This is my ultimate go-to apple pie recipe, the epitome of apple pie perfection. Fresh apples harmonize with sweet sugar and spices, all embraced by a luxurious, buttery crust. And the best part? It’s a breeze to make, with no unnecessary complications.

Everyone needs a good apple pie recipe, especially with the holidays around the corner. Whether you want to serve this as a treat at the next family gathering or are just craving a classic apple pie, this recipe is for you!

apple pie made easy

The best apples for apple pie

There are many varieties of apples out there, but here are a few that should be readily available to you and make for great pie apples.

  • Granny Smith: Known for their tartness and firm texture, Granny Smith apples hold up well during baking. Their acidity balances the sweetness of the pie filling.
  • Honeycrisp: Honeycrisp apples offer a wonderful blend of sweet and tart flavors, and their crispness adds a delightful crunch to your pie.
  • Cortland: Cortland apples have a rich, complex flavor and hold their shape nicely when baked. They provide a pleasing balance of sweetness and tart.
  • Jonagold: Jonagold apples are a hybrid of Jonathan and Golden Delicious apples, offering a well-balanced flavor profile with a crisp texture that softens beautifully when baked.
  • Fuji: Fuji apples are sweet and crisp, making them a great choice for those who prefer a sweeter apple pie. They hold their shape and add a pleasant sweetness to the filling.

Which pie crust do I use?

A good apple pie begins with the perfect pie crust. I recommend using my sourdough pie crust recipe, but any homemade or store-bought pie crust will do.

If you do end up using store-bought pie crust, I suggest following the baking instructions on the package.

sourdough pie crust

How to make apple pie

Ingredients & Equipment

  • 6-7 cups of peeled and sliced apples
  • 3/4 cup of sugar
  • 1 tablespoon of flour
  • 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon of salt
  • 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter cut into cubes
  • 1 egg and 1 teaspoon of water for the eggwash

You will need:

  • 1 9-inch pie plate
  • mixing bowl
  • rolling pin
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • pie shield or aluminum foil

Instructions for apple pie made easy

  • Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and place the rack in the center of the oven.
  • Pull out the pie crust you plan to use and let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
  • Peel, core, and slice your apples thinly and place them into a large mixing bowl.
  • Add the sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon, and salt and toss until combined.
  • On a liberally floured surface roll out the pie crust into a 12-inch circle that is 1/8 inch thick.
  • Place the pie crust on the bottom of the dish and press it gently down to fit the dish. Cut any additional crust off that may hang over the dish.
  • Poke a few holes in the bottom of the crust using a fork. Then, spoon the apple filling into the pie and spread it around evenly.
  • Place the cubed butter on top of the filling.
apple pie made easy
  • On a liberally floured surface roll out the second pie crust into a 12-inch circle that is 1/8 inch thick.
  • Place the pie crust over the top of the filling and trim off any excess pie crust.
  • Then, crimp the bottom and top pie crust edges together either by using a fork or your fingers until they are both sealed together all the way around.
  • Whisk together the egg and water and brush the pie with the egg wash. Use a sharp knife to cut at least 4 vents in the crust.
  • To avoid the edges of the pie from browning too much place your pie shield around the pie. Alternatively, you can cut a 38-inch strip of aluminum foil and wrap it around the edges of the pie.
  • Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any drippings and bake the pie for 25 minutes with the pie shield then reduce the temperature to 375 degrees and bake for 30-35 minutes more without the pie shield. Periodically check the edges for burning.
  • You know the pie is done once you see that it is golden brown and bubbling.
Apple Pie Made Easy
 - sourdough pie crust

Storing apple pie

  • Allow the pie to fully cool before slicing and serving, this can take anywhere from 2-4 hours.
  • Apple pie stores well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, covered.
apple pie made easy

More dessert recipes to try:

apple pie made easy
5.0 from 5 votes

Apple Pie Made Easy

Discover the joy of homemade apple pie made easy with this step-by-step recipe. Enjoy the perfect blend of fresh apples and a flaky crust in no time!

Prep Time 35 mins
Cook Time 55 mins
Course: Dessert
Servings: 1 9-inch pie

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Calories: 296 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9-inch pie plate
  • Mixing bowl
  • Rolling Pin
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • pie shield or aluminum foil

Ingredients

  • 6-7 cups of peeled and sliced apples
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (cut into cubes)
  • 1 egg and 1 teaspoon of water (for the egg wash)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and place the rack in the center of the oven.
  2. Pull out the pie crust you plan to use and let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
  3. Peel, core, and slice your apples thinly and place them into a large mixing bowl.
  4. Add the sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon, and salt and toss until combined.
  5. On a liberally floured surface roll out the pie crust into a 12-inch circle that is 1/8 inch thick.
  6. Place the pie crust on the bottom of the dish and press it gently down to fit the dish. Cut any additional crust off that may hang over the dish.
  7. Spoon the apple filling into the pie and spread it around evenly.
  8. Place the cubed butter on top of the filling.
  9. On a liberally floured surface roll out the second pie crust into a 12-inch circle that is 1/8 inch thick.
  10. Place the pie crust over the top of the filling and trim off any excess pie crust.
  11. Then, crimp the bottom and top pie crust edges together either by using a fork or your fingers until they are both sealed together all the way around.
  12. Whisk together the egg and water and brush the pie with the egg wash. Use a sharp knife to cut at least 4 vents in the crust.
  13. To avoid the edges of the pie from browning too much place your pie shield around the pie. Alternatively, you can cut a 38-inch strip of aluminum foil and wrap it around the edges of the pie.
  14. Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any drippings and bake the pie for 25 minutes with the pie shield then reduce the temperature to 375 degrees and bake for 30-35 minutes more without the pie shield. Periodically check the edges for burning.
  15. You know the pie is done once you see that it is a golden brown and bubbling.
  16. Allow the pie to fully cool before slicing and serving, this can take anywhere from 2-4 hours.
  17. Apple pie stores well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, covered.

Notes

If using store-bought crust, it is best to follow the baking instructions on the package. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1 slice | Calories: 296 kcal | Carbohydrates: 43 g | Fat: 14 g | Sodium: 251 mg |

Nutritional information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation only.

apple pie made easy