Traditional Apple Pie Recipe

There’s nothing like this classic apple pie recipe. Just saying the words “homemade” and “freshly baked” conjures up thoughts of a steaming apple pie filling inside a buttery flaky crust that’s sure to be a hit.

Apple Pie Ingredients

What Apples Are Best For Apple Pie?

It is up to your personal preference which apple you use for this recipe. We recommend a combination of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp as it has the best balance of sweet and tart flavors. You can also use Pink Lady as another great choice.

What Apples Should Not Be Used For Apple Pie?

Gala, Fuji, and Red Delicious apples won’t hold up in the oven, resulting in a mushy pie.

Traditional Apple Pie Substitutions And Additions

APPLES: I like to use a combination of apples for the most flavorful apple pie. Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are my go-to choices year-round, as they can readily be found in grocery stores.

However, if you are in an area that has apple orchards, I highly suggest going to your local orchards and speaking with them to get other great options for baking apples. There are so many choices that would be delicious from the orchards that you just can not find in grocery stores.

CRUST: I always keep ready-made pie crusts in my refrigerator for ease of use and convenience. You can substitute your favorite homemade pie crust recipe if you prefer. Make sure your recipe yields two 9-inch crusts.

APPLE PIE SPICE: There are lots of great apple pie spice blends readily available in the spice aisle of your grocery store. You can substitute the spice blend for 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon allspice in the recipe.

CORNSTARCH: Tapioca starch/flour is a great alternative to use as a thickener for the juices in your apple pie. You will just want to follow the package instructions for use with the amount of liquid that your apples gave off after their 1-hour rest.

How To Make Lattice Apple Pie

STEP ONE: Peel, core, and slice the Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples into ¼-inch slices. Cut those slices in half so you have smaller, bite-size pieces of apples. Place the apples into a large mixing bowl.

STEP TWO: Add the light brown sugar, granulated sugar, apple pie spice blend, salt, and lemon juice to the apple slices. Stir to evenly coat all the apple slices in the sugar and spices. Set aside for 1 hour to allow the juices to come out of the apples.

STEP THREE: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place a 9-inch pie plate on top of a parchment-lined rimmed baking tray. This will make sure that any juices that may bubble out from your pie do not spill into your oven and create a mess.

STEP FOUR: While your oven is preheating, thaw and unroll both your pie crusts according to the package instructions.

STEP FIVE: Place one of the unrolled pie crusts into the pie plate.

STEP SIX: Using a slotted spoon, transfer the apples into the pie crust. Spread them out into an even layer. Do not pack them in tight.

STEP SEVEN: Add the cornstarch to the bowl with the remaining juices and whisk to create a slurry. You do not want any lumps of cornstarch remaining. Pour the slurry evenly over the apples in the pie pan.

STEP EIGHT: Randomly place the little pieces of unsalted butter cubes over the top of the apples.

STEP NINE: Using a sharp paring knife, cut 1½-inch strips from the second unrolled pie crust. You will create a lattice topping and crimp the edges of the crust to seal. 

STEP TEN: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to create an egg wash. Using a pastry brush, brush the egg wash over the lattice-topped apple pie.

STEP ELEVEN: Sprinkle the coarse sanding sugar over the top of the lattice crust. The egg wash will help keep the sanding sugar adhered to the crust. This is an optional step, but it does create a beautiful crust with a great little crunch to it.

STEP TWELVE: Bake for 30 minutes. At this point, you may want to tent your apple pie with aluminum foil to prevent your crust from over-browning. Bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes.

STEP THIRTEEN: Allow your apple pie to cool completely before slicing and serving.

How Long To Bake An Apple Pie?

An apple pie will take between 45 and 50 minutes to bake.

How To Serve This Recipe For Apple Pie

Apple pie is such a classic recipe, so if you choose to, you can keep it simple and traditional. But if you want to get a bit creative, there are loads of different ways to serve up your apple pie!

Of course, we have to mention vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. These are especially delicious over a warm, freshly baked apple pie.

You can also sprinkle a bit of extra cinnamon over the top, and it’s like you have your very own cinnamon roll apple pie! Another way we like to serve this apple pie recipe is with caramel sauce. Who doesn’t love caramel?

Finally, we must mention putting cheese on your apple pie. Many love this option. Most people prefer a slice of cheddar cheese melted over the top. You can also serve a cheese wedge on the side for a nice complement.

Don’t miss our apple crisp and apple pie bites too. Both are delectable apple recipes that you will love.

How To Store Apple Pie

ON THE COUNTER: Store leftovers on the counter for 2 to 3 days. The longer it sits, the soggier the crust will get, so you do not want to make this apple pie more than 24 hours ahead of time for best serving results.

IN THE FRIDGE: Your apple pie can also be stored in the fridge for up to four days.

IN THE FREEZER: You can most definitely freeze this perfect apple pie. To do so, make sure you use aluminum or plastic wrap. You could also use a heavy-duty freezer bag. It’s recommended to use the pie within 3 to 4 months after storing it.

Can You Freeze Apple Pie?

This classic apple pie recipe can be frozen well covered for up to four months.

Does Apple Pie Need To Be Refrigerated?

Apple pie will be fine on the counter for 2 to 3 days. For longer storage, you can keep it in the fridge for up to four days.

How Long Does Apple Pie Last?

Apple pie will last for 2 to 3 days on the counter.

This Is The Best Recipe For Apple Pie

All in all, you can’t go wrong with this homemade apple pie recipe. As someone who loves baking, this is a recipe that I must have in my recipe book. I love that this is so easy to put together and tastes amazing with its buttery crust and tender apples.