What is the secret to a good apple pie?

The secret to a perfect apple pie recipe lies in three key elements: using the right apples, making a flaky homemade pie crust, and balancing the flavors in the apple pie filling. Choose Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples for the best texture, keep your butter and dough cold for a flaky crust, and add cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar for a warm, spiced flavor.

Should you cook apples before putting them in a pie?

It depends on the texture you prefer! For a firmer apple pie filling, use raw apples—they will soften as they bake. For a smoother, caramelized filling, pre-cook the apples with sugar and spices before adding them to the pie crust. Either method works for a classic apple pie recipe, but pre-cooking helps prevent excess juice from making the crust soggy.

What are the ingredients of apple pie?

A traditional apple pie recipe includes fresh apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and a thickener like flour or cornstarch for the filling. The homemade pie crust is made with all-purpose flour, butter, salt, sugar (optional), and ice water to create a buttery, flaky texture.

What is the thickener in apple pie filling?

The most common thickeners for apple pie filling are flour, cornstarch, and tapioca starch. Cornstarch creates a smooth, glossy filling, flour results in a thicker, heartier texture, and tapioca starch gives a clear, gel-like consistency. Choose the thickener based on your preferred apple pie texture!

The Ultimate Apple Pie Recipe: 5 Secrets for a Flaky Crust & Perfect Filling

Description

This classic apple pie recipe features a flaky, buttery crust filled with sweet, spiced apples, making it a timeless family favorite. Perfect for fall baking, Thanksgiving, and holiday desserts, this homemade apple pie is easy to make and packed with rich, comforting flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

🥧 For the Pie Crust:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cubed
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
6–8 tablespoons ice water

🍏 For the Apple Pie Filling:

6–7 medium apples (Granny Smith + Honeycrisp)
¾ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or cornstarch for thickening)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon lemon juice (prevents browning)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons butter (for dotting on top)

🍯 For the Egg Wash:

1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon heavy cream or milk

🌟 Optional Toppings:

Lattice crust for a decorative top
Pecan crumble for added crunch
Salted caramel drizzle for extra sweetness

Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Pie Crust:

Mix flour, salt, and sugar in a bowl.
Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Gradually add ice water and mix until the dough comes together.
Divide into two discs, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 30 minutes.

2️⃣ Prepare the Apple Pie Filling:

Peel, core, and slice apples into ¼-inch slices.
Toss apples with sugar, flour (or cornstarch), cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and vanilla.
Let the filling sit for 15 minutes to release juices.

3️⃣ Assemble the Pie:

Roll out one dough disc and fit it into a 9-inch pie pan.
Fill with the spiced apple mixture, dotting with butter pieces.
Roll out the second dough disc for a solid or lattice crust.
Seal the edges and cut vent holes in the top crust.

4️⃣ Bake the Pie:

Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
Brush crust with egg wash for a golden finish.
Bake for 15 minutes at 425°F, then reduce heat to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 35-40 minutes.
If the crust browns too quickly, cover edges with foil or a pie shield.

5️⃣ Cool & Serve:

Let the pie cool for at least 2 hours before slicing.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Notes

Best Apples for Pie: Use Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Jonagold for the best texture and flavor.
Prevent a Soggy Crust: Pre-bake the bottom crust for 10 minutes at 375°F before adding the filling.
Make Ahead Tip: You can prepare the pie crust and apple filling a day in advance and refrigerate them separately.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (⅛ of the pie)
Calories: 390 kcal
Sugar: 28g
Sodium: 210mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 54g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 50mg

Keywords: Apple pie recipe, homemade apple pie, classic apple pie, best apple pie, flaky pie crust, Thanksgiving dessert, fall baking