Apple Pie Recipe

Apple Pie is a comforting dessert which is perfect to bake during fall season. Apple pie made using apples, sugar, butter and cinnamon. This apple pie is easy to make like my pineapple pie , strawberry lattice pie and pumpkin pie and taste so delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Learn how to make perfect apple pie with step by step pictures, video, expert tips, faq.

Apple Pie

One of my favorite pie to bake is apple pie. I love the soft slippery cinnamon flavoured apples against the buttery shortcrust pastry. This is the one pie which I make often. In this recipe post,I have shared detailed step by step recipe for making the best ever apple pie. It is a long post so make sure to ready the entire post for all the tips, tricks and faq.

Jump to:

• About Apple Pie
• Watch Apple Pie Video
• Apple Pie Ingredients
• Choosing The Right Apples
• Tips for Apple Pie Filling
• Step by Step Pictures
• 2 Ways to Line a Pie Plate
• Pie Crust Designs
• Expert Tips
• FAQ
• 📖 Recipe Card

Making apple pie can be simple but you need to follow few steps to get the perfect apple pie every time. Get the apple filling right and I used my homemade shortcrust pastry recipe. It is a fool proof recipe, I use them for all my pies, tarts and stuffs like that.

About Apple Pie

Apple pie is an english dessert which comes from Britain. It is also made all around the world including America, Europe. Buttery shortcrust pastry filled with juicy apples, cinnamon and raisin mixture and baked till golden and flaky.

It is made with Apples, sugar, cinnamon and raisins. The filling is stuffed inside a shortcrust pastry and baked till golden. Apple pie makes an integral part in a dinner menu during Thanksgiving, Halloween and Christmas family dinners. Apple pie is a time consuming dessert to make, If you don't have much time on hand you can make my free form apple tart called as Apple galette.

This is a yummiest dish ever. This dish calls for shortcrust pastry. Try to use crunchy apple for this and you could also add some nutmeg in this. It gives a nice flavour. And also you could skip the normal sugar with brown sugar for lovely colour and sticky texture.

This pie is so delicious, the crust is buttery the filling is sweet, cinnamon and full of delicious stuffs. Apple pie is best served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Taste great when served hot or warm. The addition of lemon juice goes well with the apples. And never miss to add cinnamon, it really makes the dish. And the amount of sugar added in the apple pie filling totally depends on your preference.

You will love my Savoury chicken pot pie and French apple cake.

More Apple Recipes

• Cinnamon Apple Tea
• Apple Crumble
• Apple Crumble Muffins
• Upside Down Apple Cake

Watch Apple Pie Video

Why this Recipe works?

Perfect for Holidays - Apple pie is one of the most loved dessert recipe specially during holiday seasons like Thanksgiving, Christmas or Fall when apples are found in abundance. Apple pie is a great way to use up lots of apples at one time.

Easy to follow - the recipe is easy to follow and it is hard to mess up. Even if you mess up, it still taste delicious.

Feeds a crowd - this is a decadent dessert, a small slice with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream is enough to satisfy sweet tooth.

Freezes well - this is a great freezer friendly pie, that freezes well. You can make a batch and wrap it tightly and pop them in freezer. You can bake them straight from the freezer. Also baked leftover pies reheats well. It just needs few seconds in microwave or in oven.

Apple Pie Ingredients

Pastry Dough - for making apple pie we use butter pastry also known as shortcrust pastry. Flour is mixed with butter and sugar till it resembles coarse bread crumbs. Cold water is streamed in and formed into a dough. It is important for the dough to be cold when making pies.

Apples - Use good eating apples. Any crisp tasting can be used in making apple pie. Peel, core and slice apples into thin slices for apple pie. I prefer Honey Gold, Fuji, Gala or Granny Smith.

Sugar - sweeten the apple pie as needed. Some apples tends to be on the sweeter side, so taste and adjust sugar quantity accordingly.

