Ingredients: 1 pie crust 1/2 cup sugar 3 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons flour 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg pinch of salt 2 cups apples, peeled and grated (about 12 cups) 2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional) Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch pie dish with butter. In a medium saucepan, stir together 1/2 cup sugar and 3 tablespoons butter until light and fluffy. Stir in flour and cinnamon; mix well. Stir in nutmeg and salt. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, or until mixture thickens. Stir in applesauce mixture until well blended. Pour mixture into the prepared pie dish; bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. If using cornstarch (optional), stir it into the apple sauce before serving.
Simple Apple Pie
Homemade apple pie is a must during the fall and holiday season. Luckily, it’s so easy to make at home! This simple apple pie recipe will surprise you, and will make your baking stress-free. Fresh apples are seasoned with warm spices, and baked to perfection in a crispy pie crust. Yum! There’s never a bad time for this traditional pie. This is the best pie for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or any autumn afternoon (use up those apple-picking apples!). Serve up apple pie slices warm and fresh, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I love the way it melts on top and mixes with the flavor of the apples.
Ingredients
Apples: You can use whatever type of apple you prefer, sweet or tart (check below for my recommendations). Slice them or chop them into cubes. Pie Crust: Make this recipe as easy as possible by starting with a pre-made, refrigerated or frozen pie crust. If you’re feeling up for it, you can use this homemade pie crust recipe instead. Sugar: The granulated sugar adds the necessary sweetness to the filling. Flour: A bit of flour coats the apples to create a better texture, and it keeps the filling from getting too runny. Spices: Nutmeg and cinnamon are the best for flavoring apple pie. You can substitute an apple pie spice mix if you have that on hand, but there are typically some extra spices in there. Butter: Use unsalted butter, melted (just pop it in the microwave). Egg: The egg is used to brush onto the crust before baking.
As you can see, this homemade apple pie ingredients list is pretty short! That’s part of what makes this recipe so simple, quick, and easy. It’s definitely a favorite for busy holidays, and it always turns out beautifully!
How to Make Homemade Apple Pie
Pie Crust: If you’re making one from scratch, start by making that so it’s prepped and ready to go. Otherwise, just prep your pre-made crust and lay it out in a pie plate. Apple Filling: Combine the dry filling ingredients (sugar, spices, etc) in a bowl with the melted butter. Then mix in the apples and toss to fully coat them. Fill: Simply pour the apples into the bottom pie crust and spread them out evenly. Top Crust: Roll out the rest of the pie dough and place it on top of the filling. Seal it with the bottom crust (tips on that below). Prep to Bake: Score (cut vents) into the top crust. Then brush with the egg wash. Bake: Bake your apple pie until the crust is golden brown.
Step by step, this recipe is so easy to follow. So don’t stress about baking your pie! Whether it’s for the holidays, or just for a weekend treat, it’s really simple.
What are the best apples for apple pie?
The great thing about this homemade apple pie is you can use whichever apples you prefer (or already have). I love Granny Smith apples, but you can use another type. Here are the ones I recommend.
Granny Smith: These are tart, but the sweet spice mixture balances them out perfectly. They’re also firm, so they hold up well when baked. Honey Crisp: These are much sweeter, but still have a delicious tartness to them. They’re also super crisp, so there’s a nice bite in them. Jonagold: These apples are so crisp and juicy, which is great for pies. Braeburn: This is another great option, because they stay firm after baking.
Really, the only apples you should avoid are ones that are particularly soft–you don’t want anything that will get gummy or mushy in the oven. I recommend avoiding Red Delicious, McIntosh, and Gala apples.
Can you freeze fresh apple pie?
Yes! You can freeze your homemade apple pie either before or after baking, and you can also make the filling and freeze that separately.
Apple Pie Filling: You can freeze the apples for up to 12 months. Place in an airtight container and thaw in the fridge overnight before filling your crust. Unbaked: Prepare and assemble the pie, then wrap securely in plastic wrap and place in a resealable, freezer-safe bag. It will keep well for 2 months. Cook the pie right from frozen at 450°F for 25 minutes. Baked: After baking, let the pie cool completely before wrapping it and placing in a freezer bag. It will keep for up to 6 months. Cook straight from frozen at 350°F for 30 minutes, with the top covered with foil to prevent burning.
Note: Frozen pies are best reheated/cooked from frozen rather than being defrosted first; otherwise, the pastry can get soggy.
How do you seal pie crusts together?
Crimp or flute the edges to seal the bottom and top crusts together. To pinch the edges, place your index finger on the inside of the crust and use your other index finger on the outside of the crust, to make a ruffle. Pinch the top and bottom crusts together as you make the ruffle, to seal the pie.
More Apple Recipes to Bake
Caramel Apple CupcakesGlazed Apple FrittersHomemade Caramel ApplesApple Cinnamon Rolls
Hands down, there is no better dessert than this homemade apple pie recipe. It’s been a classic choice for so long because it’s so good! Quick, simple, and easy to make, with the perfect flavor. It’ll be a hit no matter when you make it. If you make this recipe be sure to leave us a comment or rating. Enjoy!
