Description
This Best Recipe for Apple Pie is everything you love about a classic homemade dessert — a flaky, buttery double crust filled with tender spiced apples, brown sugar, and a hint of lemon. It’s the ultimate comfort pie for any occasion, especially fall gatherings and holidays.
Ingredients
- 1 homemade double pie crust (2 sheets of pie dough)
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest
- Juice from half a lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
- 5 pounds apples (before peeling and coring)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon milk, for brushing the crust
- 1 tablespoon beaten egg (optional, for brushing)
- 1 tablespoon raw sugar, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Prepare Apples: Peel, core, and slice apples about 1/4 inch thick. Toss them in a large bowl with lemon juice, zest, brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and vanilla. Let sit for 10 minutes.
- Prepare Crust: Roll out one pie crust and fit it into a 9-inch pie dish. Trim excess edges.
- Fill the Pie: Spoon apple filling evenly into the crust, mounding slightly in the center. Add small pats of butter if desired.
- Top Crust: Place the second crust over the filling. Trim, fold edges, and crimp to seal. Cut small slits on top to vent steam.
- Brush & Sprinkle: Brush the top with milk and/or beaten egg, then sprinkle with raw sugar for a golden, crunchy finish.
- Bake: Bake for 20 minutes at 425°F, then reduce to 375°F (190°C) and bake another 35–40 minutes until the crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly.
- Cool & Serve: Let cool for at least 2 hours before slicing. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
- Use a mix of apple varieties (like Granny Smith + Honeycrisp) for the best flavor and texture.
- If the crust edges brown too quickly, cover them with foil halfway through baking.
- Let the pie cool completely before slicing so the filling sets properly.
- Pie can be made a day ahead — it’s even better the next day!
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert, Pie
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American