Plain Flour - since this apples pie has raw apple filling instead of cooked. It is important to add some plain flour in the filling. Flour helps thicken the juices creates when baking.

Flavourings

Spices & Flavourings - any of your favorite spices can be added in the pie. Cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice goes well in the pie. I like to use a dash of vanilla which enhances the flavour.

Lemon juice - a drizzle of lemon juice just cuts down the sweetness from the pie. If you are using granny smith apples, you can leave out lemon juice. Since green apples tends to have a tang on its own.

Butter - I like to use some butter in the filling which create a glossy texture in the filling also makes the pie set as it cools.

Eggs - You can use eggs for egg wash. It creates a golden brown colour in the crust. You can use milk instead of eggs.

Optional - you can use raisins, This is optional but adds a honey like sweetness once baked. Also apples and raisins goes pretty good together. You can add orange, it adds a wonderful citrus note to the pie. Adding a splash of orange juice and zest pairs beautiful with apples.

Choosing The Right Apples

For Apple pie, use good eating apples. Any crispy apples can be used in making apple pie. I prefer Honey Gold, Fuji, Gala or Granny Smith. Granny smith apples has a natural tangy taste to it, so you can skip the addition of lemon juice in the apple pie recipe when using green apples. Also you can add more or less sugar in the filling when using green apples.

Use fresh apples for best results. When using apples for pie. Peel, core and slice apples into thin slices. Using thin slices of apples ensure that you get clean slices of apple pie once baked.

Tips for Apple Pie Filling

Apple pie filling can be made as per your preference. Traditionally it is made 2 ways. You can use cooked apple filling or use them without cooking. If you don't have time to make both, you can opt for canned or jarred apple pie filling. In my personal opinion, nothing taste best than freshly cooked apple pie filling.

Cooked Apple Pie Filling - For making cooked apple filling. Macerate apples at least 30 minutes before cooking to ensure the water from the apples come out so it gets cooked evenly. Add all the ingredients in a pot including sliced apples, spices, sugar and flavourings and toss to combine. Cook this for just 5 to 6 minutes, don't over cook the apple pie filling. Since it will continue cooking as it bakes.

Raw Apple Filling - You can toss apple with sugar, spices and fill it into the pie crust. If you use raw apple filling, you might need to add extra flour to thicken the juices. Also baking time will be high when using raw apples.

Apple Pie in 5 Easy Steps

Pre-Preparation - Butter a pie plate generously and set it aside.

Make Filling & Pastry - Make pastry as mentioned here. Make the filling by mixing sliced apples, sugar, spices, vanilla, flour in a bowl and cook it till thick.

Line Pie Plate - Remove the prepared dough out of fridge and cut into two equal portions. Take one of the dough and roll in between two sheets of plastic wrap.Line the pie plate with the sheet. Take the other sheet and roll exactly like the same.

Shaping Apple Pie - Fill the pastry lined dish with the prepared filling and cover it with the other dough sheet. Fold the rim and crimp it. Egg wash the apple pie top. Take a knife and make slashes in the centre of the dough.

Baking & Serving - Preheat oven to 220 degree C for 15 minutes. Bake apple pie in the oven for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 190 degree C and continue baking for 40 to 45 minutes or till golden. Once baked, remove from oven and let it set for 4 to 5 hours. Serve warm or chilled.

Step by Step Pictures

2 Ways to Line a Pie Plate

Pre-preparation

1)Butter a pie dish generously with butter and set aside.

Method 1

2)For making apple pie, you need shortcrust pastry dough. I have shared a detailed recipe for making pie dough here. You need sweet pastry dough for this recipe and you need one batch of the dough for making apple pie.

Once the shortcrust pastry is ready. Place them in fridge and let them get super cold. I usually make the pastry the day before I make apple pie or any pie.

Lining Pie Dish with Pastry

3)Take the shortcrust pastry dough from fridge. Divide the dough into two portion. You need one dough for the base of the pie plate and another one we will be using for the top.

