There’s something about fall that brings out all my favorite kitchen rituals.
Slowly simmered applesauce, warm apple crisps, and, of course, a classic homemade apple pie!
This is the one recipe I come back to year after year.
The crust is tender and flaky, the filling is perfectly balanced, and the smell alone makes the whole house feel cozy.
It’s the kind of pie that doesn’t need anything extra to impress!
Apple Pie – What You Need
- All-purpose flour: Gives your crust structure without making it tough.
- Salt: Just enough to balance the richness of the butter.
- Sugar: A small amount to add subtle sweetness.
- Cold unsalted butter: The secret to that tender, flaky texture.
- Apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or both): A good balance of tart and sweet keeps the flavor interesting.
- Ground cinnamon: Brings cozy, familiar spice to every bite.
- Ground nutmeg: Adds warmth and depth without stealing the spotlight.
- Ground cloves (optional): A tiny hint of something extra.
How to Make a Simple Apple Pie Dough
If you’re short on time or just not in the mood to fuss, there’s no shame in picking up a store-bought pie crust!
It’ll still taste delicious and save you a solid chunk of effort.
But if you’re up for making it yourself, here’s how to get that buttery, flaky goodness from scratch:
Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar.
Step 2: Add cold butter and cut it in using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
Step 3: Slowly add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing just until the dough holds together—don’t overwork it.
Step 4: Divide the dough into two discs, wrap each in plastic wrap, and chill for at least an hour before rolling out.
Step 5: On a floured surface, roll out one disc into a circle a little larger than your pie dish.
Step 6: Gently transfer the dough into a 9-inch pie tin, pressing it in without stretching. Trim the overhang if needed.
Step 7: Pour in your apple filling and dot the top with small cubes of butter before adding the top crust.
Homemade Apple Pie Recipe
There’s nothing complicated here, just a flaky, golden crust and a spiced apple filling that tastes like fall in every bite.
Even if you make your own crust, this recipe keeps things super simple!
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 6–8 tbsp ice water
For the Filling:
- 6–7 cups thinly sliced apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix)
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ⅛ tsp ground cloves (optional)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp cold butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and sugar. Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Add ice water one tablespoon at a time, mixing just until the dough holds together.
- Chill the Dough: Divide dough into two equal discs, wrap each in plastic, and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
- Prep the Apples: In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves (if using), and lemon juice. Let sit for 10–15 minutes while you roll out the dough.
- Roll and Fill: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough and fit it into a 9-inch pie dish. Pour in the apple filling and dot with cold butter.
- Top the Pie: Roll out the second dough disc and place it over the filling. Trim excess, crimp edges, and cut a few small vents on top. Or go with a lattice if you’re feeling extra.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the pie on a baking sheet (to catch drips) and bake for 20 minutes. Lower heat to 375°F (190°C) and bake another 35–40 minutes, until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling.
- Cool: Let the pie cool for at least 2 hours before slicing so the filling can set.
An Apple Pie Worth Making Every Fall!
There’s something deeply satisfying about pulling a homemade apple pie out of the oven, especially when you know exactly what went into it!
This one has golden crust, cozy spices, and just the right amount of sweetness.
You can make the dough from scratch or take a shortcut with store-bought crust.
Either way, the end result is still a slice of fall comfort you’ll want to come back to.
Best Apple Pie
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 cup 2 sticks cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 6 –8 tbsp ice water
For the Filling:
- 6 –7 cups thinly sliced apples Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ⅛ tsp ground cloves optional
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp cold butter cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and sugar. Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Add ice water one tablespoon at a time, mixing just until the dough holds together.
- Chill the Dough: Divide dough into two equal discs, wrap each in plastic, and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
- Prep the Apples: In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves (if using), and lemon juice. Let sit for 10–15 minutes while you roll out the dough.
- Roll and Fill: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough and fit it into a 9-inch pie dish. Pour in the apple filling and dot with cold butter.
- Top the Pie: Roll out the second dough disc and place it over the filling. Trim excess, crimp edges, and cut a few small vents on top. Or go with a lattice if you’re feeling extra.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the pie on a baking sheet (to catch drips) and bake for 20 minutes. Lower heat to 375°F (190°C) and bake another 35–40 minutes, until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling.
- Cool: Let the pie cool for at least 2 hours before slicing so the filling can set.
