the dough into strips for weaving. 9-Inch Pie Plate. This is the pie dish that I use, and I love how it comes with a lid that comes in so handy for storing! Pastry Brush. This is for brushing on an egg wash before baking your pie. I like to use a silicone pastry brush because it’s easy to wash and sanitize. Non-Slip Pastry Mat. I love this thing! It helps me to roll out pie dough without messing up my counter, and it has measurements on it to help know how large my circle is.
Otherwise, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezing Homemade Apple Pie
Freeze the Pie Unbaked or Baked. Unbaked apple pie should be wrapped in plastic wrap, then with foil, and stored in the freezer for up to a month. You can also freeze baked pie the same way. Bake After Freezing. If your pie is unbaked, unwrap it, and bake it from frozen as directed here, but add about 15 minutes to the baking time. If the pie has already been baked, let it thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature, then bake at 350°F/180°C for 15 minutes to get the top crispy again.
What To Serve With Apple Pie
Homemade Apple Pie is a delicious apple dessert that will be more than welcome at the end of any meal. I particularly love making apple pies in the fall when apples are the tastiest. Try making this recipe for Thanksgiving, along with your Roast Turkey and holiday side dishes. Need more Thanksgiving pie ideas? My Pumpkin Pie and Pecan Pie recipes are always a hit. Or, you can combine the two into one amazing Pumpkin Pecan Pie instead! I can’t wait to hear about how much everyone loved your apple pie this year! Be sure to Pin this recipe so you never lose it. © Little Sunny Kitchen
