Classic American Apple Pie

There’s nothing quite as comforting as a warm slice of apple pie, especially when it’s made from scratch with fresh apples and a flaky crust. This classic recipe will guide you through making the perfect apple pie that’s sure to impress your family and friends.

Ingredients:

Pie Dough:

• 2 1/2 cups (310g) all-purpose flour
• 3 tsp granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 5 tbsp vegetable shortening, cold and cubed
• 1/3 cup ice water
• 1 whole egg + 1 egg white for brushing

Apple Pie Filling:

• 2 lb (before cutting) Granny Smith apples (4-5 apples)
• 2 lb (before cutting) Honeycrisp apples (3–4 apples)
• 1 lemon
• 1/2 cup (110g) unsalted butter
• 6 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup apple juices (from your sliced apples)
• 1/3 cup + 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (100g) light brown sugar, packed
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Raw sugar for sprinkling

Instructions:

Pie Dough:

1. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt.
2. Add cold butter and shortening; use a pastry cutter to blend until mixture forms pea-sized lumps.
3. Gradually mix in ice water until the dough is cohesive but not wet; adjust with more flour or water if needed.
4. Divide the dough into two halves, wrap each in plastic, and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.

Apple Filling:

1. Peel and slice apples into 1/8 inch thick pieces. Toss in a bowl with lemon juice and sugar to prevent browning.
2. Let apples macerate in the refrigerator for about 2.5 hours, or until they release 1/4 cup of juice.
3. In a saucepan, melt butter, then whisk in flour, apple juice, sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Cook to a caramel-like consistency.
4. Toss apples in the sauce, then layer into the chilled pie crust, creating a mound.
5. Top with a lattice crust, seal edges, and freeze the pie while preheating the oven to 425°F.
6. Brush with egg wash, sprinkle with raw sugar, and bake. Start at 425°F for 15 minutes, then reduce to 350°F and bake for another 50-60 minutes. Cover with foil if browning too quickly.

Prep and Serving:

• Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Cooking Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
• Calories: 510 kcal per slice
• Servings: 8 servings

Follow these steps to create a delicious and classic American apple pie that’s perfect for any occasion. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate dessert experience.