Buttery Apple Pie Recipe

Wholesome Country-Style Homemade Apple Pie Recipe

Warm ovens and autumn afternoons spark memories of sweet homemade rustic apple pie recipes that embrace comfort and tradition.

Golden pastry crusts cradle tender, spiced apple slices bursting with cinnamon and nutmeg.

Seasonal apples picked fresh from local orchards create a dessert that whispers of cozy moments and cherished gatherings.

Each flaky bite promises a delightful journey through layers of buttery goodness and caramelized fruit.

The rustic approach transforms simple ingredients into a masterpiece of rustic simplicity.

Weekend bakers will adore how effortlessly this pie comes together with minimal technique and maximum flavor.

Unleash your inner pastry chef and let this irresistible apple pie become your new favorite autumn dessert.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 9

Serving Ideas For Homemade Apple Pie

  • Rustic Farmhouse Dessert Plate: Create a charming, cozy presentation with a wooden cutting board, placing the warm apple pie slice slightly off-center, dusted with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar.
  • Comfort Companion Pairings: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream, allowing the warm pie to contrast with the cool, creamy topping for a delightful temperature contrast.
  • Seasonal Garnish Flair: Enhance the serving with a light dusting of ground cinnamon, a few fresh apple slices arranged artfully, or a sprig of mint to add a pop of color and freshness to the classic dessert.
  • Cozy Evening Indulgence: Pair the pie with a warm mug of spiced apple cider or a rich, creamy caramel sauce drizzled delicately over the slice for an extra layer of indulgent flavor.

Storage Tips For Homemade Apple Pie

  • Fridge-Fresh Storage: Keep your homemade apple pie in an airtight container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 4 days, maintaining its delectable flavor and texture without compromising quality.
  • Room Temperature Magic: Allow the pie to sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving. This technique helps restore the buttery crust's original crispness and allows flavors to meld beautifully.
  • Smart Freezing Strategy: Wrap the entire unbaked pie in multiple layers of plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, bake directly from frozen state, adding 15-20 extra minutes to cooking time.
  • Make-Ahead Meal Planning: Prepare pie crust and filling separately up to 2 days in advance. Store dough disks in refrigerator and apple mixture in a sealed container. Assemble and bake when you're ready for a fresh, warm dessert that feels like a special occasion.

What You’ll Need For Homemade Apple Pie

For Pie Crust Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides the base structure and classic pie crust texture, choose unbleached for better flavor.
  • Salt: Enhances overall taste and balances the sweetness of the filling.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness to the crust, creating a delicate flavor profile.
  • Unsalted Butter: Creates flaky layers and rich buttery taste, use cold for optimal texture.
  • Ice Water: Helps bind the dough without developing gluten, ensuring a tender crust.
For Apple Filling Ingredients:
  • Apples: Select firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for balanced flavor and perfect texture.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the filling and helps create a glossy sauce.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes and moisture to the apple mixture.
  • Lemon Juice: Prevents browning and adds bright, tangy undertones to the filling.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Brings warm, classic apple pie spice and aromatic depth.
  • Ground Nutmeg: Provides subtle, earthy warmth to complement the cinnamon.
  • Salt: Balances and intensifies the overall flavor profile.
  • Cornstarch: Thickens the filling, preventing a runny pie and creating a perfect consistency.
For Finishing Ingredients:
  • Egg: Creates a golden, glossy crust when whisked with milk.
  • Milk: Helps the egg wash create a beautiful, shiny surface on the pie crust.
  • Butter: Adds extra richness and helps create a golden, crisp top layer.

Kitchen Gear For Homemade Apple Pie

  • Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining dry ingredients and creating pie dough and apple filling.
  • Pastry Cutter or Fork: Perfect for cutting cold butter into flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
  • Whisk: Great for blending dry ingredients and creating smooth egg wash.
  • Rolling Pin: Crucial for rolling out pie crust dough to the right thickness.
  • 9-inch Pie Pan: Standard size for baking this classic apple pie.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Necessary for accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Sharp Knife: Helpful for slicing apples and trimming pie crust edges.
  • Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for preparing ingredients.
  • Small Bowl: Used for making egg wash and mixing additional ingredients.
  • Aluminum Foil: Optional for protecting pie crust edges during baking.

Easy Steps To Make Homemade Apple Pie

  • Create Dough Base

Mix flour, salt, and sugar in a bowl. Cut cold butter into small pieces and blend until the mixture looks like chunky sand. Drizzle icy water gradually and knead until the dough forms a soft ball. Separate into two round sections, wrap in plastic, and chill in refrigerator for one hour.

