Preparing the Filling
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Preparing the Filling |
Making a homemade apple pie revolves around one thing – the filling! Before you start, gather your ingredients and make sure you have enough apples to make the filling. The type of apples you use for apple pie will determine the flavor, so picking the right ones is important. You can opt for sweet or tart varieties – or a mix of both – to give the pie an extra kick.
Once you’ve chosen your apples, it’s time to get hands-on with prepping them. Peel and core them and then cut them into small slices that are all roughly the same size. To add another layer of flavor, you can also incorporate some common spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom and allspice to your apple mixture. This combination of sweet, tart and spicy gives any apple pie a delicious depth that’s hard to beat.
Pie Crust Ingredients and Directions
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Pie Crust Ingredients and Directions |
Now it’s time to tackle the crust! You’ll need:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 2 tablespoons of white granulated sugar
- 2 sticks (1 cup) of cold, unsalted butter (cut into small 1/4-inch cubes)
- About 4 tablespoons of ice cold water (add more if needed)
Once you’ve gathered all your ingredients, mix together the flour, salt and sugar in a medium bowl. Add in the butter and use your hands or a pastry blender to cut it into the flour until it’s pea-sized and crumbly. Then slowly add the ice cold water, continuing to mix until everything is just moistened. If there are still dry bits, you can add more water one tablespoon at a time until it comes together.
Once that’s done, form everything into two disks and wrap each in plastic wrap. Put them in the fridge for 30 minutes before rolling out and using as directed in your recipe.
Assembling the Pie
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Assembling the Pie |
Now that you have all the ingredients, it’s time to assemble the pie. The secret to a delicious apple pie lies in the careful layering of apples and spices with the crust.
Here are the steps for assembling your apple pie:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Roll out the bottom pie crust and place it in a 9-inch pie plate. Press it lightly so it fits snugly and trim off any excess dough pieces.
- Add the sliced apples in an even layer over the dough, then sprinkle over with cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves (or whatever other mix of spices you like).
- Dot with butter pieces if desired, then cover with a second crust and crimp or fold over to seal both layers together.
- Cut off any extra dough that hangs off over the rim of the dish, then use a pastry brush to brush on an egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon of water).
- Sprinkle some sugar or cinnamon sugar into any decorative cutouts or vents you make in top crust, then bake for 45 minutes until golden brown and bubbly around edges.
Baking the Pie at Home
The final step in making your perfect homemade apple pie is the baking. This part is actually pretty easy – all you have to do is preheat your oven, roll out your crust, fill it with the apple mixture and bake it for around 40-50 minutes. During baking, you’ll want to keep an eye on your pie to make sure it doesn’t burn or get too golden on top – if it does, simply cover with foil or a pie lid.
Timing
A good rule of thumb for timing your homemade apple pie is to bake for 20 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit and then reduce the heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for the remaining time. Once baked, take out of the oven and let cool for about an hour before serving.
Getting Ready
Before even preheating your oven, there are a few things you should do such as preparing your 9-inch pie dish with non-stick spray and rolling out a double crust from one package of store-bought pastry dough. Then add the filling ingredients like peeled and sliced apples, sugar, flour and cinnamon (or whatever other ingredients you want in there!) before topping with your second pastry crust.
Baking at home is both rewarding and delicious! Now that you know how easy it is to make a homemade apple pie, you can feel confident when making this classic dessert any time of year!
Tips for a Perfect Apple Pie
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Tips for a Perfect Apple Pie |
Making a delicious apple pie can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be! With a few easy tips, you can make your very own delicious homemade apple pie in no time. The following advice will help you create the ideal pie:
Pick the right apples
This is key! Choose apples that hold their shape when baking—think Granny Smiths or Honey crisps. For an extra sweet flavor, you can try a sweeter variety such as Golden Delicious or Ambrosia.
Use the freshest ingredients
You’ll want to use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best result. Get the freshest butter and flour you can find for a delicious and flaky crust!
Go light on the spices
It’s tempting to add lots of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice for flavor. However, start off with just a pinch of each—you can always add more later if needed! Too much spices can overpower your apples and make for an overly-spiced pie.
Give it time
A good apple pie takes time—about an hour and fifteen minutes of baking in total. Let your masterpiece bake until it’s golden brown and bubbling in the center. The smell alone will be worth all the wait!
By following these tips, you’ll have a delicious homemade apple pie in no time at all!
Serve and Enjoy!
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Serve and Enjoy! |
Once you’ve completed all the steps, it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor! After your apple pie has cooled off, it’s time to slice it up and serve.
At this point you can get creative. You can add a dollop of ice cream, a sprinkle of granola for crunch, or a drizzle of caramel or chocolate syrup. With each topping, you customize the classic recipe and make it uniquely yours—you can make it even more delicious than ever! And if you don’t feel like eating the entire pie in one sitting, simply wrap up the leftovers and store them in an airtight container for later.
The best part about making your own homemade apple pie is that you get to savor every single bite knowing that you made it with love. Family and friends will definitely notice when they take that first bite into a warm slice of homemade apple pie—the sweetness will be even sweeter if they know you made it all by yourself!
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