How To Make An Apple Pie Recipe

Making a delicious apple pie demands the collection of some ingredients and tools. Each ingredient contributes to giving the best flavors while the tools help you complete the cooking process more easily and quickly. So, let's look at them and gather accordingly: 

Apples

They're the main component of an apple pie. Apples are sweet and hold a lot of good nutrients so turning them into a sweet dessert surely lets you have both the flavors and nutrients. 

Apples come in a lot of varieties and there could be confusion on which apple to use. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn are the ones that you can use for the pie. 

Using two types of apples for an apple pie is a good choice as they provide a balanced version of tart and sweet flavors. So use Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples for that. If you prefer the pie to be more of a tart, use granny smith apples only.

All-purpose Flour

This flour works to thicken the apple filling and it does this by absorbing the excess liquid which gets released during the baking process. 

That's not all, you'll mainly need this flour to make the crust for the apple pie as it gives a certain structure and creates a base for flaky pastry when mixed with fat and water. So, use fresh flour that is free from any lumps. 

Unsalted Butter

Butter is a moisturizing agent and has a fat content; these are the essential things for the crust to be soft and flaky. It also adds a rich and creamy flavor to the pie making it more delightful after baking.

We'll use unsalted butter because the salted one may make the pie a bit too salty but in case you're using the salted one, make sure to use less salt in the pie. Also, the melted butter is easier to blend with the flour but if you're using frozen butter, allow it to melt to room temperature. 

Salt

Salt is the ultimate flavor enhancer in any dish. This ingredient balances the overall sweetness of the pie as well.

Sugar

Sugar is used to make pie sweet reducing the level of tartness which apples bring. This sweet ingredient also makes the apples soft and draws out the moisture while baking in the oven.

It is good to use granulated sugar as the crystals are tiny and dissolve quickly with the apples. But if you have access to normal sugar only, then use it by grinding it a bit so that it melts easily while mixing. 

Cinnamon and Nutmeg

These two ingredients add a subtle hot kick and flavor. Cinnamon is known for its sweetness and a bit of spice, whereas nutmeg is more of a nutty and woody flavor. So, use powdered cinnamon and nutmeg in the pie for extra flavors. 

Lemon Juice

Lemon has acidic content which helps to prevent the apple slices from browning and also harmonizes the sweet and tart taste of the apple pie. 

Egg

Crack a large egg and beat it by mixing a tablespoon of water then use it to brush over the top part of the crust. This gives a golden and glossy look to the crust and also helps it to be slightly crunchy. 

Tools Needed

• Pie pan
• Rolling pin
• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring cup and spoon
• Knife
• Spatula
• Pastry brush
• Cooling rack
• Parchment paper
• Heat resistant gloves

The majority of the apple pie recipes are easy to make despite their fancy appearance. All it calls for is your time and some guidance on each step, trust us you will be able to make an apple pie on your own.

So, without any delay, let's go through each instruction and make an apple pie at home: 

Ingredient Measurements

• Apples: 8 large, peeled and sliced
• Sugar: 1/2 cup
• All-purpose Flour: 2 tablespoons
• Unsalted Butter: 1/2 cup
• Lemon Juice: 1 Tablespoon
• Cinnamon: 1 and 1/2 teaspoons, ground
• Nutmeg: 1/4 teaspoon, ground
• Egg: 1 large

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

The first thing to do is set the oven to heat until the internal temp reaches 425°F. This creates a heated atmosphere inside the oven and bakes the pie evenly and more quickly than the oven with no preheating. 

Step 2: Prepare the Pie Crust Dough

While the oven preheats, we'll make the best dough for the pie crust and it starts by gathering flour and salt in a mixing bowl. Whisk the ingredients using a spoon or whisker as this will divide the salt equally throughout the flour. 

Now, add the cold butter cubes to the flour and mix until you see coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter. Those pea-sized pieces create flaky layers in the crust when the pie is baking. You can use slightly melted butter for easy mixing. 