Take one portion of the pastry dough now. You can keep the other half in fridge untill ready to use.

4)Shortcrust Pastry dough is made with butter and flour so it will be relatively sticky in nature and will break apart when not handled properly. You can use a silipat mat and dust them with flour before rolling. Or you can use plastic wrap or a sheet of parchment paper on the countertop. I have shared steps below. Check if needed.

Place one portion of the pastry dough over the silipat. Roll it large than the pie dish. You can sprinkle more flour as needed.

5)This is the technique I follow for removing the pastry. Take a rolling pin, roll the pastry over the rolling pin, now you can unroll it over the prepared pie dish.

4)Gently line the pie plate with the pastry dough. Don't stretch the dough. Gently lift and line the pie dish. It will shrink as it bakes.

Once the pie dish is lined. Prick it all over with a fork.

5)Now the pie dish is lined with pastry. Place the pie dish into the fridge until you make the filling.

Method 2

6)Shortcrust Pastry dough is made with butter and flour so it will be relatively sticky in nature and will break apart when not handled properly. Spread plastic wrap or a sheet of parchment paper on the countertop. Place one portion of the pastry dough over it.

7)Now cover the dough with another sheet of plastic wrap or parchment paper. This helps the dough from sticking to the rolling pin.

8)Now use a rolling pin to gently roll the pastry dough. Give firm amount of pressure when rolling. the plastic wrap will make this job easier. It will prevent the dough from sticking to the rolling pin.

9)Now the dough is rolled evenly and looks smooth.

10)Grab your pie dish and check. The rolled pastry should be larger than the pie dish.

11)Peel off the plastic wrap.

12)Now you can see smooth pastry sheet.

13)With the help of the plastic wrap, place the rolled pastry dough over the pie plate.

14)Gently line the pie plate with the pastry dough with the help of plastic wrap.

15)Peel off the plastic wrap gently.

16)Now the base of the pie plate is lined. You can prick it with a fork and put it in fridge until needed.

Slicing Apples for Pie

14)Peel apple skin using a peeler. Cut apples in half, remove the core and seeds from the apple.

15)Make sure to slice the apples very thin.

Macerating Apples

15)Take sliced apples in a pot which can be used for cooking too.

16)Add in sugar over the apples. I am using regular white sugar, you can use brown sugar as well.

17)Sprinkle over ground cinnamon. If you are not a fan of cinnamon, you can leave this out.

18)Sprinkle some plain flour over the apples. This helps absorbing and thickening the extra juices from the apples.

19)Add in vanilla extract.

20)Squeeze in some fresh lemon juice. If you are using green apples like granny smith. You can leave out the lemon juice.

Pro Tip: You can add in some orange juice over the apple. This enhances the taste as well as prevents the apple from going brown.

21)Toss the apples with all the ingredients.

22)Cover and let the apples macerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour. This will help melt the sugar and makes the apple soft.

23)After 30 minutes you can see a lot of moisture has come out from the apples.

Cooking Apples & Apple Filling

24)Dollop few spoons of butter over the softened apples.

25)Place the pot over heat and cook the apples till it soften a bit. The flour from the apple will thicken the filling a lot.

26)Cook for 5 to 6 minutes on high heat. You will see the apples has thickened a lot. Now the apple filling is ready. Allow this to cool completely before baking. You can put the filling in fridge to cool faster.

Meanwhile Preheat oven to 220 degree C or 428 degree F for at least 15 minutes.

Filling Apple Filling into Pie

27)Take the pie crust from the fridge. Spoon the filling into the pie crust. Make sure to load the pie crust with lots of filling.

28)Roll the other half of the pastry dough.

29)Gently roll it over rolling pin and unroll it over the pie crust.

Crimping Pie

30)Once the pie is lined, Seal the pastry edges with other half. Now crimp the edges together.

