Nothing quite captures the spirit of home and nostalgia like a Delicious Homemade Apple Pie, fresh from the oven and brimming with tender apples and a flaky, buttery crust. This classic American dessert is as inviting as it is irresistible, combining tart, juicy apples with warm spices and just the right touch of sweetness. Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering or simply indulging in a sweet afternoon treat, this pie delivers comfort and joy in every slice. Get ready to fill your kitchen with the cozy aroma of cinnamon and apples and create a new favorite with your loved ones!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Delicious Homemade Apple Pie lies in its simplicity: each ingredient, though humble, brings essential flavor or texture to the table. From the crisp apples to the rich, golden crust, every component is carefully chosen to ensure a truly outstanding result.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of the crust; make sure to measure accurately for the best flaky texture.
- Salt: Just a teaspoon enhances the flavor of the crust and balances the sweetness.
- Cold unsalted butter: Cold, cubed butter creates the light, airy layers that make pie crust irresistible.
- Ice water: Keeps the dough chilly, helping your crust stay flaky rather than tough.
- Apples (such as Granny Smith and Honeycrisp): A blend brings the perfect balance of tartness, sweetness, and texture — peel and slice them thin for even baking.
- Granulated sugar: Classic sweetener for the filling, bringing out the apples’ natural juices.
- Light brown sugar: Adds a subtle molasses depth and softness to the filling.
- All-purpose flour (for filling): Thickens the filling so each slice holds together beautifully.
- Ground cinnamon: Warm spice that is essential for that comforting apple pie flavor.
- Ground nutmeg: A quarter teaspoon lifts the pie with a gentle, nutty aroma.
- Lemon juice: Brightens the filling and prevents the apples from browning.
- Unsalted butter (for filling): Dotting the filling with butter adds lusciousness and richness.
- Egg (for egg wash): Beaten egg brushed on the crust gives a glorious golden sheen.
- Coarse sugar (optional): A sprinkle before baking adds sparkle and delightful crunch to the top.
How to Make Delicious Homemade Apple Pie
Step 1: Prepare the Flaky Pie Crust
Start by whisking together your flour and salt in a large bowl. Then, work in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry cutter or fork, mixing until the pieces of butter are about pea-sized and the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Slowly add ice water, just a tablespoon at a time, and gently mix until the dough comes together. Divide the dough into two discs, wrap each in plastic wrap, and chill for at least one hour — this rest time is the secret to that lovely, tender crust.
Step 2: Make the Spiced Apple Filling
While your dough chills, toss the thinly sliced apples with both sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and fresh lemon juice in a large bowl. Stir until everything is evenly coated and the apples look glossy. This step is where all those classic apple pie aromas come alive, hinting at the deliciousness to come.
Step 3: Assemble the Pie
Roll out one chilled disc of dough on a lightly floured surface and carefully fit it into a 9-inch pie dish, patching any cracks as you go. Fill the crust with your luscious spiced apples and dot the top with little bits of butter to add extra richness as it bakes. The butter melts right into the filling, making every bite just that much more heavenly.
Step 4: Add the Top Crust and Finish
Roll out your second disc of dough and lay it gently over the apple filling. Trim any overhang, seal the edges by crimping decoratively, and cut a few small slits in the top to let steam escape. Brush the crust with beaten egg for shine and, if you like, sprinkle with coarse sugar for a crunchy, sparkling finish — you’re so close to pie bliss now!
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the pie on the center rack and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the crust is deep golden brown and the filling bubbles up in the slits you cut. If the edges start to brown too quickly, just cover them with foil. Let the pie cool for at least two hours; this is important, as it lets the filling set for beautiful, clean slices every time.
How to Serve Delicious Homemade Apple Pie
Garnishes
Sometimes, the simplest things make the biggest impression — top your Delicious Homemade Apple Pie with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or a generous dollop of whipped cream. A dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of caramel sauce can make each slice even more special.
Side Dishes
Pairing your slice of pie with a hot cup of coffee or spiced cider brings out all the cozy flavors. If you want to keep things light, a fresh fruit salad or some sweet berries alongside your pie is delightful and refreshing.
Creative Ways to Present
Show off your Delicious Homemade Apple Pie at gatherings by cutting it into rustic wedges and stacking them on a wooden board, or serve minis in mason jars for an adorable twist. For festive occasions, try using pie crust cutters or simple leaf-shaped cutouts to decorate the top — guests always love a little extra flair!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Delicious Homemade Apple Pie can be covered and stored at room temperature for up to two days, but if you’d like it to last longer, simply pop it into the fridge. This keeps the flavors fresh and the crust just right for up to four days.
Freezing
You can freeze a fully baked or unbaked pie for those times when only homemade will do! To freeze, wrap the cooled pie or unbaked pie tightly in several layers of plastic wrap and foil. It will keep beautifully for up to three months — just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating or baking.
Reheating
To enjoy your pie warm, place slices or the whole pie on a baking sheet and pop it into a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through (about 15 minutes for slices or 25 minutes for a whole pie). This method brings that just-baked taste and aroma back to life!
FAQs
Can I use other types of apples?
Absolutely! While Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are traditional for their tartness and texture, mixing in varieties like Braeburn, Fuji, or Golden Delicious can add more complexity to your Delicious Homemade Apple Pie.
Do I have to peel the apples?
Peeling the apples is recommended for the classic smooth filling, but if you prefer a more rustic pie with a little extra texture and color, go ahead and leave the peels on.
How do I keep the bottom crust from getting soggy?
Baking the pie on the lower rack and making sure your filling isn’t too wet will help. You can also sprinkle a thin layer of ground nuts or breadcrumbs on the bottom crust before adding the apples to provide a bit of a moisture barrier.
What’s the best way to slice the pie neatly?
Letting your Delicious Homemade Apple Pie cool for a full two hours is key — this allows the filling to firm up for clean, even slices. Use a sharp, serrated knife for best results.
Can I make the pie dough ahead of time?
Yes! Pie dough can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to three days or frozen for up to three months. Just thaw it in the refrigerator before rolling it out for freshly baked pie any time.
Final Thoughts
There’s a special kind of magic in baking and sharing a Delicious Homemade Apple Pie, a treat that wins hearts with its timeless flavors and rustic charm. If you haven’t tried making your own from scratch yet, now is the perfect time — give it a go, and watch how quickly every last crumb disappears!
Print
Delicious Homemade Apple Pie Recipe
- Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the comforting aroma of a freshly baked homemade apple pie with this easy-to-follow recipe. Perfect for any occasion, this classic dessert will win over hearts with its buttery crust and flavorful apple filling.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 6–8 tablespoons ice water
Filling:
- 6 cups peeled and thinly sliced apples (such as Granny Smith and Honeycrisp)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Additional:
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon coarse sugar (optional, for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Cut in cold cubed butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, until dough comes together. Divide, shape into discs, wrap, and chill.
- Filling: Preheat oven. Combine apples, sugars, flour, spices, and lemon juice. Roll out dough, fit into pie dish, add filling, dot with butter, cover with second dough, crimp edges, cut slits, brush with egg, sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake until golden and bubbling. Cool before slicing.
Notes
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
- Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