Add some chilled water to the flour and knead it thoroughly until it comes into a certain shape. But don't overmix, just soft enough to make a round-like crust with the rolling pin. Then, leave the dough to rest for an hour, you can put it in the refrigerator that way the gluten relaxes making the dough roll out easier.

Step 3: Slice the Apples

By the time the dough gets ready, we'll move towards the apples starting with cleaning them under the water. Peel off the skin using a vegetable peeler or use a normal sharp knife to do that.

Once all the peeling is done, put them on the cutting board and first cut them into half then slice with 1/4 inch thickness. Do the same thing with the rest apples and make sure to slice them uniformly.

Step 4: Make the Filling

We'll prepare the filling for the pie. Bring a large mixing bowl and proceed to add sliced apples, sugar, flour, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Adjust the spices based on the choice. 

Now mix everything together until the apple slices are coated fully with the ingredients. We'll leave this filling to sit for about 10-15 minutes at minimum as this helps to meld the flavors nicely and apples also release some juice which you can extract to prevent the sogginess in the pie. 

Step 5: Make the Pie Crust

The dough should be chilled enough by now so bring it to the counter. We'll start the crust pie so take a portion of the dough and lay it on a surface lightly covered with flour. Roll the dough using a rolling pin. 

Don't make the pie crust thick, around 1/8 inch of thickness is enough. Nicely roll out the crust in a circle 12 inches wide. Make two pie crusts, one for the bottom and another for the top. 

Step 6: Fill the Pie in the Pan

Once the pie crust is ready, lay that crust into the bottom of the pie pan which should be around 9 inches wide. Adjust the crust gently to the pan and bring up the edges of the crust to the sides of the pan. 

Now arrange the seasoned apple slices to the pan evenly. Slightly pile up the apples in the center as they shrink during baking.

There might be some thick liquid remaining in the bowl, so give a good stir and splash it over the filling. This helps enhance the flavors. 

Step 7: Add the Top Crust

We have one more crust left so carefully pick that up and place it on top of the apple filling. Cut off the excess crust and crimp the edges using a fork or your fingers in such a way that it works as a sealing for the pie. 

Alternatively, instead of simply placing the crust just like that, you can do some artistic work here. Simply, cut the crust into an inch thick wide stripes then weave them over the apples. 

Before baking it, brush the top section of the crust with egg wash. You can do it by dipping the brush into the egg wash and then applying it all over the crust. Give a good sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg powder over the crust for extra flavor.

Step 8: Bake the Pie

Now, we'll place the pie pan inside the preheated oven and allow it to bake for the first 15-20 minutes initially. Soon after that, reduce the temperature to 375°F and bake for another 35 to 45 minutes.

Step 9: Check for the Doneness

As the pie crust becomes golden, that's how you know the apple pie is ready. Besides these visual cues, target the center of the pie and insert a knife inside, it should go into easily with slight resistance.

You can also feel the firmness as the knife pierces the apple slices if they feel softer then the pie is baked nicely.

There's another way and that is to use a kitchen thermometer to check the internal temperature of the apple pie. What you do is hold the thermometer and push it to the center of the pie, if it reads 375°F then know your dessert is baked properly. 

Step 10: Cool and Serve

Turn off the oven, remove the pie pan, and place on the wire rack for 2-3 hours. This cooling time lets the apple slices thicken and doesn't get runny when sliced for serving. 

After the cooling time ends, cut the pie into slices and serve with ice cream.

A perfectly baked apple is possible if you know the right time to cook it. In its absence, you either end up undertaking or overbaking the pie, both situations lead to extra hassles and disappointments. So, here's a brief guide on baking hours of an apple pie: 

Internal Temperature

The oven's internal temp should reach 375°F for the pie to be baked properly, so keep a close eye on that. 

Time

An ideal baking time is about 45-60 minutes, this total time also breaks down into two parts: first half and second half.

The first half means baking the apple pie for 15-20 minutes at 400°F as this gives a nice golden crust.

The second half is baking the pie until it cooks internally and it goes for 35-40 minutes at 375°F or 190°C so you'll need to reduce the heat here. 

