Fresh apple pie is a classic dessert that brings warmth and comfort to any table. The sweet and tart taste of the apples combined with the flaky crust makes it a favorite among many. Whether you’re celebrating a holiday or simply enjoying a cozy evening at home, making an apple pie from scratch is a rewarding experience.
Why Make This Recipe
Making a fresh apple pie allows you to control the ingredients and flavor exactly how you want. Using a mix of tart and sweet apples gives the pie depth and complexity. Plus, the aroma of a baking apple pie fills your home with a delightful scent, making it hard to resist!
How to Make Fresh Apple Pie
Ingredients:
- 2 – 2 1/2 lbs of apples (a combination of tart and sweet apples)
- 4 tablespoons of cinnamon sugar mix (recipe below)
- Juice of a small lemon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
- Prepared pie dough (enough for a double crust—homemade or store-bought)
- 6 tablespoons of granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon of cinnamon
Directions:
Make The Cinnamon Sugar
To make the cinnamon sugar, mix together equal parts of granulated sugar and cinnamon. For this recipe, use 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. Set aside for later use.
Instructions For Making The Apple Pie
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Peel, core, and slice your apples into thin pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples with the juice of a small lemon, the 4 tablespoons of cinnamon sugar mix, granulated sugar, and flour. Stir until the apples are well-coated.
- Roll out your prepared pie dough into a large circle to fit your pie pan. Place it gently into the pan.
- Fill the pie crust with the apple mixture and dot the top with softened butter.
- Place another rolled-out dough circle on top to create a lid. Seal the edges by crimping them with your fingers or a fork. Cut a few small slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
Baking The Pie
Bake in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the apples are bubbly. You may need to cover the edges of the crust with foil if they brown too quickly.
How to Serve Fresh Apple Pie
Once your apple pie is done baking, let it cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Serve it warm or at room temperature. Many people love to add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top for extra sweetness!
How to Store Fresh Apple Pie
If you have leftovers, store them covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze the pie for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply bake it in the oven until warm.
Tips to Make Fresh Apple Pie
- Use a mix of apples for the best flavor. Granny Smith apples add tartness, while Honeycrisp or Fuji add sweetness.
- Don’t skip the lemon juice; it helps balance the sweetness of the apples.
- Make sure your butter is softened for easy mixing with the apples.
- For a golden crust, brush the top with an egg wash (an egg beaten with a little water) before baking.
Variation
You can add other fruits, like cranberries or raisins, to the apple filling for a different flavor. Spices like nutmeg or allspice can also add an interesting twist.
FAQs
Q1: Can I use store-bought pie dough?
Yes, store-bought pie dough can save time and is perfectly fine to use for this recipe.
Q2: What kind of apples work best in apple pie?
A mix of tart and sweet apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji works best to create a balanced flavor.
Q3: Can I make this pie ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can make the pie a day in advance. Just store it in the refrigerator after baking and reheat before serving.
Enjoy your delicious homemade fresh apple pie, and happy baking!
Fresh Apple Pie
Ingredients
For the Apple Filling
- 2-2.5 lbs apples (a combination of tart and sweet apples) Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji recommended
- 4 tablespoons cinnamon sugar mix Mix of granulated sugar and cinnamon
- 1 small lemon (juice) Helps balance sweetness
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened) For dotting on top of the filling
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Prepared pie dough enough for a double crust prepared pie dough Can be homemade or store-bought
- 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Instructions
Preparation
- Make the cinnamon sugar by mixing equal parts granulated sugar and cinnamon. Use 3 tablespoons of sugar and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon for this recipe.
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Peel, core, and slice the apples into thin pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples with lemon juice, 4 tablespoons of cinnamon sugar mix, granulated sugar, and flour. Stir until the apples are well-coated.
- Roll out the prepared pie dough into a large circle to fit your pie pan and place it into the pan.
- Fill the pie crust with the apple mixture and dot the top with softened butter.
- Roll out another dough circle to create a lid. Seal the edges by crimping with fingers or a fork and cut small slits in the top to allow steam to escape.
Baking The Pie
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the apples are bubbling. Cover edges with foil if they brown too quickly.
Serving
- Let the apple pie cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
