How to make the Classic American Apple Pie

  How to make the Classic American Apple Pie

Ingredients:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes

6-8 tablespoons ice water

6-7 medium-sized apples (a mix of tart and sweet varieties), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced

½ cup granulated sugar

¼ cup packed brown sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 tablespoon butter, cut into small pieces

1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Additional granulated sugar (for sprinkling)

Instructions:

Prepare the Pie Crust:

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.

Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to cut it into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.

Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, and mix it in with a fork until the dough starts to come together.

Divide the dough into two equal portions, shape them into discs, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Prepare the Apple Filling:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch. Mix well until the apples are evenly coated.

Roll Out the Pie Crust:

On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of the chilled pie crust into a circle slightly larger than your pie dish.

Carefully transfer the rolled-out crust to the pie dish, gently pressing it into the bottom and sides. Trim any excess dough from the edges.

Add the Apple Filling:

Pour the prepared apple filling into the pie crust, distributing it evenly.

Dot the top of the filling with small pieces of butter.

Roll Out the Top Crust:

Roll out the second disc of chilled pie crust into a circle.

You can either place the whole crust on top of the filling, cutting slits to allow steam to escape, or create a lattice crust by cutting the dough into strips and weaving them over the filling.

Seal and Crimp the Edges:

If using a whole top crust, gently press the edges of the bottom and top crusts together, then crimp the edges with your fingers or a fork to seal them.

If using a lattice crust, trim the excess dough from the edges and fold the bottom crust over the lattice strips. Crimp the edges to seal.

Brush with Egg Wash and Sprinkle with Sugar:

Lightly brush the top crust with beaten egg, which will give it a shiny golden finish.

Sprinkle some granulated sugar over the top crust for added sweetness and texture.

Bake the Pie:

Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any drips and bake it in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.

If the crust starts to darken too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil.

Cool and Serve:

Once baked, remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before serving. This allows the filling to set.

Serve the Classic American Apple Pie warm or at room temperature, and enjoy it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Now you're ready to savor the delicious flavors of a homemade Classic American Apple Pie. Happy baking!