Picture this: the aroma of freshly baked apple pie filling the room, the sound of the crust flaking as knife slices through it, and the warmth of a slice of pie melting in your mouth – this is the epitome of comfort food. Today, I’m going to share with y’all my favorite homemade apple pie recipe that will make you feel like you’re wrapped up in a cozy blanket.
Let’s start with the crust because, let’s be real, it’s the foundation of any good pie. For the crust, you’ll need 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of sugar, 1 cup (2 sticks) of unsalted butter, and 1/4 to 1/2 cup of ice-cold water. In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, and sugar. Cut in the butter until the mixture forms pea-sized crumbles. Drizzle in the ice-cold water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together. Split the dough into two disks and wrap them in plastic wrap. Let them chill in the fridge for at least an hour.
Next up is the filling. You’ll need 8 cups of peeled, cored, and sliced apples, 3/4 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 3 tablespoons of cornstarch, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. In a large bowl, stir the apples, sugar, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set it aside.
Time to preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). On a floured surface, roll out one of the disks of dough and place it in a 9-inch pie dish. Trim the excess and fill it with the apple mixture. Take the second disk of dough and roll it out. You can either place it on top of the filling and cut slits for ventilation, or use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and arrange them on top. Brush the top of the pie with a beaten egg and sprinkle some brown sugar over it.
Bake the pie in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Allow it to cool before serving.
Now, I know some of y’all are thinking, “This sounds like a lot of work.” But let me tell you, the end result is worth it. Plus, nothing beats the feeling of accomplishment when you take that first bite of your homemade apple pie. Trust me, your taste buds and your loved ones will thank you.
To sum it up, homemade apple pie is a classic dessert that everyone should learn to make at least once in their lifetime. With a flaky crust and sweet, cinnamon-spiced filling, it’s the perfect comfort food for any occasion. So go ahead and give it a try – you won’t be disappointed.