We usually make apple pie in excess since the cooking process requires a bit of effort and why not save some for later? That excess pie allows us to enjoy it anytime we feel like and all we need to do is get a scoop of ice cream and eat with the pie.

But how to make the pie last for days or even months? Here are three ways that you can follow to extend the life of the pie: 

Store at Room Temperature

This method keeps the apple pie edible for up to 2 days. 

• First, allow the pie to cool completely.
• Transfer the pie to a large bowl or a dish then wrap it up loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
• Leave the wrapped pie on the counter and avoid the places with direct sunlight and most heated ones. 
• This method is a good fit if your apple pie does not have any dairy content. 

Store in the Refrigerator

This is another method to store the apple pie with the help of a refrigerator and the pie lasts for up to 4-5 days.

• Cover the apple pie using the plastic wrap once it cools fully. This wrapping prevents any dryness that may happen inside the refrigerator. 
• Now place the apple pie in the coolest spot inside the fridge.
• Avoid placing it near the fridge's door because the temperature around there fluctuates more due to frequent opening and closing of the door. This may cause contamination leading to spoilage of the pie. 
• Make sure that you maintain the internal temperature at 37°F or lower.

Store in the Freezer

Freezing the apple pie is the ultimate solution you need if looking for a way to last apple pie for up to 3 months.

• Wrap the pie tightly using the plastic wrap then place it in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. 
• Place the covered pie in the freezer and set the internal temperature at 0°F or lower because this much coolness is needed to keep the pie fresh for months. 
• To use the frozen apple pie, take it out from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator overnight then reheat in the oven or microwave for serving. 

Note: Follow the same storing process if you have leftover apple pie filling and use airtight containers instead of plastic wrap for all methods. This way it increases the shelf life of the pie filling and also allows you to use it next time when you make an apple pie. 

Apple pie goes well with a lot of side options that make it more flavorful and enjoyable. Apple pie tastes delicious itself but serving with sides surely has some magic. So, here are some ideas for you to try with the apple pie: 

• Ice Cream: Ice cream tops the list when it comes to pairing with an apple pie as this chilled and cold ice cream contrasts with the warm pie. Scoop out your favorite ice cream and top it over the pie then enjoy the blend of warm and cold all at once. This pairing is ideal for a refreshing vibe. 
• Hot Beverage: Have leftover apple pie in the fridge? Then make a cup of hot drink, it could be any like coffee, tea or something that you like to enjoy with the sweet dessert. But make the beverage sugar-free or with less sugar because the pie is already sweet so it will balance the overall taste. 
• Whipped Cream: Most of us have whipped cream at home. Even if you don't, get one from the store and utilize the stored apple pie in the freezer. There's nothing much to do, just cut a piece of apple pie and layer the top with whipped cream then have a taste of sweet and smooth dessert. 
• Butter: If you want the apple pie to taste buttery and creamy then you should be using butter for that. The apple pie is sweet so it is better to use salted butter that will create harmony among the flavors. Take a spoon of butter or a cube and spread it over a piece of apple pie then enjoy this with your desired drink. 
• Caramel Sauce: Slightly drizzle the warm caramel sauce over the pie crust or you can dip the pie into this sauce and enjoy a heavenly blast of sweet flavor. Simmer a cup of caramel sauce as it only takes 10 minutes and a few ingredients then serve with any pie, not just the apple pie.
• Crunchy Add-ons: Assemble some dried fruits like cashews, nuts, almonds, and walnuts then sprinkle them over the pie crust by cutting them into fine pieces. It lets you enjoy the slight crunchiness along with the smooth and soft texture of the pie. 
• Cheese: How can we forget the cheese? This creamy and cheesy ingredient is what we need for the pie to taste more delicious. Use the melted cheese over the crust and enjoy it! The combination of cheesy and sweet flavors is enough to elevate our mood to the happiest level. 
• Custard: This creamy and smooth textured item is made from milk, eggs, sugar, and flavoring of vanilla. Pour some custard over the piece of apple pie and get a blissful cozy and satisfying experience.