Homemade Apple Pie

This is hands-down the best Homemade Apple Pie recipe, ever! It’s brimming with rich and buttery caramelized apple pie filling tucked beneath a perfect lattice top. I use my favorite flaky pie crust for this cozy and classic, fail-proof fall dessert!

Easy Homemade Apple Pie

Apple pie is pretty iconic. It’s a classic, all-American, favorite fall dessert. There’s Dutch Apple Pie and even Apple Pie Bars, but everyone needs a trusty, traditional apple pie recipe. No Thanksgiving is complete without it in our house, and this is the homemade apple pie that I make every year without fail.

My best-ever apple pie recipe keeps it classic, but never boring. It’s brimming with cozy, spiced flavors rolled up in the most incredible caramelized apple pie filling, tucked beneath a lattice crust. It’s one of my most-requested holiday desserts and I just know that your family will love it as much as we do. It

This recipe begins and ends with a buttery, flaky pie crust below and on top, with a generous amount of rich, tender apples in between.

Why This Pie Recipe Works

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how uncomplicated it is. I’m all about big results with minimal effort, and this apple pie definitely delivers! Here’s what makes this the best apple pie recipe:

• Cooking the apples first. Your basic apple pie recipes call for simply piling chopped fresh apples into the unbaked crust. But we’re not doing basic pie, here. This pie is loaded with apples that I caramelize before baking. It’s a simple, fast technique that makes all the difference in terms of a perfectly-cooked filling!
• Perfect crust. I set this pie in my classic all-butter pie crust recipe, linked in the Ingredients section below. It’s super easy to make! There’s nothing quite like a buttery, flaky pie crust filled to the brim with sweet-tart caramelized apples.
• Make-ahead friendly. This classic apple pie recipe can be prepared ahead of time, and the assembled pie can be kept in the freezer either baked or unbaked. I love making double the pies when apples are in season, to enjoy flavorful homemade pie all year!

What You’ll Need

Below is a short overview of everything you’ll need to make the perfect apple pie from scratch. Remember to scroll to the recipe card below the post for the full ingredient amounts and details!

• Pie Crust: I use my recipe for Homemade Pie Crust. You can also make this recipe using your own homemade crust, or a ready-made, refrigerated pie crust from the grocery store.
• Apples: Choose a good baking apple, like Granny Smith, Jonagold, or similar (see below). My favorite is Granny Smith, I love the tartness paired with the spices and sweetness of the pie filling.
• Cinnamon Sugar: The classic, sweet, and cozy flavoring of an apple pie. It’s as easy as combining ground cinnamon with granulated or brown sugar. Feel free to add in a pinch of nutmeg if you’d like, or you can use an apple pie spice blend from the store.
• Butter: I saute my apples with cinnamon sugar and a bit of butter to create the rich and saucy, caramelized apple pie filling. 
• Egg: You’ll need one egg whisked with water for an egg wash to brush over the pie crust prior to baking. And egg wash helps the lattice crust bake up beautifully glossy and golden.
• Turbinado Sugar: Optional, to sprinkle over the pie for extra crunch.

What Are the Best Apples for Apple Pie?

Some apples are better for making pies than others. Good apples for baking are Granny Smith (my personal fave), Braeburn, Cortland, Fuji, Jonagold, or McIntosh apples. These varieties bake up firm and aren’t overly sweet, which is ideal for cooking and baking. They’re also widely available. 

If you’d like, go ahead and use a combination of different apples in your pie filling for a more complex flavor and texture. Avoid red delicious apples when making apple pie, as these don’t cook as nicely.

How to Make Apple Pie From Scratch

A classic apple pie is a must for fall baking, and everyone needs a go-to recipe. I hope this one will be yours! So, who’s ready to make some pie? Let’s get into it.

Prepare the Pie Crust 

The first step is to prepare your chosen pie dough. Afterward, divide the dough in half. Wrap one portion in saran wrap and place it in the fridge. You’ll use this portion later on when making the lattice topping. Next, use the first half to line your pie plate:

• Roll out the dough. Roll the pie crust out into a circle, about 1/8 of an inch thick. Gently press the pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate.
• Trim and chill. Using a knife, trim away the overhanging dough from the sides of the pie plate. Then, use your fingers to crimp the edges. Pop your prepared crust into the fridge to chill while you prepare your apples for the filling.

Prepare the Pie Filling

Along with a perfect crust, the key to any apple pie lies in the best apple pie filling. I’ve created an uber-simple filling recipe that’s jam-packed with tender apples and cozy spices. Here’s how to make it:

• Combine the Apples with Cinnamon Sugar: Add your sliced apples to a big bowl, then whisk up your cinnamon sugar in a separate, smaller bowl. Sprinkle this over the apples and toss to coat.
• Cook the Apple Pie Filling: Working in two batches, add the apples to a hot skillet with melted butter. Fry the apples for a few minutes to soften them slightly and to get the sugar nice and caramelized. Afterward, spread the caramelized apples and sauce out on a baking sheet (this helps to speed up the cooling process).

• Fill the pie crust. Once your apples have cooled, it’s time to fill the pie! Take your chilled pie crust out of the fridge and pour the cooled caramelized apples into the prepared crust. 

