Apple Pie Recipe 3 Genius Tips You’ll Love

Key Takeaways

• Top Apple Picks: Go with Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix of both
• Crust Tips: Cold butter, don’t overmix, chill dough
• Filling Tips: Don’t skip lemon juice, it stops browning
• Do You Cook Apples First? No, raw apples bake just fine
• Apple Pie Types: Traditional and Dutch (with crumb topping)
• Storage: Fridge for 4 days, freeze up to 3 months
• Extra Treats: Apple Crumble and Applesauce included!

Why Everyone Loves a Classic Apple Pie

There’s something special about baking an apple pie. The smell, the warmth, the sweet taste—it’s a comfort food that makes people happy. You don’t need to be a chef to make one. This guide will walk you through a simple apple pie recipe that anyone can follow.

What You’ll Learn Today

• How do you bake a homemade apple pie from the beginning?
• What kind of apples to use
• How to make crust that’s flaky and tasty
• Easy tips from a pie expert (me!)
• A bonus apple crumble and applesauce recipe

Apple Pie Recipe Ingredients

You don’t need fancy ingredients. Just simple things from your kitchen.

For the crust:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• Use 1 cup of cold, unsalted butter cut into small chunks
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons ice water

For the filling:

• 6 cups peeled and sliced apples (Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are great)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Best Apples to Use for Apple Pie

Not all apples are good for baking. Some get too mushy. Some stay too hard. Here are the best ones:

Apple Type	Texture	Taste
Granny Smith	Firm	Tart
Honeycrisp	Crisp	Sweet-Tart
Braeburn	Firm	Spicy-Sweet
Jonagold	Soft	Sweet
Fuji	Very Soft	Very Sweet

Expert Tip: I like to mix Granny Smith and Honeycrisp. One is tart. One is sweet. Together, they balance perfectly.

Simple Apple Pie Recipe With Fresh Apples

Step 1: Make the crust

1. Mix flour and salt in a big bowl.
2. Add cold butter. Use fingers or a fork to mix until crumbly.
3. Add ice water slowly. Mix until dough forms.
4. Split dough in half. Shape into 2 flat discs.
5. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.

Step 2: Make the filling

1. Toss the sliced apples with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, flour, and lemon juice in a large mixing bowl
2. Stir gently to coat apples.

Step 3: Roll out the crust

1. Sprinkle flour on a clean surface.
2. Roll one dough disc into a circle.
3. Place it in a 9-inch pie pan.

Step 4: Fill and cover

1. Pour the apple mix into the crust.
2. Roll the second piece of dough and gently lay it over the pie
3. Pinch edges together. Cut small slits on top.

Step 5: Bake

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Bake for 50-60 minutes until crust is golden.

What Makes Apple Pie Better?

A few tricks can make a good pie great:

• Use cold butter. It makes the crust flaky.
• Don’t overmix dough. Too much mixing makes crust tough.
• Add lemon juice. It keeps apples from turning brown and boosts flavor.
• Chill dough before rolling. Warm dough sticks and tears.
• Don’t skip the egg wash. Brushing the top crust with a mix of 1 egg and 1 tsp of water makes it golden and shiny.
• Use the right apples. Some apples turn mushy. Pick ones that hold shape like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
• Bake on the lower oven rack. It helps crisp the bottom crust.
• Let it cool. Don’t slice it too soon. Give it time to set so the juices stay inside.

Expert Tip: Try sprinkling a little sugar and cinnamon on top of the crust before baking. This gives the crust a delightful crisp and a touch of sweetness that’s simply irresistible

Dutch Apple Pie Recipe Variation

Crumb topping:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/4 cup butter (softened)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix all topping ingredients until crumbly. Sprinkle over the apple filling instead of a top crust. Bake the same way.

Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Apple Pie Recipe

My grandma made this every fall. Her secret? More cinnamon and a buttery crust.

• Use all-butter crust
• Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon instead of 1/2
• Lightly dust the top crust with sugar before placing it in the oven

It tastes like hugs from your childhood.

Should You Cook Apples Before Putting in Pie?

Nope, not always. Raw apples bake just fine.

Why some people cook them first:

• You control how soft they get
• Less shrinking during baking

Why I skip it:

• It saves time
• It still tastes amazing

Apple Pie Storage and Reheating Tips

Storage Method	How Long	Tip
Room Temp	2 Days	Cover with foil
Fridge	4 Days	Keep in airtight container
Freezer	3 Months	Wrap in plastic + foil

Reheating Tip: Warm slices at 300°F (150°C) for 10-15 minutes.

Easy Apple Crumble & Homemade Applesauce

Quick Apple Crumble

• Use any leftover filling
• Put in small dish
• Add crumb topping
• Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25 minutes

Homemade Applesauce

• Peel and chop 4 apples
• Add to pot with 1/2 cup water + 1 tsp cinnamon
• Simmer 15 minutes
• Mash with fork or blend

FAQs About Apple Pie Recipe

What are the ingredients of apple pie?

Basic ingredients include apples, sugar, cinnamon, flour, lemon juice, butter, and a crust made with flour and butter.

What is the apple pie rule?

It’s a term from math! But in baking, it’s just about keeping things simple and sweet.

What are the 2 types of apple pie?

Classic pies have a full top crust; Dutch pies use a crunchy crumb topping.

What makes apple pie better?

Cold butter in crust, fresh apples, lemon juice, and not overmixing dough.

How can you ensure the bottom crust of your apple pie stays crisp?

Use a metal pie pan, bake on the lower rack, and brush the bottom crust with egg white before filling.

How can you tell that an apple pie is fully cooked?

The crust should be golden brown and you should see bubbling juices through the slits on top.

Try It Today!

Now you know how to make an apple pie from scratch! It’s easier than it looks and so rewarding. Make one for your next family dinner or just because. Don’t forget to enjoy a warm slice with some vanilla ice cream!