As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, nothing warms the soul like a slice of homemade apple pie. This easy recipe is a classic for a reason, and with this simple recipe, you too can create a pie that will have your family raving.
Let’s begin with the crust. You’ll need:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
3 tablespoons shortening, chilled
3-4 tablespoons ice water
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter and shortening into the flour mixture until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together.
Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a disk. Wrap in plastic and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
While the crust is chilling, let’s prepare the filling. You’ll need:
6 cups sliced and peeled apples (about 6 medium apples)
3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
In a saucepan, combine the sliced apples, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and the mixture is syrupy, about 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the butter until melted.
Now it’s time to roll out the crust. On a floured surface, roll out one of the chilled disks of dough into a circle about 12 inches in diameter. Roll the dough onto your rolling pin and transfer it to a 9-inch pie dish. Fill the pie with the apple mixture.
Roll out the second disk of dough and place it on top of the apple filling. Trim the excess dough and crimp the edges to seal. Cut a few slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
Now for the baking. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Bake the pie for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is hot and bubbly. Allow the pie to cool completely before serving.
And there you have it, an easy and delicious homemade apple pie that is sure to please. With a buttery, flaky crust and a sweet and spiced apple filling, this dessert is the perfect way to celebrate the season with family and friends.
If you want to kick it up a notch, try serving your apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Who could resist such a classic and comforting treat?
