famous apple pie

Ah, a classic famous apple pie—the epitome of cozy comfort food! Here’s a recipe for a traditional apple pie that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser, with a buttery, flaky crust and a sweet, spiced apple filling.

Famous Apple Pie

For the Pie Crust (makes 2 crusts):

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water

For the Apple Filling:

• 6-7 medium apples (a mix of tart and sweet apples like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp butter, cut into small cubes

For the Pie Topping:

• 1 tbsp milk or heavy cream (for brushing)
• 1 tbsp coarse sugar (for sprinkling, optional)

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Directions:

Make the Pie Crust:

1. Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, and sugar together.
2. Cut in the butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to break the butter into small pea-sized pieces, working quickly to avoid warming the butter.
3. Add ice water: Gradually add the ice water, starting with 1/4 cup. Mix with a fork until the dough just begins to come together. If it’s too dry, add a bit more water, 1 tbsp at a time, until the dough holds together.
4. Chill the dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions, form each into a disk, and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight).

Prepare the Apple Filling:

1. Peel and slice apples: Peel, core, and slice the apples into thin slices (about 1/4 inch thick). Place the slices in a large bowl.
2. Mix the filling: In a separate bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Toss this mixture with the apple slices until the apples are evenly coated.
3. Let the filling sit: Allow the apple mixture to sit for about 10-15 minutes to release some juice and help thicken the filling.

Assemble the Pie:

1. Preheat your oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Roll out the dough: Take one of the dough discs and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a circle about 12 inches in diameter. Carefully transfer it to a 9-inch pie dish, gently pressing it into the dish without stretching it.
3. Add the filling: Spoon the apple filling into the pie crust, piling it high in the center. Dot the top with small cubes of butter.
4. Top the pie: Roll out the second dough disk and place it on top of the apples. You can either create a full top crust or cut it into strips for a lattice crust. (If using a full top crust, be sure to cut a few slits for steam to escape.)
5. Seal and trim: Trim any excess dough, then crimp the edges to seal the pie. For a decorative touch, you can use a fork or your fingers to crimp the edges.
6. Brush and sprinkle: Brush the top crust with milk or heavy cream, then sprinkle with coarse sugar for a nice crunch and a golden finish.

Bake the Pie:

1. Bake the pie: Place the pie in the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
2. Cool: Let the pie cool for at least 2 hours to allow the filling to set. This will help you get clean slices when you cut it.

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Serve and Enjoy:

Serve your pie warm, and if you want to go all out, top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. The combination of the warm, spiced apple filling with the buttery crust is pure heaven.

Would you want to adjust the spice level or add any other flavor twists, like a dash of caramel or a sprinkle of toasted nuts? Or do you prefer to stick with the classic?