Making apple pie from scratch isn’t as hard as ppl think. I’ve been making this apple pie recipe for years and it always gets compliments. It’s got that perfect balance of sweet and tart with a flaky crust that’ll make u want seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Pie
Listen, I know there’s like a million apple pie recipes out there. But this one’s special. First time I made it for my family, my uncle who NEVER comments on food asked for the recipe. That’s when I knew I had something good.
What makes this apple pie different:
- The crust stays crispy even on the bottom (no more soggy bottoms!)
- Perfect balance of spices that won’t overwhelm the apple flavor
- Works with any type of apples u have on hand
- Can be made ahead and frozen
- Simple ingredients u probably already have
This recipe saved me last Thanksgiving when I forgot to prep dessert til the last minute. Still turned out amazing and nobody knew it was a rush job!
Ingredients for the Perfect Apple Pie
For the Crust:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (the regular stuff works fine, nothing fancy needed)
- 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed (gotta be cold, trust me on this)
- 1 tsp salt (just regular table salt)
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 6-8 tbsp ice water (the colder the better)
The secret to flaky crust is keeping everything cold. I put my flour in the freezer for 15 mins before starting. Sounds crazy but it works!
For the Apple Pie Filling:
- 8 medium apples (about 3 pounds) – I like mixing Granny Smith and Honeycrisp
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch (this is what makes the filling thick and not watery)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp coarse sugar (optional for topping)
For the apples, don’t worry if u don’t have the exact types I mentioned. I’ve made this with just about every kind of apple and it still turns out great. The key is mixing tart and sweet ones if possible.
How to Make Apple Pie
Step 1: Make the Pie Crust
- Mix flour, salt and sugar in large bowl
- Add cold butter cubes and use pastry cutter or just your fingers to mix until it looks like coarse crumbs
- Add ice water 1 tbsp at a time, mixing with fork until dough just starts holding together
- Divide dough into 2 balls, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic and chill for at least 30 mins (I sometimes do this the night before)
Don’t overwork the dough or it’ll get tough. I learned this the hard way!
Step 2: Prepare the Apple Filling
- Peel and slice apples about 1/4 inch thick (not too thin or they’ll turn to mush)
- Mix apples with sugar, cornstarch, spices and lemon juice in big bowl
- Let sit for about 15 mins – this gets the juices flowing
I don’t like my apple slices too thin. When they’re a bit thicker, they keep some texture after baking.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
- Preheat oven to 425°F
- Roll out 1 disc of dough to about 12 inches and place in 9-inch pie dish
- Pour in apple mixture, mounding slightly in the center
- Dot with butter pieces
- Roll out second disc and place over filling
- Trim edges, seal and flute or crimp
- Cut a few slits in top crust for steam to escape
- Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar if using
- Bake at 425°F for 15 mins, then reduce to 375°F and bake another 45-50 mins until golden and bubbly
The initial high heat helps set the crust so it doesn’t get soggy from the filling.
Sometimes I put a baking sheet under the pie to catch drips. Learned this after cleaning my oven 3 times in one month!
Variations of This Apple Pie
- Caramel Apple Pie – Add 1/4 cup caramel sauce to the filling and drizzle more on top after baking
- Crumb Topped Apple Pie – Skip the top crust and instead mix 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1/2 cup butter to make a crumbly topping
- Apple Cranberry Pie – Add 1 cup fresh cranberries to the filling for a tart kick
- Chai Spiced Apple Pie – Add 1/4 tsp each of cardamom and ginger to the spice mix
- Bacon Apple Pie – I know it sounds weird but add 1/2 cup cooked, crumbled bacon to the filling for a sweet-savory combo that’s amazing
I tried the bacon version at a potluck and was skeptical but it was so good I had to add it to my recipe!
Apple Pie Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Rolling Pin
- Pastry cutter (or hands)
- 9-inch pie dish
- Oven
- Knife
- Peeler
- Baking sheet (optional)
Ingredients
- For the Crust:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cold unsalted butter cubed
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 6 –8 tbsp ice water
- For the Filling:
- 8 medium apples approx. 3 lbs, peeled and sliced
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground allspice
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter cut into pieces
- 1 egg for egg wash
- 1 tbsp coarse sugar optional
Instructions
- Step 1: Make the Pie Crust
- In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, and sugar.
- Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add ice water one tbsp at a time until dough holds together.
- Divide into 2 discs, wrap in plastic, and chill at least 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Prepare the Filling
- Combine sliced apples with sugar, cornstarch, spices, and lemon juice.
- Let sit for 15 minutes to release juices.
- Step 3: Assemble & Bake
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Roll out one disc and place in a 9-inch pie dish.
- Fill with apple mixture and dot with butter.
- Cover with second rolled-out crust, trim, and crimp edges.
- Cut slits in the top for steam.
- Brush with egg wash and sprinkle coarse sugar if using.
- Bake 15 mins at 425°F, then reduce to 375°F (190°C) and bake 45–50 minutes until golden brown.
Notes
Nutrition
FAQ About Apple Pie
What is the secret to a good apple pie?
The real secret to good apple pie is using a mix of apple varieties and not skimping on the butter in the crust. Also letting the filling sit for a few mins before adding to the crust helps release the juices and prevent a gap between filling and top crust after baking. My grandma always said patience makes the best pies!
How do you keep the bottom crust of apple pie from getting soggy?
To prevent soggy bottom crust, I do 3 things: 1) bake the pie on lowest oven rack, 2) start with higher heat (425°F) for first 15 mins then lower it, and 3) add a bit of cornstarch to the filling to thicken juices. Some ppl prebake the bottom crust but honestly I’m too lazy for that extra step.
What are the ingredients of apple pie?
Basic apple pie ingredients are apples, sugar, flour or cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, butter, and pastry ingredients (flour, butter, salt, water). The quality of butter makes a big difference in the final taste.
What is the thickener in apple pie filling?
Most apple pie fillings use either cornstarch, flour, tapioca starch or instant tapioca as thickener. I prefer cornstarch because it makes a clear, glossy filling that isn’t cloudy like flour can be.
Is cornstarch or flour better for apple pie filling?
Cornstarch is better than flour for apple pie filling because it thickens at a lower temp, creates a clearer gel, and needs less product to achieve the same thickness. I used to use flour but switched to cornstarch after my pies kept turning out runny.
More Pie Recipes You’ll Love
If u loved this apple pie recipe, u should definitely check out my other pie recipes:
- Banoffee Pie Recipe with Caramel and Cream for when u need something different but equally impressive
- Chocolate Chip Cannoli Pie that combines two amazing desserts into one
- Peanut Butter Cup Pie for the chocolate and PB lovers
Final Thoughts on This Homemade Apple Pie
First time I made this apple pie was for my dad’s birthday. He’s super picky about desserts but this one got his approval. Now it’s requested at every family gathering.
What I love most about this recipe is how it brings ppl together. There’s something about the smell of apple pie baking that makes a house feel like home.
Don’t stress about making it perfect. Even if the crust cracks or the filling bubbles over, it’ll still taste amazing. That’s the great thing about homemade apple pie – it’s supposed to look homemade!
Give this recipe a try and let me know how it turns out for u. I bet it’ll become your go-to apple pie recipe too!