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Apple Pie is a simple, classic and delicious pie recipe that’s always a perfect dessert! This apple pie recipe is a family favorite we’ve loved for generations. It’s made from scratch with my homemade pie crust, loaded with apples and is absolutely scrumptious!
Apple Pie is such a delicious classic! It’s one of those recipes that quietly comforts, in smell, taste and the knowledge of the humble hands before yours that have made the same recipe – even for the same holidays and celebrations.
I honestly have not tasted another Apple Pie as satisfying and scrumptious as this one. My family and I absolutely love it to say the least! The recipe is as simple, classic, and basic as any apple pie recipe can possibly be. Yet this recipe, as so many other special ones passed down to me, evokes so many emotions that it can never be considered anything other than glorious.
Apple Pie Recipe
With dustings of flour flying all over my kitchen as a young bride, my spirits soared as I mastered my first apple pie as a newlywed.
I felt pride in being able to serve it to my husband and my parents who were visiting for supper that evening as we finished our meal, even though I’d been on the phone with my Grandmother every step of the process with her talking me through all the way.
Years later as I poured the apples into the pie plate and then gently placed the second crust of my homemade pie crust atop all of the apples, I felt the warm flow of tears on my cheek.
It was the fall of the year my Grandmother passed away on Easter Sunday and the weightyness of her passing finally hit me.
Now as I make apple pie, my heart isn’t as heavy as that year following her passing. I realize the gift she gave me was much more than her pie recipe, she selflessly gave me love, and most importantly, the understanding that life passes quickly, but the legacy you leave behind is the lifetime of simple moments you share with those you love.
She truly made me feel like one of the most special people in her whole world and through her time and love, instilled in me the confidence and courage to try new things.
I remember telling her during that pie making phone call how I was so nervous that it wouldn’t turn out like hers. “What if it isn’t right, Grandmother?,” I’d asked her.
“Well honey, it’s just pie. You can always try again tomorrow.”
And my love of experimenting in the kitchen was born.
What are the Best Apples for Apple Pie?
While Grandmother only used one type of apple in her apple pie, through the years of experimenting, I found I loved to use a combination of apples. Baking apples for how soft they become, eating apples for their crispness and texture, and Granny Smith for their tartness. But, of course, you can experiment for the combination, or lack of combination, of apples that you prefer.
Baking apples
- Cortland
- Braeburn
- Rome
Eating Apples
- Honeycrisp
- Fuji
- Sweetango
Tart Apples
- Granny Smith
Here’s our Apple Pie Recipe. It is most certainly a keeper.
Apple Pie Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 (9-inch) pie crust recipe
- 2 baking apples Cortland, Braeburn, Rome, etc.
- 2 crisp eating apples Honeycrisp, SweeTango, Fuji, etc
- 1 Granny Smith apple
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple pie spice
- pinch Kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º F.
- Prepare 2 (9-inch) pie crust recipe. Place bottom crust into pie plate and freeze as directed. Roll second pie crust and set aside while preparing apple pie filling.
- Peel all apples and slice into 1/4-inch slices, being sure to remove any core. Toss apples into a large bowl with lemon juice and coat to prevent apples from turning color. Add brown sugar, granulated sugar, apple pie spice, salt, and cornstarch.
- Remove pie plate from freezer and pour apple mixture into the bottom crust. Top with second pie crust and turn bottom crust on top of edges of the top crust. Crimp or press closed. Cut slits into the top of the pie crust, place on top of a rimmed baking sheet to catch any drippings.
- Brush top of pie crust with milk and sprinkle with granulated sugar.
- Bake 45 – 50 minutes, until top crust has browned. Remove from oven and allow to cool at least 30 minutes before slicing.
- Store remaining pie tightly covered in the refrigerator.
Nutritional Information
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
From the Add a Pinch recipe archives, originally published 2013.
is the apple pie spice supposed to be 1 teaspoon instead of 1 tablespoon?
Hi Tammy,
I use 1 tablespoons of my apple pie spice in my apple pie, but if you prefer you can absolutely use less. I hope you enjoy it!
Excellent recipe! The pastry was perfect and easy to make. I ran out of shortening so used 1/2 cup butter for the top crust and it was excellent. I will definitely make this again.
I made this apple pie and the crust today for my family for tonight‘s dinner. It was perfect! The crust was very flaky and tender and flavorful. I sprinkle the top with white sugar after a light coating of milk. Are used Granny Smith apples. They were small so I used about twice as many apples. I didn’t have all spice so I added close to my pie spice mix. And I added more than a tablespoon. It was very flavorful and Delicious. I served it with French vanilla ice cream. Not only did it taste wonderful, it also looked as beautiful as the picture in your recipe. Thank you!
This makes me so happy to hear, Pam! I’ve loved this pie crust – and this apple pie – recipe for so many years and I’m thrilled to hear that you and your guests enjoyed it too! I know it was just beautiful when you served it! Thanks! xo
Pictures look great. I plan on making this Sunday
Looks Wonderful! You made me cry at the memories of your grandmother. You were so lucky to have her. Bless you..
Hope you enjoy the apple pie, Delores. I was so fortunate to have the time I spent with my grandmother. She was such a very special lady. I miss her every day.
This is my 9th time making this pie this summer for my fam. They LOVE it!
Wow! I’m so glad your family loves this pie so much, Anna. Thanks for letting me know. xo
Made it in a college dorm for Thanksgiving with friends! This recipe got me so many compliments and was so easy to put together! Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe!
That is awesome, Caroline! I’m so glad everyone loved it.
This apple pie with blue cheese on the side. There won’t be any remaining pie to put in the fridge.
It’s just the best pie recipe. I love all your recipes and I tried a few they’re easy to follow and foolproof.
This pie was the perfect combination of a delicious crust and a soft and gooey filling it looks beautiful too.
I’m so happy you are enjoying my recipes, Danna, and that you love the apple pie. It is one of my family’s favorites. Thank you. xo
I’m so happy you are enjoying my recipes, Danna, and that you love the apple pie. It is one of my family’s favorites. Thank you. xo
Made this today and this is the best apple pie I’ve ever had – from the flaky crust to the rich brown, delicately spiced filling, it was perfect! I thought three quarters cup of sugar might make the filling too sweet but no, the balance of tart and sweet was just right. I just added a teaspoon of lemon peel to the crust which I retained from my old apple pie crust recipe. Loved your potato soup too and now this too is going to be my go to pie recipe. I love the way your simple instructions produce such complex flavours. Stay blessed, Robyn.
Thank you, Sunanda. I am thrilled you like my recipes.
Oops, meant lemon zest not peel!