Savor the Season: Crafting the Perfect Homemade Apple Pie

As autumn leaves begin to fall, there's no better way to celebrate the season than by baking a homemade apple pie.

 

This timeless dessert captures the essence of fall, combining the tartness of fresh apples with a sweet, spiced filling encased in a flaky crust.

 

Here's a step-by-step guide to creating your own delectable pie.

 

Ingredients

 

For the crust:

 

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

 

• 1 teaspoon salt

 

• 1 tablespoon sugar

 

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cubed

 

• 6–8 tablespoons ice water

 

For the filling:

 

• 6–7 medium apples (a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp works well), peeled, cored, and sliced

 

• ¾ cup granulated sugar

 

• ¼ cup brown sugar

 

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

 

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

 

• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

 

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

 

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

 

For the topping:

 

• 1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)

 

• 1 tablespoon sugar (for sprinkling on crust)

 

Instructions

 

Prepare the crust:

 

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar.

 

2. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

 

3. Add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough holds together.

 

4. Divide the dough in half, shape into disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

 

Prepare the filling:

 

1. In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice, sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract. Set aside.

 

Assemble the pie:

 

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).

 

2. Roll out one dough disk and fit it into a 9-inch pie dish.

 

3. Pour in the apple filling, spreading evenly. Dot with butter cubes.

 

4. Roll out the second dough disk and place it over the filling. Seal and crimp the edges.

 

Bake the pie:

 

1. Brush the top crust with the beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar.

 

2. Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 375°F (190°C) and bake for an additional 40–45 minutes, until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling.

 

3. If the edges brown too quickly, cover them with foil strips.

 

Cool and serve:

 

1. Allow the pie to cool for at least 2 hours before slicing to let the filling set.

 

2. Serve warm, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

 

For those looking to source the freshest apples, consider visiting local orchards or farmers' markets.

 

Many communities host apple festivals during the fall, offering a variety of apple varieties perfect for baking.

 

Enjoy the process of baking and the delightful flavors of your homemade apple pie!