The Best Classic American Apple Pie Recipe for Your Family

A classic American apple pie represents the quintessential comfort dessert that warms hearts and evokes nostalgic memories.

Sweet, tangy apples nestled within a buttery, flaky crust create a timeless culinary masterpiece that transcends generations.

Bakers love revamping simple ingredients into an irresistible treat that sparks joy and connection around family tables.

Regional orchards provide the perfect foundation for this beloved pastry, offering crisp, robust fruit with complex flavor profiles.

Generations of home cooks have perfected techniques that revamp basic components into a remarkable dessert experience.

Skilled bakers understand the delicate balance between spices, fruit, and pastry that elevates this iconic dish from ordinary to extraordinary.

Prepare to embark on a delightful baking adventure that celebrates tradition, craftsmanship, and pure deliciousness.

How to Bake a Flaky Classic American Apple Pie

Step 1: Prepare Apples

• Lemon juice
• Sugar

Gently toss to prevent browning.

Step 2: Macerate Apple Mixture

Place apple mixture in refrigerator for 2.5 hours until of juice is released.

Step 3: Create Caramel Sauce

• Flour
• Apple juice
• Sugars
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Vanilla

Cook until sauce reaches a rich caramel-like consistency.

Step 4: Combine Apples and Sauce

Fold apple slices into the warm caramel sauce, ensuring even coating.

Step 5: Assemble Pie Crust

Layer sauced apples into chilled pie crust, creating a beautiful mounded center.

Step 6: Add Lattice Topping

Cover pie with intricate lattice crust. Seal edges carefully.

Step 7: Prepare for Baking

Freeze pie briefly while preheating oven to 425°F.

Step 8: Final Touches

Brush pie top with egg wash. Sprinkle raw sugar over surface.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350°F and continue baking 50-60 minutes.

Tip: Cover with foil if crust browns too quickly.

Apple Pie Tips for Filling, Crust, and Everything In Between

• Select Firm Apples: Choose crisp, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape and provide balanced flavor during baking.
• Macerate Methodically: Allow apples to rest in sugar and lemon juice to release natural juices, concentrating sweetness and preventing excess liquid in the pie.
• Create Caramel Sauce Carefully: Slowly cook sugar and butter mixture until it reaches a rich, golden consistency for deeper, more complex flavor profiles.
• Layer Strategically: Pack apple slices tightly and create a slight mound in the center to prevent a sunken filling after baking.
• Protect Pie Edges: Wrap aluminum foil around crust edges during the second baking phase to prevent excessive browning while ensuring even cooking.

Best Storage for Leftover Classic American Apple Pie

• Store Leftovers
• Refrigerate apple pie in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cover the pie loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss and protect the crust's texture. Place the container on a flat shelf in the refrigerator, away from strong-smelling foods.
• Reheat Method
• Warm individual slices in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to restore the crust's crispness. Wrap pie edges with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning. Alternatively, microwave a slice for 15-20 seconds for a quick warm-up, though this might slightly soften the crust.
• Freezing Option
• Wrap cooled pie tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.

What Pairs Well with Classic Apple Pie

• Savor Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Creamy, cold vanilla bean ice cream creates a dreamy contrast against the warm, spiced apple pie, melting softly and complementing the buttery crust.
• Pair with Aged Bourbon: A smooth, caramel-noted bourbon enhances the pie's rich cinnamon and nutmeg flavors, offering a sophisticated adult companion to this classic dessert.
• Enjoy Cinnamon Chai Tea: A spicy, fragrant chai tea mirrors the pie's warm spices, providing a comforting beverage that echoes the apple pie's cozy, homemade essence.
• Match with Sharp Cheddar Cheese: A slice of aged, sharp cheddar cheese delivers a tangy counterpoint to the pie's sweetness, creating a traditional American flavor combination that balances richness and acidity.

Classic American Apple Pie That Feels Like Home

• Elevate Classic Comfort: This pie transforms simple ingredients into a nostalgic dessert that wraps you in warm, homemade goodness with its rich caramel-like sauce and perfectly spiced apple filling.
• Master Technique Magic: The maceration method allows apples to release natural juices, creating an intensely flavorful filling while preventing watery consistency, ensuring a professional-level result even for home bakers.
• Textural Symphony: Experience a delightful contrast between the crisp, flaky lattice crust and the tender, soft apple slices that melt in your mouth, delivering a sensory experience with every single bite.
• Time-Invested Deliciousness: Though requiring patience with its 2.5-hour maceration and careful baking process, this recipe rewards you with an extraordinary dessert that tastes like it came straight from a professional bakery's oven.

What You’ll Need for Classic American Apple Pie

• All-Purpose Flour: Classic base for a tender, flaky pie crust.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich flavor and creates layers in the crust.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor of the pie crust.
• Ice Water: Helps bind the dough without developing tough gluten.