31)Now for egg washing, brush the top of the pie with beaten egg or milk as egg wash.

Baking Apple Pie

30)Make a small slit on the top of the apple pie. This helps the steam escape and the pie will get crispy on top.

33)Place the pie dish over a baking tray and bake in a 220 degree C preheated oven for 15 minutes, reduce the temperature to 190 degree C and bake for 40 to 45 minutes till golden and bubbly.

34)Allow the pie to rest for 4 to 5 hour before slicing and serving.

Pie Crust Designs

Pie is a beautiful dessert which can be customised as per your liking. Some of my favorite way to decorate a pie is listed below.

Rustic Pie - This is the method I prefer most of the time. It is a rustic way of making pie just like this recipe. It feels homey and is relatively easy to put together.

Lattice Pie Crust - Shortcrust pastry is cut into strips. The strips are arrange over the pie filling in a lattice like pattern. This looks beautiful once baked. I have shared a step by step tutorial image below for this method. I have the detailed pictures and steps in my strawberry pie recipe.

Crimping pastry - You can crimp the pastry in the sides to create an elegant design. Once the pastry is lined in the pie plate, use your fore finger and thumb to crimp the sides of the pastry. This simple design will elevate your pie to the next level. I have shared a detailed tutorial for this in my pineapple pie recipe.

Pie Decorations - Once pie filling is covered with the filling and another sheet of dough. You can cut out different shapes from the leftover pastry dough, place it over the pie and bake. Detailed decoration recipe.

How to Make Lattice Pie Crust

Lattice pie crust may look complicated but it is actually pretty easy to make. Once the pastry is divided in half, you roll one pastry and line the base of pie plate or pie dish. The other pastry dough is rolled and cut into strips.

Fill the lined pie plate with the filling and arrange the strips like a lattice pattern. Brush the pastry with a beaten egg and sugar. Bake till golden.

Expert Tips

• You can make the pastry a day ahead and store in fridge. You can store prepared shortcrust pastry in fridge upto a week.
• You can cook apple filling for 10 minutes so the apples soften bit and the filling will be thicker.
• Egg washing the pastry will make them golden brown.
• Allow the pie to rest for 1 hour for the filling to set before slicing.

Serving & Storage

this is a great freezer friendly pie, that freezes well. You can make a batch and wrap it tightly and pop them in freezer. You can bake them straight from the freezer. Also baked leftover pies reheats well. It just needs few seconds in microwave or in oven.

FAQ

Which Apple is best for apple pie?

Use good eating apples. Any crisp tasting can be used in making apple pie. Peel, core and slice apples into thin slices for apple pie. I prefer Honey Gold, Fuji, Gala or Granny Smith.

What does apple pie taste like?

Apple pie taste like fall. It is cozy, sweet and cinnamon scented. Combined with the buttery pastry it taste like heaven on earth.

Should I cook apples before pie?

Cooking apple filling will make the apple pie more sliceable. Cooking evaporates the moisture from the apple which makes the pie filling thick. Also make sure to reduce the baking temperature if you use cooked apple pie filling.

Why my apple pie disintegrated when slicing?

This happens if you don't allow your apple pie to cool completely before slicing. Always rest your apple pie for minimum 1 hour after baking for the pie to set.

How many apples to use in an apple pie?

You need to use at least 7 to 8 apples to make a small pie, the more apple you use the more tasty it will be.

How to Store Leftover pie?

Leftover apple pie can be stored in the pie dish covered with a plastic wrap in fridge upto a week.

How to reheat pie?

The crust of the pie when stored in fridge tends to get softer. I like to heat in microwave for few seconds. If you want you can bake it again in oven for few minutes till flaky.

How to make pie a day ahead?

You can make the pastry and filling a day ahead, assemble the next day and bake.

More Pie Recipes to Try

📖 Recipe Card

If you have any questions not covered in this post and if you need help, leave me a comment or mail me @[email protected] and I’ll help as soon as I can.

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