Now, there are two options when it comes to your top crust. You can top your pie with a double-layer crust, where you simply roll out the second piece of dough and place it over the apple filling. Trim and crimp the edges, then use a knife to slice four “vents” in the top of the crust, where the steam can escape. Alternatively, in the next section, I give an easy tutorial on how to make a beautiful lattice top like the one you see in the photos. 

Making a Lattice Top For a Pie Crust

My homemade pie crust is the starting point for so many pie recipes on my site, from this easy apple pie to my homemade Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chess Pie, and my Sweet Potato Pie (another favorite fall dessert). 

The best part? A gorgeous lattice top! It only looks super fancy, but it’s actually quick and easy to make in the time it takes to preheat the oven. Here’s a short tutorial on how to achieve a perfect lattice crust:

• Roll Out the Pie Dough: Take your wrapped pie dough out of the fridge. Dust some flour over a clean work surface and then, same as the bottom crust, roll out the dough to about 1/8-inch thick.
• Cut the Dough: Next, cut the dough into half-inch strips. You can use a sharp knife, otherwise, I like to repurpose my pizza cutter!

• Form the Lattice: You’ll use your strips to create the classic “woven” effect of a lattice top. First, lay 5 or so of the cut strips vertically over the top of the pie, evenly spaced. Next, fold back every other strip (see photo). Lay one of your unused strips horizontally across the pie, perpendicular to the vertical strip layer. Then, unfold the folded strips back so that they’re laying over the perpendicular strip. 

• Repeat: Continue with the other vertical strips, folding and then unfolding them over the next perpendicular strip. You’ll start to see your woven pattern taking shape! Repeat the process until you’ve used up all your strips to complete your lattice top.

• Trim and Seal the Edges: Finally, use a knife to trim off any overhanging ends, and crimp the edges using your fingers. Your apple pie is almost ready to bake!

Bake Your Pie!

Now it’s time to bake your apple pie. With your oven preheated to 375°F, the last thing left to do is to lightly brush your crust with an egg wash for that photo-ready, glossy finish:

• Add an Egg Wash: Whisk one egg with water and brush a light layer over the top of the pie crust. If you’d like, give the top a sprinkle with turbinado sugar for extra crunch.
• Bake: Bake the pie at 375ºF for 45-50 minutes, just until golden. See below for more pie-baking tips!

Can I Make the Pie Crust Ahead?

Yes! Another wonderful thing about my perfect flaky pie crust recipe is that you can prepare the dough up to 1-2 days in advance. Divide the dough as directed, and wrap both dough pieces tightly in plastic wrap to store in the fridge. To make it easier to roll out the chilled dough, take it out of the fridge about 10-15 minutes beforehand. You can also roll out and press the dough into your pie plate to wrap and refrigerate ahead of time.

Tips For the Perfect Apple Pie

The perfect apple pie doesn’t take much, but it does call for a bit of attention to some minor details. In case you’re new to pie-making, here are some final tips to keep in mind:

• Cook the apples beforehand. This is the difference between a “meh” apple pie recipe and the best apple pie recipe. It adds delicious buttery flavor, and most importantly, pre-cooking the apples prevents a giant cavity from forming under the top crust after it’s baked. The cavity scenario happens when uncooked apples reduce as they bake, leaving empty space beneath the lid.
• If you must make this recipe without sauteing the apples, make sure to toss the raw apples with a bit of flour along with the cinnamon sugar. This helps to absorb excess liquid and thicken up the filling.
• If your pie is browning too quickly, use a pie shield, or place a piece of aluminum foil gently over the crust while it finishes baking so that it doesn’t burn.
• Check the pie for doneness. Your apple pie is done when the juices are visibly bubbling beneath the crust. You can also take the pie’s temperature to be sure. An internal temperature of 200ºF means your pie is ready to come out.
• Let the pie cool before slicing. Allow your pie to cool for at least one hour before serving. This gives the filling time to set up for firmer, less messy slices.
• Make extra apple pie filling and use it to make Apple Pie Dip! 

Topping Ideas

It doesn’t get better than a slice of warmed-up apple pie topped with a fat scoop of melty vanilla ice cream. Hello, apple pie a la mode! This homemade pie is equally delicious topped with a swirl of whipped cream and Caramel Sauce (for fall bonus points, try my Apple Cider Caramel Sauce or Pumpkin Spice Caramel Sauce!). 

How to Store Apple Pie

You can safely store this apple pie covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. Any longer than that and I recommend storing it in the fridge. Cover your pie lightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for up to 5 days. Don’t wrap it too tightly as the crust may become soggy. I love warming individual slices in the microwave for 30 seconds or so prior to serving.

Can I Freeze Apple Pie?

Yes, and you can freeze this apple pie either before or after it’s baked:

• To freeze unbaked apple pie, wrap the prepared pie in plastic wrap, plus a layer of foil. Store the pie frozen for up to 1 month. You can bake the unwrapped pie straight from frozen, adding an additional 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
• To freeze the baked pie, follow the directions for wrapping and freezing above. Whenever you’re ready to serve, allow the pie to thaw, unwrapped, at room temperature before placing it into a 350ºF oven to warm through.

More Easy Apple Desserts

• Dutch Apple Pie
• Apple Fritter Bread
• Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
• Skillet Apple Biscuits
• Apple Crisp

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