  • Prepare Apple Mixture

Slice apples and toss with sugars, lemon juice, spices, and thickener. Allow mixture to rest and release natural juices, creating a rich, flavorful filling.

  • Build Pie Structure

Warm oven to 375F. Roll out first dough section and drape into pie pan. Pour seasoned apple mixture into crust. Add small butter dollops across the top. Cover with second dough section, pinching edges together and creating decorative patterns. Cut small air vents on top.

  • Bake to Golden Perfection

Brush top crust with egg wash for beautiful shine. Slide pie into oven and bake until crust turns deep golden and filling bubbles energetically. Shield edges with foil if browning too quickly.

  • Rest and Serve

Allow pie to cool completely, letting filling set and flavors meld. Slice and serve with creamy vanilla ice cream or soft whipped cream for a delightful dessert experience.

Simple Tips For Homemade Apple Pie

  • Perfect Crust Secrets: Use ice-cold butter and handle pastry dough minimally to keep it flaky and tender.
  • Apple Selection Magic: Mix tart Granny Smith with sweet Honeycrisp apples for a balanced, complex flavor profile that elevates the entire pie.
  • Make-Ahead Brilliance: Prepare pie crust dough up to 3 days in advance and store in refrigerator, or freeze unbaked pie for up to 3 months for quick future desserts.
  • Diet-Friendly Twists: Swap regular flour with gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly version, or use coconut sugar instead of white sugar for lower glycemic index option.
  • Flavor Boosting Hacks: Add a pinch of ground cardamom or replace some cinnamon with ginger for unexpected warming notes that complement classic apple pie taste.
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Buttery Apple Pie Recipe

Rustic Apple Pie Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Grandma’s classic apple pie delights taste buds with its golden, flaky crust and cinnamon-spiced filling. Warm slices pair perfectly with vanilla ice cream, inviting friends and family to savor this timeless dessert.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups (1.4 kg) apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji)
  • 2 ½ cups (313 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (55 g) brown sugar
  • 68 tbsps ice water
  • 2 tbsps cornstarch or flour
  • 1 ½ tsps cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp milk or water
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Pastry Preparation: Whisk flour, salt, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Integrate chilled butter cubes using a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice-cold water, blending until dough forms. Divide into two disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour to firm up.
  2. Apple Filling Creation: Combine sliced apples with sugars, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch. Let mixture rest to release and concentrate fruit juices, creating a robust flavor foundation.
  3. Crust Assembly: Preheat oven to 375F. Roll out one pastry disk on a floured surface and carefully transfer to pie dish. Trim excess edges with precision. Spread macerated apple filling evenly, dotting with butter fragments for additional richness.
  4. Pie Topping and Finishing: Layer second pastry disk over filling, sealing edges with a decorative crimp. Cut strategic venting slits across the top. Brush with egg wash to achieve a golden, glossy exterior.
  5. Baking Process: Position pie in preheated oven. Bake for approximately 55 minutes, monitoring crust color and filling bubble. If edges brown too quickly, protect with aluminum foil. Remove when crust turns amber and filling becomes gloriously bubbly.
  6. Serving Recommendation: Allow pie to cool and set for 2 hours. Slice and serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a sublime dessert experience.

Notes

  • Select Butter Quality: Choose high-fat, cold European-style butter for flakier, more robust pastry texture that elevates entire pie experience.
  • Prevent Soggy Crust: Sprinkle thin layer of breadcrumbs or ground almonds beneath apple filling to absorb excess moisture and maintain crisp bottom crust integrity.
  • Control Apple Texture: Mix apple varieties like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp for balanced sweetness and structural consistency, preventing mushy or overly firm filling.
  • Modify Dietary Needs: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend and use coconut oil instead of butter for dairy-free, wheat-sensitive individuals without compromising delicious traditional flavor profile.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 16 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 49 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Marcus Foley

Marcus Foley

Food Critic & Kitchen Coach

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Troubleshooting; Time-Saving Kitchen Hacks; Global Flavor Exploration; Engaging Food Writing and Honest Reviews.

Education

Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), New York, NY

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in foundational techniques, flavor development, recipe creation, and kitchen efficiency, with an emphasis on real-world application and storytelling through food.

Marcus Foley, based in Atlanta, GA, is a friendly food expert who makes cooking fun and simple.

With hands-on training from the Institute of Culinary Education and years of tasting everything from street food to fine dining, he shares easy kitchen hacks, global flavor ideas, and step-by-step recipes that turn kitchen mishaps into delicious surprises.

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