Easy Homemade Apple Pie

Homemade apple pie is perfect for every occasion! This classic recipe is an oldie but a goodie, made with simple ingredients, fresh apples, and a ready-made pie crust.

Welcome back, Cousins! I thought it was about time to add an easy apple pie recipe, don’t you think?! Not only is homemade apple pie the perfect starter recipe for beginner bakers, but it’s also a must-have pie for the Fall season and the holidays. If you don’t have a classic apple pie recipe that’s been passed down through the generations, this will fill that spot with honor!

Where Did Apple Pie Come From?

Apple pie may be an American classic, but you might be surprised to learn it didn’t originate in America! You can find apple pie listed in just about every American Classic Food list. Like many favorite foods, apple pie came from England but became distinctly American during the peak of World War 2.

You can find apple pie-like pastries in bakeries across the world, from Europe and Asia to Northern Africa. In the good ol’ U.S. of A., apple varieties are grown coast to coast from New York and Virginia to Michigan, Ohio, Washington, and California.

So, what makes a warm apple pie so perfectly American? Tart apples sweetened with a cinnamon sugar mixture baked to tender perfection between flaky pie crusts. The apple juices thicken into a sweet syrup, the buttery crust melts in your mouth. The only way to make a slice of apple pie even more American is to top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Supplies and Ingredients for Homemade Apple Pie

So, what do y’all need to make your very own homemade apple pie recipe? You’d be surprised at how few ingredients you need to make this simple recipe! Below is a list of ingredients and supplies, but you can find the complete ingredient measurements and directions in the recipe card at the end of the post. Here’s what to grab from the grocery store:

• Store-Bought Crust: the crust is the hardest part, so let’s keep things simple! You’ll need 2 total.
• Raw Apples: 6 to 7 apples of your choice; I typically use Granny Smith.
• Sugar: you’ll need both white and brown sugar.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: nothing brightens and balances the flavors in apple pie like freshly squeezed lemon juice!
• Spices: cinnamon and nutmeg for warmth, flavor, and aromatics. 
• Egg: to make the egg wash that gives the top of the pie that perfect golden brown sheen.

Supplies to Make Apple Pie:

• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Deep dish pie pan
• Mixing bowls
• Strainer or colander
• Cutting board
• Fondant cutters
• Paring knife
• Basting/pastry brush

What Are the Best Apples to Use for Apple Pie?

Now, if y’all ever walked into a grocery store, you’ve probably been overwhelmed by the sheer variety of apples filling the produce section. Different kinds of apples are available and at their best flavor depending on the time of year.

But which apples are best for baking remains a topic of great debate. Different types of apples are great for different recipes. The top pick is Granny Smith apples—they’re tart and firm and don’t get mushy when baking. It may not be your favorite apple to eat raw, but it should be your go-to baking apple.

Here are some apples to try in homemade apple pie:

• Granny Smith Apples have a tart flavor to balance the sweetness of the sugar and are firm, so they don’t get mushy. These apples are easy to find year-round.
• Honeycrisp Apples: honeycrisps are more seasonal and give apple pie a distinct flavor. They stay firm when baking, but you can usually only find them at their peak from September through October.
• Northern Spy Apples: another seasonal variety that is one of the sweetest apples you can find. It’s firm, bakes well, and is only available in October and November.
• Golden Delicious Apples: these apples are a balanced mix of sweet and tart. They’re naturally soft, so they’ll soften even more when baking and won’t give that crisp bite. They are fairly easy to find year-round.
• Jonagold Apples: similar to Golden Delicious in flavor, but not as soft. They’re also relatively easy to find year-round. 
• Pink Lady Apples: if you want a sweet apple that still has that classic apple pie tartness, pink lady apples are your gal. They’re delicious in pie, have a nice, firm texture, and are easy to find year-round.
• Gala Apples: a multipurpose apple with a mild flavor and medium texture. Another one that’s easy to find year-round. 
• Braeburn Apples: a bit citrusy in aroma and flavor; the taste and texture are a bit like a pear when baked, so maybe not the best apples for apple pie but, but still a good baking apple!

What about classic red apples? Classic red apples like the Red Delicious apples are a favorite for eating raw, but they are very soft and don’t hold up well when baked. Ain’t no one wants mushy apples in their apple pie!

If you’re not sure which type of apple to use, try making a homemade apple pie with a different kind of apple each time to pick your favorite!  

