Homemade apple pie

Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 45-55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes – 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients:

For the Pie Crust:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 6-8 tablespoons ice water

For the Apple Filling:

• 6-7 medium-sized apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

For Egg Wash:

• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pie Crust:
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and granulated sugar. Add the cold cubed butter.
   • Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
   • Gradually add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and mix until the dough comes together.
   • Divide the dough into two equal parts, shape each into a disc, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
2. Prepare the Apple Filling:
   • In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and lemon juice. Toss until the apples are evenly coated. Set aside.
3. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
4. Roll Out the Pie Crust:
   • On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of pie dough into a circle large enough to fit into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie dish. Transfer the rolled-out dough to the pie dish.
   • Trim any excess dough hanging over the edges.
5. Fill the Pie:
   • Pour the prepared apple filling into the pie crust, spreading it out evenly. Dot the top of the filling with small pieces of butter.
6. Top with Second Crust:
   • Roll out the second disc of pie dough into a circle large enough to cover the top of the pie. You can either place the entire circle over the filling or create a lattice pattern with strips of dough.
7. Seal and Crimp the Edges:
   • Trim any excess dough hanging over the edges of the pie dish. Press the edges of the crusts together to seal. Crimp the edges using a fork or your fingers to create a decorative border.
8. Make Egg Wash:
   • In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to make the egg wash.
9. Brush and Vent:
   • Brush the top crust with the egg wash. Use a sharp knife to make several small slits or vents in the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking.
10. Bake the Pie:
    • Place the assembled pie on a baking sheet to catch any drips. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
11. Cool and Serve:
    • Allow the pie to cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving.
    • Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.
12. Enjoy:
    • Enjoy this homemade apple pie with its flaky crust and flavorful apple filling, perfect for any occasion or celebration!

Feel free to adjust the sugar and spice levels in the apple filling according to your taste preferences. You can also add a sprinkle of coarse sugar on top of the crust before baking for extra sparkle and texture.