Baking: Classic Apple Pie Recipe with a Flaky Crust

Few desserts say “home” like a warm, golden apple pie fresh out of the oven. With its spiced apple filling and buttery, flaky crust, it’s the kind of timeless treat that brings people together—whether for a holiday feast or a simple weekend indulgence.

In this post, you’ll learn how to make a classic apple pie from scratch, complete with a foolproof flaky crust and a perfectly balanced filling.

🍎 Ingredients

For the Crust (Makes a double crust):

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
• 6–8 tbsp ice water

For the Apple Filling:

• 6–7 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled and sliced
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour or cornstarch (for thickening)
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter (for dotting)
• 1 egg + 1 tbsp milk (for egg wash)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Make the Pie Dough

1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and sugar.
2. Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Add ice water one tablespoon at a time, mixing just until the dough holds together.
4. Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Step 2: Prepare the Apple Filling

1. In a large bowl, combine sliced apples, sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, lemon juice, and flour.
2. Toss well and let sit for 15 minutes to release juices.

Step 3: Assemble the Pie

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Roll out one dough disc and fit into a 9-inch pie dish.
3. Add the apple filling and dot with butter.
4. Roll out the second disc and place it over the filling. Trim, seal, and crimp the edges.
5. Cut slits in the top crust for steam to escape or create a lattice if you prefer.
6. Brush the top with egg wash for a golden finish.

Step 4: Bake

1. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes.
2. Reduce heat to 375°F (190°C) and bake for another 30–35 minutes, until crust is golden and filling is bubbly.
3. If edges brown too fast, cover with foil.
4. Let cool for at least 2 hours before slicing.

🍽️ Serving Tips

Serve warm with:

• A scoop of vanilla ice cream
• A dollop of whipped cream
• A drizzle of caramel sauce (optional)

📝 Tips for Success

• Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for depth of flavor.
• Keep butter and water cold for the flakiest crust.
• Don’t skip the chill time for the dough—it’s key for structure.
• Let pie rest before slicing to allow filling to set properly.

🧠 Final Thoughts

There’s a reason apple pie is a classic—it’s comforting, delicious, and satisfying to bake. With this tried-and-true recipe, you’ll master the art of the flaky crust and juicy filling in no time.

Bake it once, and it might just become your signature dessert.