How to Make the Perfect Apple Pie

Let’s talk about how to make the best apple pie recipe ever. Because we’re using a store-bought crust, we’ve already saved ourselves a lot of work! However, if you’re feeling ambitious, you can always make your own homemade crust! I have a delicious buttery pie crust recipe you can use.

So, let’s break down how to make a semi-homemade apple pie. Even with a store-bought crust, that sweet and juicy filling is all the homemade flavor you need!

• Par-bake the bottom crust. This helps keep the bottom of the pie from getting soggy from the juicy apple filling.
• Peel and slice your apples. Cut them into small, uniform pieces so they bake equally, and you have a perfectly tender, crisp apple bite.
• Make the homemade apple pie filling. Combine the apples, sugar, lemon juice, spices, and flour together in a large bowl and stir until everything is well combined.
• Pour the apple mixture into the bottom crust, then set the pie aside for a moment.
• Prepare the top crust by using a fondant cutter or cookie cutter to cut shapes from the second pie crust. Set those shapes aside.
• Place the top pie crust (with the cutouts) over the filled pie dish. Then, place the pie dough cutouts across the top of the pie, just offset with the space from where they were cut.
• Brush the top of the pie crust with the egg wash (just beat one egg in a small bowl – if it’s too thick, you can thin it with a touch of water).
• Place the pie on a baking sheet (to catch any sticky overflow while baking) and bake the pie for 35 minutes at 375 degrees F.

There you have it, fam! Doesn’t that sound easy as pie?! Sorry, sorry… I couldn’t help myself 😉

Homemade Apple Pie FAQs and Pro-Tips

Ready for some Cousin Rosie tips and tricks for making the perfect apple pie? I gotchu covered with storage tips and tricks to make a pretty pie.

• Wrapping some aluminum foil around the outer edges of the pie will prevent the edges from burning during baking.
• Using a store-bought crust saves you time and the stress of making a flaky homemade pie crust. Besides, making crust is messy!
• Select the right kind of apple! While I often tell y’all to use what you have on hand, if you don’t have a flavorful or firm apple, your pie will be bland and soft. 
• Don’t stress about the design. It’s OK if your fondant-cut pie crust leaves aren’t perfectly cut or arranged, as they will be beautiful once baked.  
• Don’t skip the egg wash. It might not sound like much, but the wash makes that crust golden brown. 
• What’s the best way to serve a slice of apple pie? Serve it plain or top with whipped cream, cool whip, or caramel drizzle. Also, consider a scoop of vanilla, cinnamon, or butter pecan ice cream.  

What if I don’t have a fondant cutter?

If you don’t have a fondant cutter, use a flower or leaf cookie cutter, or any other medium-sized cookie cutter. Have fun with it! You can also use the full crust without cutting it into pieces, but I enjoy the decorative look of this design. If you use a full crust, be sure to prick holes in the top crust layer to allow the steam to rise. Or place a ceramic pie bird in the center. Feeling expert level? Make a lattice crust!

Can I make this homemade apple pie ahead of time?

Yes, you can! Pie is always best when served warm and fresh out of the oven, but if you are making your dessert in advance—bake it 2 to 4 days before. I personally think holiday pies are one of the easiest things to make ahead of time, relieving time and stress during any big holiday cooking!

How to Store Leftover Apple Pie

Unless there’s only a slice or two left, there’s no need to transfer your pie to a different container. If your pie dish doesn’t have a lid, place plastic wrap or aluminum foil over the top.  

• Countertop: if it’s not hot or humid in your kitchen, you can store your apple pie at room temperature for up to 2 days. Then, transfer it to the fridge for up to 2 days.
• Fridge: you can store your cooled apple pie for up to 4 days in your refrigerator.
• Freezer: let it cool for at least 4 hours, then double wrap it in aluminum foil and place it in the freezer. Freeze for up to 3 months. 
• Reheating: you can serve your pie cold, room temperature, or warm. Warm it in the microwave in 20-second intervals or place it in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes. If you reheat the entire pie, it will take 15 to 20 minutes in the oven. 

More Apple Desserts from I Heart Recipes

Fall is the perfect time for apple treats. Below are a few other apple desserts and sweet treat recipes that are perfect for the holidays. Try them all!

• World’s Best Apple Crisp
• Cinnamon Apple Monkey Bread
• Caramel Apple Pull Apart Bread
• Apple Cider Bundt Cake
• Mini Caramel Apple Crisps
• Caramel Apple Pie Taquitos

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