The Apple Pie by Grandma Ople recipe is a beloved, homemade classic known for its delicious, buttery crust and perfectly spiced apple filling. This recipe has been passed down through generations and is a favorite for its simplicity and irresistible taste. Here’s how you can make it:
Apple Pie by Grandma Ople
Ingredients for the Pie Crust:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- 1/4 cup ice water (more if needed)
Ingredients for the Filling:
- 8 cups thinly sliced and peeled apples (about 6-7 medium apples, a mix of tart and sweet apples like Granny Smith and Fuji)
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (to dot the filling)
- 1 tablespoon milk or cream (for brushing the crust)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Pie Crust:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
- Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter, fork, or your hands to blend the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized bits of butter.
- Slowly add the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing with a fork until the dough starts to come together. You may need a little more or less water, depending on the humidity.
- Split the dough into two equal parts. Shape each into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before rolling out.
2. Prepare the Filling:
- In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples with white sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Stir gently until the apples are evenly coated in the mixture.
- Let the apples sit for about 10-15 minutes while you roll out the dough.
3. Assemble the Pie:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Roll out one of the chilled dough discs on a lightly floured surface to fit a 9-inch pie pan.
- Place the dough into the pie pan, gently pressing it into the bottom and up the sides.
- Pour the apple filling into the prepared pie crust. Dot the filling with small pieces of butter.
- Roll out the second disc of dough and place it over the apples. Trim any excess dough from the edges, and then crimp the edges to seal the pie.
- Cut a few slits in the top of the pie to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Brush the top crust with milk or cream, which will give it a beautiful golden finish.
4. Bake the Pie:
- Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling through the slits in the crust.
- If the edges of the crust start to brown too quickly, cover them with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
5. Cool and Serve:
- Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool for at least 1-2 hours to allow the filling to set. This will make it easier to slice.
- Serve warm or at room temperature with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream if desired.
This Apple Pie by Grandma Ople is the perfect balance of sweet and tart apples, with a wonderfully flaky and buttery crust. It’s a tried-and-true recipe that’s sure to become a favorite in your kitchen!