A warm, homemade apple pie is a classic dessert that never goes out of style. The buttery, flaky crust holds a filling of tender, spiced apples, creating the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. Whether served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, this apple pie will bring comfort and joy to any table. Follow this simple, step-by-step guide to baking a delightful apple pie that your family and friends will love!
Prepare the dough. In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, and mix just until the dough comes together. Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Make the apple filling. In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and flour. Set aside while you roll out the dough.
Roll out the dough. On a floured surface, roll out one dough disc to fit a 9-inch pie dish, leaving some overhang. Gently press it into the pie dish. Set the second disc aside for the top crust.
Assemble the pie. Fill the pie crust with the apple mixture, making sure the apples are evenly distributed. Roll out the second dough disc and place it over the apples. Trim any excess dough and crimp the edges to seal. Cut slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
Add egg wash. Brush the top crust with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar for extra crunch.
Bake. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the pie on the middle rack and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
Cool and serve. Let the pie cool for at least 2 hours before slicing to allow the filling to set. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.
Keeping the butter and water cold helps create a flaky pie crust. Combining sweet and tart apples (like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp) adds depth to the flavor. Toss the apples with flour to help thicken the filling as it bakes. Allowing the pie to cool fully before slicing prevents the filling from running out.