How to Make the Perfect Apple Pie

It’s just about fall time, which means, the apples are ready to be picked. They are sweet with still a bit of tartness, which is the perfect combo for making the perfect apple pie. This pie is made with a flaky, buttery, pie crust, and is guaranteed to be a favorite.

How to Make the Best Pie Crust from Scratch

This recipe can certainly be made with a store bought pie crust, however, it just isn’t the same. This pie crust has the perfect richness from the butter, and flakes with every bite. There are a few tips to making the perfect crust.

-Keeping the butter cold. I keep the butter in the fridge until I am ready for it. This way, the butter will stay in solid chunks and will work better with the dough while baking.

-Ice Water. Ice water is an absolute MUST. When you mix the butter and flour mixture, this starts to warm the butter slightly. Adding the ice water will cool the butter back down, making sure it stays in the solid chunks.

-Don’t Over Mix. Be careful not to overmix the dough mixture. This will cause the dough to become tough.

-Have Remaining Ingredients Ready. Before I start the pie crust, I have the filling ready. To get the pie in the oven right away, it’s important to get the pie dough rolled out and placed in the pie dish.

How to Make the Apple Pie Filling

When I make an apple pie, I like to use apples that are sweet, but also have a little bit of tartness. With the added sugar, the tart flavor balances the sweetness. Granny smith apples are a great apple to use, but any type will work.

The first step to making the pie filling is to prepare your apples. Peel each apple, and but them in bite sized pieces. To make the pie a little more filling, I use 7 cups of apples for this recipe.

Once all of your apples are prepared, put them in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, and cinnamon. Wisk until blended.

Now, add that mixture to the apples in the large bowl, and stir until combined. The juices of the apples will continue to mix with the cinnamon sugar mixture, making the most delicious apple pie filling.

How to Make the Perfect Pie Crust

When I make this pie crust recipe, I prefer to use a food processor, but I have also mixed everything by hand, and each method works the same. This recipe will make a bottom and top crust. To start, add the flour and salt to your food processor. Next, take our your butter, and cut into small pieces. This will ensure all of the ingredients mix well together.

Add the butter to your food processor. To ensure you do not over mix, pulse your mixture slowly. I do this by pressing the pulse button, but only so the blade goes around a few times. If you are not using a food processor, a fork, and pastry cutter would work the same.

Once the butter is chopped a bit, add your ice water. Pulse again, as you did with the flour and butter mixture. The mixture will start to form with the butter, creating a large ball of dough. If you are doing this step without a food processor, a fork or pastry cutter would work the same.

How to Roll out Pie Dough

Before I do anything with the pie crust mixture, I take out my pastry board, and make sure it has plenty of flour on it. If you do not have a pastry board, a well floured counter would work the same.

Since this recipe is the top and bottom crust, I cut the pie mixture in half. Place the other mixture in the fridge to keep cool.

For the bottom crust, start by rolling your dough into a ball. This will help keep your crust in even circle as you roll it out. Starting slowly, start to push down on the dough with your rolling pin, turning the pastry board as you roll. The idea is to have an even circle, so when the dough is placed in the pie dish, it is even.

Once the dough is rolled out, place in the pie dish If you are struggling to pick up the dough all at once, place your rolling pin at the top of your dough, and start to roll back towards you, rolling the dough onto the pin as you go. This is a helpful method which will allow you to pick up your dough at once, and transfer it to your pie dish.

With a fork, poke some holes in your dough. This will allow steam to escape, so your crust can lay flat while baking. The next step is my favorite part. Adding the apple pie mixture. By now, the juices of the apples have mixed with the cinnamon sugar, making for the best apple pie filling. Top the filling with butter to add a little extra richness. Plus, who doesn’t like butter?

Once the apple filling is placed in the pie dish, it’s time to make the top pie dough. Follow the same steps as the bottom crust, and place on top of the pie filling. Crimp the edges of the crust together, using your fingers or a fork. Next, using a knife, cut a few slits on the top dough. This will allow steam to escape while the pie is baking. Last, sprinkle a little sugar on top. This gives the pie crust a little extra sweetness!

Baking the Apple Pie

Place the pie on a sheet pan, as some juice usually comes out while baking. Place in a preheated oven of 375 degrees, and bake until the apples are tender. You can test the apples by placing a toothpick in them. The baking process usually takes about an hour and fifteen minutes. Once fully bakes, take out of the oven, and let cool slightly before eating.

The Perfect Apple Pie

Print Recipe

Prep Time:30 minutes mins

Cook Time:1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Ingredients

Apple Filling

• 7 C Apples
• 1.5 C Sugar
• 2.5 tsp Cinnamon
• 1 tbsp Flour
• 1 tsp Flour
• 1 tbsp Cold Butter

Pie Crust

• 250g Flour
• 6g Salt
• 1/2 C Ice Water
• 2 tbsp Ice Water
• 16 tbls cold butter

Instructions

• Before starting your pie, put a cup of cold water in the freezer, allowing it to become extra cold.
• Preheat the oven to 375°.

Apple Pie Filling

• Peel the apples, and then slice into bite sized pieces, about 1 inch
• Place the apples in a large bowl
• In a small bowl, mix together the sugar, cinnamon and flour. Combine until mixed.
• Pour the cinnamon sugar mixture over the apples, and stir until the apples are coated, and all the cinnamon sugar mixture is used.
• Set aside and let the apple juices and cinnamon sugar mixture combine, while the pie crust is made.

Pie Crust

• In a food processor, or a large bowl, add the flour and salt, and mix to combine.
• Take the butter out of the fridge, and cut into small pieces. Add into the food processor, or bowl.
• If you are using a food processor, pulse the flour and butter together, but enough to get it started. Do not over mix. If you are using a pastry cutter or fork, work the butter into the flour, until crumbled a bit, and the butter is all covered with flour.
• Add the ice water, and combine the ingredients. Do not over mix. The ingredients should start to form together.
• Once the flour and butter mixture is combined, form it into a ball, and then cut in half. Place the other half in the fridge to stay cool.
• Using a flour surface, place your dough on the flour, and start to roll out, forming an even circle.
• Place the rolled dough into the pie dish.
• Using a fork, poke holes in the dough, which will allow the steam to escape while baking.
• Add the apple pie filling, and top with butter.
• Follow the same directions to complete the other half of the dough.
• Place on top of the filling, and crimp the edges together.
• Make a few cuts into the top of the pie, so steam can escape while baking.
• Sprinkle the top of the pie with sugar.
• Place on a sheet pan, and bake
• Bake, uncovered, until the apples are tender. Let rest for about 20 minutes so the juices start to thicken.

Servings: 8