Description
This Classic American Apple Pie features a buttery, flaky double crust filled with a spiced mixture of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples. Sweetened with brown and granulated sugar and enhanced with cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and zest, this pie is baked to golden perfection and perfect for traditional dessert occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Pie Crust
- 2 discs pie crust (for top and bottom)
- Flour (for dough preparation, quantity to make dough)
- Salt (pinch, for dough)
- Butter (for dough, quantity to make dough)
- Ice water (for dough)
Filling
- 4 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
- 2 Honeycrisp apples, peeled and sliced
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons butter, cubed
Topping
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 tablespoon coarse sugar (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare Pie Dough: Combine flour, salt, butter, and ice water to form a smooth dough. Divide the dough into two discs, wrap them in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour to firm up.
- Preheat Oven and Roll Dough: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Roll out one disc of dough and line your pie dish with it. Keep the second disc chilled until ready to use for the top crust.
- Mix Filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples with brown sugar, granulated sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch. Let the filling rest to meld the flavors while you prepare the top crust.
- Assemble Pie: Pour the apple filling into the prepared pie crust and dot the filling with cubed butter. Roll out the second dough disc to create either a lattice or a full top crust. Seal or crimp the edges securely to enclose the filling.
- Apply Egg Wash and Sugar: Beat the egg with milk to make an egg wash. Brush this over the top crust to give it a golden color when baked. Sprinkle coarse sugar on top if you desire a sweet, crunchy topping.
- Bake the Pie: Place the pie in the oven and bake at 400°F for 20 minutes. Then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F and continue baking for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the pie to cool for at least 3 hours to let the filling set properly. Serve slices with ice cream or whipped cream for a classic American dessert experience.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential for a flaky crust and easier handling.
- Use a mix of tart Granny Smith and sweet Honeycrisp apples for balanced flavor and texture.
- Letting the pie cool thoroughly prevents the filling from spilling when sliced.
- Optional coarse sugar topping adds a nice crunch and sparkle.
- Lemon juice and zest enhance the apples’ flavor and keep them from browning.
