This delicious dessert combines warm baked fruit in a flaky crust, creating a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and buttery notes enhance the rich apple filling. Treat your taste buds to a classic comfort dish that’s guaranteed to satisfy your craving for a homestyle dessert.

There are few desserts as quintessentially American as a freshly baked, warm apple pie. The sweet and tangy filling of sliced apples, perfectly spiced and nestled within a flaky, buttery pastry crust, is a treat that has been enjoyed for generations.

The history of this beloved dessert traces back to Europe, where early versions of fruit-filled pies were common. However, it was not until the apple tree was brought to North America by European settlers that the iconic apple pie we know today began to take shape.

The simple yet delicious combination of apples, sugar, cinnamon, and a touch of lemon juice encapsulated in a golden pastry crust soon became a staple in American kitchens. Apple pie quickly became associated with holidays, family gatherings, and even patriotism, with the phrase “as American as apple pie” entering the lexicon.

Despite its seemingly simple ingredients, mastering the art of baking the perfect apple pie can be a challenge.

Achieving the right balance of sweetness and acidity in the filling, creating a flaky and tender crust, and knowing when to stop baking to avoid a soggy bottom are all skills that require practice and attention to detail.

But the effort is well worth it when you take that first bite of a freshly baked apple pie, the warm filling oozing out and the aroma of cinnamon and apples filling the room.

Whether enjoyed on its own, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or paired with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese, apple pie is a timeless classic that continues to bring comfort and joy to those who indulge in its deliciousness.

Expert Tip: Use a mix of apple varieties for a more complex flavor in your filling. Mixing sweet and tart varieties can balance the overall taste.

Ingredients

Plain Flour: Plain flour, also known as all-purpose flour, is a versatile ingredient used in baking. It serves as the base for the pastry crust in this apple pie recipe, providing structure and stability to the dessert.

Butter: Butter adds richness and flavor to the pastry crust of the apple pie. It also helps create a tender and flaky texture in the crust when combined with the flour and chilled before baking.

Caster Sugar: Caster sugar, also known as superfine sugar, is used to sweeten both the pastry crust and the apple filling in this recipe. Its fine texture allows it to dissolve easily, ensuring a smooth consistency in the pie.

Egg: The egg serves as a binding agent for the pastry crust and also helps to provide structure and color to the finished product. It adds richness to the crust and helps hold it together during baking.

Apples: Fresh apples are the star ingredient in this apple pie recipe, providing a sweet and juicy filling for the dessert. Choose your favorite variety of apple, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, for the best flavor and texture.

Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a warm and aromatic spice that pairs perfectly with apples in this pie recipe. It adds a cozy and comforting flavor to the dessert, enhancing the sweetness of the fruit filling.

Nutmeg: Nutmeg is a warm and slightly spicy spice that complements the flavor of the apples in this pie. It adds depth and complexity to the dessert, creating a well-rounded and flavorful filling.

Butter: Butter is also used in the apple filling to add richness and a velvety texture to the finished pie. It helps create a luscious and decadent filling that pairs perfectly with the flaky pastry crust.

Expert Tip: Ensure your butter is cold when making the pastry dough. This helps create a flakier crust.

Serving Suggestions

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve warm slices of apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic and comforting dessert.
• Drizzle caramel sauce or salted caramel sauce over each slice for a decadent twist on the traditional apple pie.
• Add a dollop of whipped cream on top of each slice for some extra creaminess.
• Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top of the pie before serving for a hint of extra sweetness and spice.
• Pair slices of apple pie with a hot cup of coffee or tea for a cozy after-dinner treat.

Variations:

• Try using a mix of different types of apples, such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Fuji, for a more complex flavor profile.
• Add a handful of raisins or dried cranberries to the apple filling for some extra texture and sweetness.
• Swap out the traditional pie crust for a crumb topping made from oats, flour, butter, and brown sugar for a crunchy twist.
• Experiment with different spices in the filling, such as allspice, ginger, or cardamom, to create a unique flavor profile.
• Add a splash of bourbon or rum to the apple filling for a boozy kick.

