Few desserts can evoke the sense of home, warmth, and nostalgia like a freshly baked apple pie. With its flaky, buttery crust and sweet, cinnamon-spiced apple filling, this classic dessert is beloved by many across the globe. Whether you’re baking it for a holiday gathering, a family dinner, or simply because you’re in the mood for something sweet, Best Apple Pie is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that never goes out of style.

What makes this apple pie stand out from the rest is its combination of tender, juicy apples, perfectly spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of lemon zest to brighten up the flavors. The buttery crust holds it all together and offers the perfect contrast to the sweet and slightly tart filling. This recipe strikes a perfect balance between flavor and texture, ensuring each slice is pure apple pie heaven.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔️ Classic Flavor – The combination of spiced apples and buttery, flaky crust is timeless and universally loved.
✔️ Perfect Balance – This recipe achieves the ideal mix of sweetness and tartness, allowing the natural flavors of the apples to shine.
✔️ Flaky, Buttery Crust – The pie’s crust is made with butter and a touch of shortening for an extra-flaky texture that contrasts perfectly with the filling.
✔️ Versatile – Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.
✔️ Crowd-Pleasing – Apple pie is always a hit at any gathering, from family dinners to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

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Ingredients (Serves 8)

For the Pie Crust (makes enough for top and bottom crust):

• 240g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 170g (¾ cup) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 2 tablespoon vegetable shortening, cold (optional, for extra flakiness)
• 6-8 tablespoon ice water

For the Apple Filling:

• 1.5 kg (about 6-7 medium apples), peeled, cored, and sliced (a mix of tart and sweet apples like Granny Smith and Fuji works best)
• 150g (¾ cup) granulated sugar
• 50g (¼ cup) light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour (to thicken the filling)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cubed

For Assembly:

• 1 egg (for egg wash)
• 1 tablespoon milk (for egg wash)
• Extra sugar (for sprinkling on top)

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Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pie Crust

1. Combine the dry ingredients – In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt.
2. Cut in the butter and shortening – Add the cold cubed butter and shortening (if using) to the flour. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter.
3. Add ice water – Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently with a fork until the dough starts to come together.
4. Form the dough – Divide the dough into two equal portions. Shape each portion into a flat disc. Wrap each disc in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before using. This helps the dough firm up and makes it easier to roll out.

Step 2: Make the Apple Filling

1. Prepare the apples – Peel, core, and slice the apples into thin slices.
2. Mix the filling – In a large bowl, combine the apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Toss the mixture until the apples are evenly coated.
3. Let the filling sit – Let the apple mixture sit for about 15-20 minutes to allow the juices to release. This helps to ensure the filling is properly mixed and not too watery.

Step 3: Roll Out the Pie Crust

1. Roll the bottom crust – On a lightly floured surface, roll one disc of dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie dish, pressing it gently into the bottom and up the sides.
2. Fill the crust – Spoon the apple filling into the prepared pie crust, mounding the apples slightly in the center. Dot the filling with small cubes of butter for added richness.

Step 4: Add the Top Crust

1. Roll the top crust – Roll the second disc of dough into a 12-inch circle. Lay it over the apple filling.
2. Trim and crimp – Trim any excess dough hanging over the edges, leaving about a 1-inch overhang. Fold the edges of the dough underneath and crimp them together to form a decorative edge.
3. Cut vents – Using a sharp knife, cut a few slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape while baking.

Step 5: Bake the Pie

1. Make the egg wash – In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk. Brush the egg wash over the top crust to give the pie a golden, shiny finish.
2. Sprinkle with sugar – Lightly sprinkle extra sugar over the top of the pie for a sweet, crunchy finish.
3. Bake – Place the pie on a baking sheet (to catch any drips) and bake in a preheated 425°F (220°C) oven for 45-50 minutes. The crust should be golden brown and the apple filling bubbling.
4. Check for doneness – If the crust is browning too quickly, cover the edges with foil to prevent burning. The pie is done when the apples are tender and the filling is thickened.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

1. Let the pie cool for at least 2 hours before slicing. This allows the filling to set and ensures cleaner slices.
2. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or enjoy it plain!

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Nutritional Information (Per Serving, Based on 8 Servings)

• Calories: ~320 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Protein: 2g
• Fat: 15g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Sugar: 28g

(Nutritional values may vary depending on ingredients used and portion size.)

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Tips & Tricks for the Best Apple Pie

✔️ Use a Variety of Apples – For the best flavor and texture, use a mix of tart and sweet apples. Granny Smith provides tartness, while Fuji or Honeycrisp add sweetness.
✔️ Chill the Dough – Chilling the dough before rolling it out prevents it from shrinking and ensures a flaky, tender crust.
✔️ Don’t Overfill – While it’s tempting to pile the apples high, make sure the filling is even and not too heaping. This helps prevent the juices from overflowing during baking.
✔️ Brush with Egg Wash – The egg wash creates a beautifully golden, shiny crust. Don’t skip it!
✔️ Let It Cool – Allow the pie to cool completely before slicing. This lets the filling set and prevents it from being too runny.

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Why This is the Best Apple Pie

🥧 Timeless Flavor – With its perfect balance of sweet and tart apples, cinnamon, and a buttery crust, this pie is the ultimate comfort dessert.
🍎 Perfectly Spiced – The addition of cinnamon and nutmeg enhances the flavor of the apples, making each bite perfectly spiced.
🎉 Always a Crowd-Pleaser – Whether you’re hosting a family gathering or a holiday dinner, this pie is sure to be a hit.
💚 Customizable – Feel free to add a splash of vanilla, a handful of raisins, or some chopped nuts to the filling for extra texture and flavor.