There’s nothing quite like a classic homemade apple pie fresh from the oven. With a buttery, flaky crust, tender cinnamon-spiced apples, and a sweet, golden filling bubbling around the edges, this old-fashioned apple pie is the kind of dessert that makes everyone ask for seconds.
This easy classic apple pie recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, fall gatherings, Sunday dinners, or whenever you’re craving a cozy homemade dessert. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate treat!
Why You’ll Love This Classic Apple Pie
- Classic homemade flavor – Just like the apple pie you remember growing up with.
- Perfectly spiced – Cinnamon and nutmeg complement the apples without overpowering them.
- Flaky, buttery crust – Golden on the outside and tender inside.
- Easy to make – Simple ingredients and straightforward steps.
- Perfect for fall – An absolute must-have for Thanksgiving and holiday baking.
Ingredients
For the Pie Crust
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 6–8 tablespoons ice water
For the Apple Filling
- 6–7 medium apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Top
- 1 tablespoon butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon coarse sugar, optional
How to Make Classic Apple Pie
1. Make the Pie Crust
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with a few pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing just until the dough comes together. Divide the dough into two discs, wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Prepare the Apple Filling
In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla. Toss until the apples are evenly coated.
Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes so the flavors can come together.
3. Assemble the Pie
Preheat your oven to 425°F.
Roll out one disc of dough and place it into a 9-inch pie dish. Pour the apple filling into the crust and spread it evenly. Dot the top with small pieces of butter.
Roll out the second disc of dough and place it over the apples. Trim and crimp the edges, then cut several small slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
Whisk together the egg and water and brush the top crust with the egg wash. Sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired.
4. Bake
Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F and continue baking for another 35–45 minutes, or until the crust is deeply golden and the filling is bubbling.
If the edges begin browning too quickly, cover them loosely with aluminum foil.
5. Cool and Serve
Allow the apple pie to cool for at least 2 hours before slicing. This gives the filling time to set so you get beautiful, hearty slices instead of a runny filling.
Serve warm or at room temperature with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
The Best Apples for Apple Pie
For the best flavor and texture, use a combination of sweet and tart apples. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Braeburn, and Golden Delicious are all excellent choices.
Using a combination of apples can give your pie a more complex flavor and prevents it from tasting overly sweet.
Tips for the Best Homemade Apple Pie
Keep the butter cold. Cold butter is the secret to a flaky pie crust.
Don’t skip the lemon juice. It adds a little brightness to the filling and balances the sweetness.
Slice the apples evenly. This helps them cook at the same rate.
Let the pie cool. As tempting as it is to cut into a piping-hot apple pie, letting it cool allows the filling to thicken properly.
Watch the crust. If the crust is browning before the filling is finished, loosely cover the edges with foil.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to peel the apples?
For the smoothest, most traditional apple pie filling, peeling the apples is recommended. However, you can leave the skins on if you prefer a more rustic pie.
Can I make apple pie ahead of time?
Absolutely! Apple pie is a great make-ahead dessert. Bake it a day ahead and store it covered at room temperature.
How do I store leftover apple pie?
Cover the pie and store it at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate it for longer storage. Reheat individual slices in the microwave or oven before serving.
Can I freeze apple pie?
Yes! A fully baked apple pie can be cooled completely, wrapped tightly, and frozen. Thaw and reheat in the oven until warmed through.
Nutrition Information
Estimated per slice, based on 8 slices per pie and may vary depending on ingredients and brands.
- Calories: ~485
- Protein: ~5g
- Carbohydrates: ~68g
- Fat: ~23g
- Saturated Fat: ~14g
- Fiber: ~4g
- Sugar: ~34g
- Sodium: ~320mg
Final Thoughts
This classic apple pie recipe is everything a homemade apple pie should be: buttery, flaky, warm, sweet, and filled with tender cinnamon apples. It’s an old-fashioned dessert that never goes out of style and is guaranteed to make your kitchen smell absolutely incredible.
Whether you’re baking it for Thanksgiving, a family dinner, or simply because it’s officially apple pie season, this is one recipe you’ll want to keep coming back to. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream while the pie is still warm, and you’ve got pure fall perfection!
I hope you enjoyed learning about how to make this classic apple pie recipe! If you liked this one, you should check out my Fresh Homemade Hot Apple Cider recipe and the rest of my blog. If you have any questions, please contact me at: [email protected]
