Classic Homemade Apple Pie is filled with two types of apples, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg in a flaky pie crust. Baked in a traditional pie plate or a cast iron skillet this is BEST apple pie recipe with homemade pie crust.
Homemade apple pie is simple to make. With this classic apple pie recipe there’s no need to precook apples or make apple pie filling. This is my mom’s old-fashioned apple pie recipe, straight from our farm kitchen! For this recipe I cooked this apple pie in a cast iron skillet. You can also bake homemade apple pie in a Pyrex pie plate.
One of the most popular baking apple is Granny Smith for it’s tart and tangy flavor and firmness. We add a splash of sweetness and texture by mixing Granny Smith apples with either Macoun or Macintosh apples. Check out Bob’s Red Mill website for their guide on the best apples for apple pie.
HOW TO MAKE CLASSIC APPLE PIE:
Step 1: Place the apple pieces into a large bowl and coat with lemon juice, tossing with your hands or a large spoon. Set aside.
Step 2: On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the bottom crust. Spray a 10 or 12-inch cast iron skillet with cooking spray or lightly coat with canola oil, using a clean paper towel. Place the rolled out crust in the bottom. Gently press into the pan lightly, using your fingers. Use kitchen sheers to trim the edges of the crust, to about 1/2-inch past the pan rim.
Step 3: Use a slotted spoon to scoop the apples into the pan. Discard the remaining lemon juice. Sprinkle with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and instant tapioca.
How to Thicken Apple Pie Filling:
I use instant tapioca to thicken most of my pie filings. This thickens pie fillings without giving you any taste or unwanted texture. You can also use tapioca flour or cornstarch.
Step 4: Roll out the top crust. Cut strips, using a small pizza cutter or pastry cutter. Place strips of pie crust all going one direction over the prepared pie. Pull back every other strip and place another strip of pie crust, going the opposite direction. Gently place the pie strips you pulled back, back into place. Repeat until you have completely covered the pie.
Step 5: Trim the edges of pie crust with kitchen sheers and roll under the crust. Crimp with your fingers or press with a fork. Brush with an egg wash and sprinkle with granulated sugar.
Step 6: Place in a preheated 400 degree F oven for 1 hour. When the crust is browned nicely, about half way or three quarters through baking, cover with a piece of aluminum foil. Slice a hole in the center of aluminum foil using a knife or kitchen shears. This will let the steam escape, allowing the pie to continue cooking and while not burning the crust. Use a sharp knife to check the softness of the apples. Let cool for at least an hour before slicing.
Traditionally, we always baked apple pies or any sort of pie in a glass pie dish. But, over the last few years, I’ve found that there’s nothing quite like baking a homemade pie in cast iron. The bottom crust and filling cooks perfectly. No soggy bottom crust, ever. If you’re looking for a great cast iron pan to bake a pie in, you’ll find a great selection on Amazon! I’m loving their 2-handle pans! (The 17-inch one is great for homemade pizza and the 12-inch or 10.25-inch are great for pies and everything else!)
Always keep your pie dough cold. Place it back into the fridge if needed. This keeps the fat particles cold and make the pie dough flaky. Don’t overwork your pie crust! This is essential!
Sometimes I just use a simple crust and use a sharp knife to cut air vents in the top. Other times, I love a simple lattice crust. Just take a small pizza cutter or pastry cutter to cut strips of pastry dough. Then weave them back and forth. Tuck under the ends and crimp the edges with your finger or press down with a fork. Brush with an egg wash and bake for a little over an hour. My mom always liked the apples to be slightly soft, so that’s the way we prefer our pie. If you like your apples a little more firm, you can bake for less time. Let the pie cool before slicing, so your filling can set.
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1cupgranulated sugaradjust based on how tart your apples are
3-4tablespoonslemon juice
4tablespoonsinstant tapioca
2teaspoonsground cinnamon
1/2teaspoonground nutmeg
pie crusteither homemade or store bought
Instructions
Apple Pie
Place the apple pieces into a large bowl and coat with lemon juice, tossing with your hands or a large spoon. Set aside.
On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the bottom crust. Spray a 10 or 12-inch cast iron skillet with cooking spray or lightly coat with canola oil, using a clean paper towel. Place the rolled out crust in the bottom. Gently press into the pan lightly, using your fingers. Use kitchen sheers to trim the edges of the crust, to about 1/2-inch past the pan rim.
Use a slotted spoon to scoop the apples into the pan. Discard the remaining lemon juice. Sprinkle with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and instant tapioca.
Roll out the top crust. Cut strips, using a small pizza cutter or pastry cutter. Place strips of pie crust all going one direction over the prepared pie. Pull back every other strip and place another strip of pie crust, going the opposite direction. Gently place the pie strips you pulled back, back into place. Repeat until you have completely covered the pie.
Trim the edges of pie crust with kitchen sheers and roll under the crust. Crimp with your fingers or press with a fork. Brush with an egg wash and sprinkle with granulated sugar.
Place in a preheated 400 degree F oven for 1 hour. When the crust is browned nicely, about half way or three quarters through baking, cover with a piece of aluminum foil. Slice a hole in the center of aluminum foil using a knife or kitchen shears. This will let the steam escape, allowing the pie to continue cooking and while not burning the crust. Use a sharp knife to check the softness of the apples. Let cool for at least an hour before slicing. This will allow the pie filling to set. Enjoy with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream.
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I can’t believe I’ve never attempted to make apple pie. You make it look scrumptious…and I need the reminder that I can always use store bought crust. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I love that you cook in the sugarhouse. I grew up on a farm with a summer kitchen that we cooked in, which I so miss that atmosphere of farm cooking. I pinned this for later. Baking in cast iron is the way to go.
I have everything to make this except tapioca. I wonder if it would still turn out or if I should wait until I go shopping. Apple pie is my favorite pie. I make them every which way but I’ve never made them like this before.
Terri,
You could probably sprinkle a little flour over the apples before baking. I would toss them with a little flour. But tapioca is the best. Just thickens the apples so they are not runny.
LOL @ Dad expecting dessert! Those old habits die hard … and don’t go down without a fight! I also love that you used a cast iron skillet to bake your pie in!
Can’t live w/o my cast iron!
Ooh, I love apple pie! This one looks super delicious, I shouldn’t have come across the post at night time. Hungry now.. 😀 In any case, thanks for sharing!
Wow, that looks awesome! I am so not a baker, so even this looks intimidating to me, but you make it look so lovely I might just have to try anyways! 😀
Amanda,
It’s how our grandmother’s and great grandmother’s used to cook. The cast iron actually makes the bottom pie crust stay firm and prevents it from being soggy.
I can’t believe I’ve never attempted to make apple pie. You make it look scrumptious…and I need the reminder that I can always use store bought crust. Thanks for sharing 🙂
That is an amazing pie!! Simple and beautiful!
Ain’t nothing like the homemade classics!! I love a good old Apple Pie. Always a big treat in our house. This looks delish Yum!
I am totally with you on serving bread and dessert with dinner. I’m glad someone else agrees! 🙂
I love that you cook in the sugarhouse. I grew up on a farm with a summer kitchen that we cooked in, which I so miss that atmosphere of farm cooking. I pinned this for later. Baking in cast iron is the way to go.
oH MY gOSH!! I can’t wait to try your apple pie! I loove apple pies and blueberry pies. Thank you so much
I have everything to make this except tapioca. I wonder if it would still turn out or if I should wait until I go shopping. Apple pie is my favorite pie. I make them every which way but I’ve never made them like this before.
Terri,
You could probably sprinkle a little flour over the apples before baking. I would toss them with a little flour. But tapioca is the best. Just thickens the apples so they are not runny.
Just love your recipes,It”s good to see that beautiful cast iron great pics Girl !!
LOL @ Dad expecting dessert! Those old habits die hard … and don’t go down without a fight! I also love that you used a cast iron skillet to bake your pie in!
Can’t live w/o my cast iron!
I’m not much of a baker but seeing this Apple pie makes me want to bake!
I haven’t tried doing apple pie before. I think it’s high time to try my hands on this since my kiddos love apple.
Ooh, I love apple pie! This one looks super delicious, I shouldn’t have come across the post at night time. Hungry now.. 😀 In any case, thanks for sharing!
Wow, that looks awesome! I am so not a baker, so even this looks intimidating to me, but you make it look so lovely I might just have to try anyways! 😀
Amy,
For anyone that’s not a baker, an apple pie is the perfect start. Use store bought crust if you’re worried about making it from scratch!
Your apple pie makes me hungry! it looks YUMMY <3
I’ve never cooked a pie in a cast iron dish. Never thought of it actually. But that makes sense. That pie looks amazing btw!
Amanda,
It’s how our grandmother’s and great grandmother’s used to cook. The cast iron actually makes the bottom pie crust stay firm and prevents it from being soggy.
This is another great recipe from you. I will bake this for my kids too. Thank you.
This recipe looks delightful! I do not bake much but I am willing to give this a shot. Apple pie is America’s favorite, and also my hubby‘s. ☺️
Nothing beats a good ole apple pie. Look tasty! Would love to try this one someday.
This looks like absolute heaven! Warm it and top with just a bit of vanilla bean ice cream… MMmmmm…
Looks delicious! Love that to add tapioca to thicken the apples. Yummy!
It’s my favorite pie, I should try your recipe
Thank you for sharing
OMG you’re making me hungry. I had no idea about keeping the dough cold! Thank you
Let me prepare a cup of coffee for this one, hehe. That looks scrumptious! I can have this any time of the day, thanks for the recipe.