• Apples: Sweet, crisp fruit that forms the heart of the pie. Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best for balanced flavor.
• Lemon Juice: Prevents apple browning and adds bright, fresh notes.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps draw out apple juices.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep, caramel-like sweetness and moisture.

• Ground Cinnamon: Warm, classic spice that complements apple flavor.
• Nutmeg: Adds subtle, aromatic depth to the filling.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavor and adds complexity.
• Butter: Creates a rich, caramel-like sauce for the filling.
• All-Purpose Flour: Thickens the pie filling.

• Egg: Creates a golden, glossy crust when used as an egg wash.
• Raw Sugar: Provides a crunchy, sweet topping for the pie crust.

Apple Pie Variants with a Twist

• Rustic Caramel Crunch Pie: Replace regular sugar with brown sugar for deeper caramel notes. Add chopped pecans between apple layers for extra crunch and nutty flavor.
• Spiced Maple Apple Variation: Substitute white sugar with pure maple syrup. Increase warming spices like cardamom and ginger for a more complex flavor profile.
• Berry Fusion Apple Pie: Mix fresh blueberries or raspberries with sliced apples. Reduce sugar slightly to balance fruit sweetness and maintain pie's structural integrity.
• Savory Cheddar Crust Edition: Incorporate shredded sharp cheddar cheese into the pie crust for a tangy, unexpected complement to the sweet apple filling. Reduce sugar in filling to balance flavors.

Classic American Apple Pie Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Warm, golden-crusted apple pie embodies nostalgic comfort from American kitchens. Buttery pastry and spiced apple filling create a delectable dessert that connects generations through sweet, homemade tradition.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pie Dough:

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups (310g) all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Fat Ingredients:

• ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 5 tablespoons vegetable shortening, cold and cubed

Liquid & Egg Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup ice water
• 1 whole egg + 1 egg white for brushing

Apple Pie Filling:

Fresh Fruit Ingredients:

• 2 pounds (907g) Granny Smith apples (4–5 apples)
• 2 pounds (907g) Honeycrisp apples (3–4 apples)
• 1 lemon

Sweetening & Spice Ingredients:

• ½ cup (110g) unsalted butter
• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup apple juices (from your sliced apples)
• ⅓ cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100g) light brown sugar, packed
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping Ingredient:

• Raw sugar for sprinkling

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Instructions

1. Carefully peel and slice Granny Smith or Golden Delicious apples into precise 1/8 inch (0.3 centimeters) thin wedges.
2. Place apple slices in a large mixing bowl and gently coat with fresh lemon juice and granulated sugar to prevent oxidation and browning.
3. Transfer the seasoned apple mixture to the refrigerator and allow to macerate for approximately 2.5 hours, ensuring the apples release around of natural juice.
4. In a medium saucepan, melt unsalted butter over medium heat, then gradually whisk in all-purpose flour to create a smooth base.
5. Gradually incorporate apple juice, brown sugar, white sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and pure vanilla extract into the butter mixture.
6. Simmer the sauce until it reaches a rich, caramel-like consistency, stirring continuously to prevent scorching.
7. Gently fold the prepared apples into the warm caramel sauce, ensuring each slice is evenly coated.
8. Carefully transfer the sauced apples into a chilled pie crust, creating an attractive slightly domed arrangement.
9. Construct an intricate lattice crust on top, meticulously sealing the edges to prevent leakage.
10. Place the assembled pie in the freezer while preheating the oven to 425°F (218°C).
11. Brush the lattice crust with beaten egg wash and generously sprinkle with raw turbinado sugar.
12. Bake initially at 425°F (218°C) for 15 minutes to establish a crisp crust, then reduce temperature to 350°F (177°C) and continue baking for 50-60 minutes.
13. Monitor the pie’s surface and loosely tent with aluminum foil if browning too rapidly to prevent excessive darkening.

Notes

• Maceration Magic: Letting sliced apples sit with sugar draws out natural juices, creating a richer, more concentrated flavor for the pie filling.
• Caramel Sauce Technique: Cooking butter, sugar, and spices into a thick sauce helps bind the apple slices and adds depth to the overall taste profile.
• Crust Chilling Trick: Freezing the pie before baking ensures a flakier, more structured crust that holds its shape during baking.
• Temperature Transition: Starting at a high temperature and then lowering creates a perfectly golden, crisp exterior while allowing the interior to cook thoroughly.
• Foil Protection: Covering the pie if it browns too quickly prevents burning and ensures even cooking throughout the entire baking process.
• Egg Wash Secret: Brushing the crust with egg creates a beautiful golden sheen and helps the raw sugar stick, adding both visual appeal and a slight crunch.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Sugar: 35 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg