There’s nothing quite like the taste of a homemade apple pie. The flaky, buttery crust encasing warm, spiced apples is a classic dessert that never goes out of style. This recipe offers a straightforward approach to creating this comforting treat, using a simple shortcrust pastry that comes together easily. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, you’ll be surprised at how simple it is to achieve bakery-worthy results at home.
Understanding the Ingredients
Before we dive into the steps, let’s explore the key ingredients and their roles in this recipe:
Step-by-Step Guide: Baking the Perfect Apple Pie
Now that we’re familiar with the ingredients, let’s get baking!
Preparing the Shortcrust Pastry:
1. Whisk the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
2. Cut in the Butter: Using a pastry cutter, a fork, or your fingertips, cut the cold butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs, with some pea-sized butter pieces remaining.
3. Incorporate the Water: Gradually add ice water, a tablespoon at a time, and mix with a fork until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten and result in a tough crust.
4. Form the Dough Discs: Gently gather the dough into a ball. Divide it in half and flatten each half into a disc shape. Wrap the discs in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
Preparing the Apple Filling:
1. Peel and Slice the Apples: Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. You can use a food processor with a slicing attachment to expedite this process.
2. Combine Filling Ingredients: In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with granulated sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg (if using).
Assembling and Baking the Pie:
1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a pie dish with parchment paper.
2. Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough into a circle slightly larger than your pie dish.
3. Transfer Dough to Dish: Carefully drape the dough over the pie dish, gently pressing it into the bottom and sides. Trim any excess dough around the rim.
4. Fill with Apples: Add the apple filling to the prepared crust.
5. Roll Out Top Crust (Optional): Repeat steps 2 and 3 to roll out the second disc of dough for a double-crust pie. Cut vent holes in the top crust using a knife or a fork to allow steam to escape during baking.
Optional Egg Wash: Brush the top crust with egg wash for a golden brown finish.
6. Bake: Bake the pie for 50-60 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. If the edges of the crust start to brown too quickly, cover them with aluminum foil.