Expert Tip: Allow the pie to cool slightly before slicing to ensure the filling sets properly, making it easier to slice and serve without it falling apart.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I keep my apple pie from getting too runny?

To prevent your apple pie from becoming too runny, try using a combination of different types of apples that are suitable for baking. You can also sprinkle a bit of flour or cornstarch over the apples before adding them to the pie crust to help soak up any excess liquid.

Can I make apple pie ahead of time and freeze it?

Yes, apple pie can be made ahead of time and frozen for later use. Simply wrap the pie in foil or plastic wrap and place it in the freezer until you are ready to bake it. When you are ready to bake, simply place the frozen pie in the oven and bake according to the original instructions, adding a few extra minutes if needed.

What are some fun variations of traditional apple pie?

There are many fun variations of traditional apple pie that you can try, such as adding caramel sauce, streusel topping, or even cheddar cheese to the crust. You can also experiment with different spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom, to give your apple pie a unique flavor twist.

Can I use store-bought pie crust for my apple pie?

Yes, you can definitely use store-bought pie crust for your apple pie if you are short on time or prefer the convenience. Simply follow the instructions on the packaging for baking the pie crust, and then add your apple filling as usual. It may not have the same homemade taste, but it will still be delicious.

Check Out These Other Recipes

Here are some more recipes for you to enjoy! If you my recipes don’t forget to rate and leave a comment.

• Apple Cinnamon Rolls
• Cherry Pie
• Strawberry Cheesecake Pie
• Cherry Cobbler
• Pumpkin Pie

If you have any recipe suggestions, please do not hesitate to ask me. A great way to stay in contact with me is through Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Don’t forget to tag me @CookwithNabeela in your recipe photos!

Apple Pie

by Nabeela Kauser

Juicy, delicious, and mouth-watering, a traditional apple pie recipe made with homemade shortcrust pastry. A hearty family pudding with a flaky, buttery shortcrust pastry and a cinnamon spiced apple filling.

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course Baking, Dessert

Cuisine British

Servings 8

Calories 510 kcal

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• ▢ 350 g Plain Flour
• ▢ 225 g Butter Unsalted, cold and cut into small pieces
• ▢ 2 tbsp Caster Sugar
• ▢ 1 Egg Beaten
• ▢ 1 kg Apples Peeled, cored, and chopped
• ▢ 100 g Caster Sugar
• ▢ 1 tsp Cinnamon
• ▢ 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
• ▢ 1 tbsp Plain Flour
• ▢ 1 tbsp Butter Unsalted, softened

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan)/gas mark 6.
• In a large bowl, mix together the plain flour, 2 tablespoons of caster sugar, and a pinch of salt.
• Add the cold butter pieces and use your fingertips to rub them into the flour mixture until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs.
• Add the beaten egg to the mixture and mix until the dough comes together. Divide the dough into two portions, one slightly larger than the other.
• Roll out the larger portion of the dough on a floured surface to fit a 23cm pie dish. Gently press the dough into the bottom of the dish and up the sides.
• In another large bowl, combine the chopped apples, 100g of caster sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and plain flour. Mix well.
• Pour the apple mixture into the pie dish and dot it with softened butter.
• Roll out the smaller portion of the dough on a floured surface to form the top of the pie. Lay it over the top of the apple filling and trim the edges to fit the dish.
• Use a fork to press the edges of the dough together to seal the pie.
• Cut a few slits in the top of the pie to allow steam to escape.
• If you wish to make a lattice pattern, slice your pastry into strips approximately 1.5 cm wide (about ½ inch) and arrange them in layers on top of your pie. Remove any extra pastry that extends beyond the pie edges.
• Bake the apple pie in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
• After baking, let the pie cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. You can serve the apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, if you like.

Notes

Nutritional facts:

The provision of nutritional information is done so merely as a courtesy and should not be taken as a guarantee.

Nutrition

Calories: 510kcalCarbohydrates: 67gProtein: 6gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 13mgPotassium: 198mgFibre: 4gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 845IUVitamin C: 6mgVitamin D: 1µgCalcium: 27mgIron: 2mg

Keyword Dessert, Fruit, Pastry, Pie, Summer

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