Homemade Apple Pie

There might actually not be anything better on the earth than a warm slice of homemade apple pie topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Am I right? Or am I RIGHT? Using the best apples for baking, a combination of spices and a little thickening, this is the best apple pie!

When I was a little girl I was a cookie lover. Quite a few of my very first memories involve being in the kitchen with Dad to make oatmeal raisin chocolate chip cookies and with Mom to make Halloween sugar cookies. Which is funny because I never really liked those sugar cookies. I remember Mom rolling out that soft, delicious dough (the dough was yummers, it was the baked cookie that lost its appeal to me) and me stamping out as many spooky shapes as I could. But those things are fading because as I get older I’m finding that I enjoy a slice of pie more and more. Especially this homemade apple pie.

In my experience, you are either an apple pie lover or an apple pie hater. If you read about Cade’s apple pie you’ll learn that my mom HATED apple pie which is why I don’t have a recipe from her. But that seems to be common, a lot of people don’t like apple pie while others adore it. I’m an adorer. ADORER? Is that even a word?

What Do I Need to Make Homemade Apple Pie?

I think most people think apple pie is super complicated and involved, but it is really so simple and only takes a few simple ingredients. There are only 5 ingredients in the pie crust, and then for the filling, I love to use a blend of apples with some sugar, salt, spices and flour for thickening. It’s so easy! Anyone can do it! Here is what you will need…

Pie Crust: flour, butter, salt, sugar, and ice water

Pie Filling

• Apples: a blend of Honey Crisp, Granny Smith, and Golden Delicious
• Sugar
• Brown Sugar
• Kosher Salt
• Spices: Nutmeg, Cinnamon, and Cardamom
• Flour
• Milk
• Sprinkling Sugar (optional)

The measurements for all the ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post. I should also mention here that some people swear by adding a little lemon juice to apple pie filling. I feel like it messes with the pure apple flavor of the filling, but if you are fan of lemon in the filling, by all means, go for it!!

The Best Pie Crust for Apple Pie

I used my mom’s magic, fail-proof pie crust for years and years, and it is amazing…but then I tried this all butter pie crust and I’m sold for life! It is so flaky and buttery and perfect! I love the flavor of it with the apple pie filling. Head to our post for the crust for all the details! It’s so easy to make and comes out perfect every time.

Should the Apples Be Cooked Ahead of Time?

There is a fine line between apples that are too crunchy and the apples becoming mush in a pie. For me the apples are just as important as the pie crust so they have to be gently cooked first.  I’ve tested this enough to know it’s the only way to go but out of curiosity I started googling to see if there was any science behind it. Sure enough, Cooks Illustrated to the rescue and to totally validate my claims!

Over a gentle heat for a longer period of time, the pectin in apples becomes converted to a more stable form. In other words, they will hold up to baking and won’t become mushy. So remember, whatever texture you take the apples to when you finish cooking them on the stove, that’s how they will taste in your pie.

Now everyone’s different so play around with things to your own liking. If you like softer apples then keep cooking and stirring; use a shorter time if you like more crunch. 

What Apples are the Best for Apple Pie?

The apples are a variety of Honey Crisp, Granny Smith and Golden Delicious which I know, you’re used to being told to go straight to granny’s, but trust me, these all give the pie the perfect sweetness to use a variety. See below for other apples you could use.

Apples to Use in Apple Pie

• Granny Smith
• Braeburn
• Macintosh
• Honey Crisp
• Golden Delicious
• Ambrosia
• Gala
• Fuji

Use Cooled Apples not Hot Apples

I learned from a fantastic pie book by Erin McDowell to allow the apples to cool on cookie sheets before putting them into the pie crust. This ensures even baking of the crust and does not create excess steam from the hot apples under the pie crust you want to be cold going into the oven. 

How to Avoid a Soggy Pie Crust

1. Use a glass pie plate which conducts heat the best out of all pie dishes. Ceramic is great as well but avoid metal or tin.
2. Chill the dough in the pie plate after forming it and before baking. 
3. Pop a cookie sheet in the oven to preheat and place the pie plate on that. The bottom heat will help to keep the crust flaky.
4. Start at 400 and be prepared to reduce the temperature to 375.

Can You Freeze Apple Pie Before Baking?

You can freeze apple pie before or after baking.

To freeze before baking, wrap tightly with foil or place in a heavy duty freezer bag and freeze.

Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How Do You Bake A Frozen Pie?

Place frozen pie on foil lined cookie sheet to catch any run over from juice.

Cook at 400 degrees for 30 minutes and then reduce heat to 350 degrees for approximately 35-45 minutes.

Do You Need to Store Apple Pie in the Fridge?

How long will apple pie keep? A week! Well, not sitting on the counter for more than the first few days.

Think of all those old movies with a pie sitting out on the counter, they had it right! The sugars in the pie act as a preservative and allow you to leave it out for a good 2, maybe 3 days but then head to the fridge if you haven’t finished it off (ha, who would have leftovers!) as the cold fridge will preserve it longer. 

PHEW!! Now you know how to make a killer homemade apple pie! Don’t forget to make my true favorite though, Dutch Apple Pie with White Chocolate Sauce! It’s the epic apple pie with an amazing streusel on top.

More FRUIT PIES You’re Sure to Love:

• Peach Pie with Lattice Top
• Perfect Razzleberry Pie
• Dutch Mixed Berry Pie
• Simple Blueberry Pie
• Fresh Strawberry Pie
• Lemon Jello Peach Pie
• Strawberry Rhubarb Pot Pies
• Sour Cream Peach Pie
• Homemade Apple Pie
• Dulce de Leche Banana Cream Pie
• Dutch Apple Pie

Watch Our Homemade Apple Pie Video