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Classic American Apple Pie Recipe

4.7 from 148 reviews

Classic American Apple Pie is a beloved dessert featuring a flaky buttery crust and a sweet, spiced apple filling. Perfect for holidays and family gatherings, this pie embodies warmth and comfort with a blend of tart and sweet apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Filling:

  • 67 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons flour or cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Crust:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 cup cold butter (cut into cubes)
  • 68 tablespoons ice-cold water

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Crust: In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Add cold butter cubes and rub them into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice-cold water, stirring until a soft dough forms. Divide the dough into two equal parts, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  2. Make the Filling: Peel, core, and slice the apples. In a bowl, mix the sliced apples with sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, flour or cornstarch, and vanilla extract. Toss everything together until the apple slices are evenly coated with the sugary spice mixture.
  3. Assemble the Pie: Roll out one portion of chilled dough on a floured surface to fit your pie dish. Gently transfer the dough into the dish, trimming excess edges. Pour the apple filling evenly over the crust. Roll out the second dough portion and cover the filling. Seal the edges by pinching or pressing with a fork, then cut small slits in the top to allow steam to escape during baking.
  4. Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the pie for 45–50 minutes or until the crust turns golden brown and the filling is bubbling through the steam vents.
  5. Cool and Serve: Allow the pie to cool for at least 1 hour to let the filling set. Serve warm, optionally topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a classic finish.

Notes

  • Use a combination of sweet and tart apples to enhance the flavor complexity.
  • Always use cold butter when making the crust to ensure a flaky texture.
  • The lemon juice balances the sweetness and prevents the apples from browning.
  • Allow the pie to cool before slicing for clean, neat servings.

Keywords: Apple Pie, Classic Dessert, American Pie, Holiday Dessert, Homemade Pie