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A steaming bowl of butternut squash soup garnished with fresh herbs.

Quick way to grow: 5 Secrets for Perfect Apple Pie

This recipe reveals 5 secrets for baking a perfect apple pie every time. From choosing the right apples to achieving a flaky crust, these tips will elevate your pie-making skills and impress everyone who takes a bite.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Crust
  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, very cold and cubed
  • 0.5 cup ice water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
For the Filling
  • 6 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and sliced
  • 0.75 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
For the Egg Wash
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon water

Equipment

  • Large bowl
  • Whisk
  • Plastic wrap
  • Rolling pin
  • 9-inch pie plate

Method
 

Prepare the Crust
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt, then cut in the very cold, cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Add Water and Chill
  1. Gradually add ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together, then divide it in half, flatten each half into a disc, wrap them in plastic, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
Prepare the Filling
  1. In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice, tossing until the apples are evenly coated.
Assemble the Pie
  1. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of chilled dough and carefully transfer it to a 9-inch pie plate, trimming any excess and leaving a small overhang.
Add Filling and Top Crust
  1. Pour the apple filling into the crust, dot with small pieces of butter, then roll out the second disc of dough and place it over the filling.
Seal and Vent
  1. Trim and crimp the edges of the pie, cut several slits in the top crust for venting, and then brush with an egg wash.
Bake the Pie
  1. Bake the pie in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 375°F (190°C) and continue baking for 35-45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
Cool and Serve
  1. Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Notes

For an extra flaky crust, ensure your butter is very cold and handle the dough as little as possible. For the best flavor, use a combination of tart and sweet apples.