Ingredients:
For the Filling:
- 6-7 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix for a sweet-tart taste)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
For the Crust:
- 2 (9-inch) store-bought pie crusts or use your favorite homemade recipe
Equipment:
- Large bowl
- Medium bowl
- Rolling pin (if using homemade crust)
- 9-inch pie dish
- Sharp knife
- Pastry brush (optional)
Instructions
Make the filling:
- Prep the apples: Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples.
- Mix: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), and lemon juice. Toss gently until the apples are evenly coated.
Assemble the pie:
- Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
- Bottom crust: Roll out one pie crust (if using homemade) and line the pie dish, gently pressing the sides.
- Fill ‘er up: Spoon the apple mixture into the crust-lined pie dish. Dot the top with the butter pieces.
- Top crust: Roll out the second pie crust (if using homemade). Place it over the filling. Trim the edges, leaving about 1/2 inch overhang. Crimp the edges together to seal. Cut several slits into the top crust to allow steam to escape.
- Optional egg wash: For a golden-brown crust, whisk an egg with a tablespoon of water and brush it lightly over the top crust. Sprinkle with a bit of sugar if desired.
Bake:
- Initial bake: Place the pie on a baking sheet (to catch any drips) and bake for 15 minutes at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
- Reduce heat and continue: Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and bake for another 40-45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling through the slits in the top crust.
- Cool before serving: Let the pie cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing to allow the filling to thicken.
Tips:
- Variety is nice! Use a combination of apple varieties for the best flavor balance.
- Adjust sugar: If your apples are very sweet, you may want to reduce the sugar slightly.
- Thicken it up: For a thicker filling, add an extra tablespoon of flour.
- No soggy bottom: To help prevent a soggy bottom crust, you can blind bake it (without the filling) for a few minutes before adding the apple mixture.
- Serve warm with toppings: Enjoy a warm slice of apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
