A warm, comforting classic apple pie with a flaky crust and a sweet, spiced apple filling.
Ingredients:
- For the Crust:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup cold vegetable shortening, cut into cubes
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup ice water
- For the Filling:
- 6-8 medium apples (such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons of butter cut into small pieces.
- For the Egg Wash (Optional):
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
- For the topping (Optional):
- Coarse sugar or granulated sugar.
Instructions:
- Prepare the Crust:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in the cold butter and shortening using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Do not overmix.
- Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Prepare the Filling:
- In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and lemon juice. Toss to coat evenly.
- Assemble the Pie:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough into a 12-inch circle.
- Carefully transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie plate.
- Pour the apple filling into the pie crust, and distribute the small pieces of butter evenly over the top of the apples.
- Roll out the remaining disc of dough into a 12-inch circle.
- Cut strips to create a lattice top, or place the entire second rolled out dough round over the top of the apples. If using the entire round, cut several slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
- If creating a lattice top, weave the strips over the pie. Trim and crimp the edges of both crusts together.
- If using the whole top, trim the excess dough and crimp the edges.
- If desired, whisk together the egg and milk for the egg wash, and brush it over the top crust. Sprinkle with coarse sugar or granulated sugar.
- Bake the Pie:
- Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any drips.
- Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and bake for another 45-55 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
- If the crust edges brown too quickly, cover them with strips of aluminum foil.
- Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Enjoy your homemade apple pie!