🍒 What Readers Are Saying About This Pie!

“Thank you so much for this recipe! I’ve only made two pies in my entire life – one a canned cherry pie – and my wife asked me to make another. I stumbled upon your recipe and decided to give it a try. It was, without a doubt, the best pie I have ever tasted! You truly made me look like an award winner.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Hands down, the best apple pie I’ve ever eaten! Absolutely phenomenal. “⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I have baked countless apple pies over the years, but this recipe stands out as the absolute best I’ve ever attempted. I adored it from the first bite! “⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

As a seasoned baker and cook, my journey has been filled with countless pies and numerous recipe contest victories over the two decades since that initial win. While I’m proud of all my award-winning recipes, that very first apple pie triumph remains uniquely special and undeniably the sweetest. It wasn’t merely the joy of a first-time win; it was the judges who made it truly unforgettable.

This particular contest featured a truly discerning panel: the residents of the seniors’ facility. This generation grew up in an era when home baking from scratch was the norm, meaning they possessed an intimate understanding of what a truly exceptional homemade apple pie should taste like. Their discerning palates made their selection of my pie an immense honor, a validation that truly meant the world to me. Their approval, from individuals who inherently understood the art of baking, confirmed that this apple pie recipe was indeed something extraordinary.

Essential Tips for Baking an Award-Winning Apple Pie

Achieving a truly remarkable apple pie involves a few key techniques. When I have the luxury of time, I consistently turn to my cherished No-Fail Pie Crust recipe for all my pie creations. This particular crust recipe is simply the best because, as its name suggests, it’s virtually impossible to mess up! Passed down from my Grandma, this cold-water pastry recipe is one of the most invaluable gifts I’ve ever received. Even if you’re a complete novice baker, you’ll find it incredibly forgiving and easy to work with. Beyond its ease, it boasts a wonderfully delicious flavor and freezes exceptionally well, making it perfect for preparing ahead of time.

• Achieve a Beautiful Golden Crust: For that perfect shiny, golden-brown finish, generously brush your top crust with milk, cream, or whipping cream (liquid) before baking. Then, sprinkle it lightly with granulated sugar or sparkling sugar. I often opt for whipping cream instead of the more traditional egg wash, and the results are consistently stunning and delicious.
• Ensure a Perfectly Cooked Filling by Sealing: Properly sealing the edges of your pie crust is crucial. This step creates a closed environment within the pie, allowing the filling to cook thoroughly and evenly. A tight seal also prevents any delicious juices from bubbling out during baking, keeping your oven cleaner and your pie moist.
• Vent for Flaky Perfection: Don’t forget to create at least three rows of decorative slits (often triangles or other shapes) on the top crust of your pie. This crucial step, known as venting, allows steam to escape from the apple filling as it bakes. Venting not only contributes to a visually appealing pie but, more importantly, prevents the crust from becoming soggy and ensures that the flavorful filling remains perfectly sealed inside.
• Uniform Slices for Even Cooking: The key to evenly cooked, tender-but-not-mushy apples in your pie is to slice them into uniform, thin wedges. If the slices are too thick, they won’t soften adequately within the baking time, resulting in an inconsistent texture. Aim for approximately ¼-inch-thick slices. This thickness ensures they cook quickly enough to become tender without dissolving into mush.

🥘 Key Ingredients for Apple Pie Perfection

The true secret behind this Award-winning Apple Pie lies in a carefully crafted blend of ingredients: the vibrant lemon zest, the luxurious whipped cream, and the rich butter in the filling, all harmoniously combined with both brown and white granulated sugar. This combination creates a depth of flavor and a luscious texture that sets it apart.

Baking a delectable apple pie from scratch is far simpler than you might imagine. For this classic, old-fashioned apple pie, you’ll need just a few high-quality components:

• Green Granny Smith Apples: These are my absolute go-to for apple pie. Granny Smith apples are renowned for holding their shape exceptionally well during baking, preventing a mushy filling. Their characteristic tartness also provides the perfect counterpoint to the sweetness of the sugars, creating a balanced flavor profile that makes them the best apples for pie.
• White Sugar, Brown Sugar, and Cinnamon: This trio forms the iconic flavor foundation of any great apple pie filling. The white granulated sugar provides straightforward sweetness, while brown sugar contributes a deeper, molasses-rich flavor that adds complexity. Cinnamon, of course, infuses that quintessential warm, aromatic spice.
• All-Purpose Flour: A small amount of all-purpose flour is essential for thickening the apple filling. It helps to bind the juices released from the apples, preventing a watery pie and ensuring a beautifully set, spoonable consistency.
• Unsalted Butter: Butter does more than just add incredible flavor; it’s a critical component for texture. It contributes to the filling’s richness and helps it achieve that desirable creamy, smooth consistency. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of your pie.
• Lemon Zest: This ingredient is a game-changer! Lemon zest introduces a bright, zesty “zing” that brilliantly cuts through the sweetness of the apples and cream, balancing the flavors and elevating the pie to another level. It highlights the apple flavor without making the pie taste lemony.
• Whipped Cream: Beyond its role as a topping, incorporating whipped cream directly into the filling is what makes this apple pie extraordinarily creamy and smooth. It melts into the apples as they bake, adding a delicate richness that is truly indulgent.

While you can certainly use a good quality store-bought pie crust, I highly recommend trying my No-Fail Pie Crust recipe (a cold-water crust). It’s incredibly easy to make and yields an irresistibly flaky and tender pastry that perfectly complements the rich apple filling.

🔪 Crafting Your Award-Winning Apple Pie: Step-by-Step Guide

One of the best features of this recipe? There is absolutely NO PRE-COOKING of the apple filling required! This saves you time and simplifies the process, ensuring perfectly crisp-tender apples every time.

PREP: Begin by lightly coating a 9-inch pie dish with nonstick spray, ensuring every surface is covered for easy release. Carefully settle your chosen pie shell into the dish, trimming any excess edges to achieve a neat fit, especially if you’re working with homemade pastry.

Next, meticulously core and peel your apples, then slice them thinly and uniformly, aiming for roughly ¼-inch thick slices. In a large mixing bowl, combine the white and brown sugars, flour, and cinnamon. Add the thinly sliced apples to this dry mixture and toss gently until all the apple slices are evenly coated. This ensures every bite is infused with flavor.

Carefully spread the prepared apple mixture into the unbaked bottom pastry shell, mounding it slightly in the center.

Now, prepare your butter. You can cut the butter into small pieces using a pastry cutter or a knife, or, for an easier and less messy approach, grate it directly from frozen (a trick I highly recommend – see expert tips below!). While you can grate refrigerated cold butter, it tends to be a bit stickier.

Dot the apple mixture generously with these small pieces of butter, distributing them evenly. Then, sprinkle the vibrant lemon zest over the entire filling. These additions are key to the pie’s rich flavor and creamy texture.

Gently dot the apple filling with generous dollops of whipped cream. These will melt into the pie as it bakes, creating an incredibly creamy and smooth texture that truly elevates the flavor.

Carefully place the second pie crust (your top crust) over the apple filling. To ensure a tight and secure seal, moisten the rim of the bottom crust lightly with a little water before gently laying the top crust over it. Press the edges together firmly with your fingers, then use the tines of a fork to create a decorative crimped edge and further secure the seal all the way around the pie.

To allow steam to escape during baking and prevent a soggy bottom crust, use a sharp knife to create three rows of slits (I like making triangles) on the top of the pie. A common pattern is three slits in the outside rows and two in the middle, but feel free to get creative with your venting design.

For a beautiful golden sheen, generously brush the entire top crust with a liquid such as cream, milk, or extra whipping cream. Finish by sprinkling a light layer of granulated sugar over the brushed crust. (As you can see in this photo, I used whipping cream for that extra touch of richness, which works wonderfully as an alternative to a typical egg wash).

⏲️ Baking Perfection: Optimal Baking Time & Temperatures

Preheat your oven to a hot 450 degrees F (232 degrees C). Place the prepared pie into the preheated oven and bake for an initial 10 minutes. This high initial temperature helps to set the crust quickly and encourages flakiness. After 10 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F (176 degrees C) and continue baking for an additional 20 to 30 minutes. The pie is fully baked when the apples are tender (easily pierced with a fork) and the crust has achieved a beautiful, rich golden-brown color. Once baked, transfer the pie to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving. Cooling is essential for the filling to fully set.

Garnish: This classic apple pie recipe is a delight on its own, but it truly shines when served with your favorite accompaniments. A scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon, or a drizzle of warm caramel sauce are all fantastic choices. Feel free to customize to your heart’s desire!

Expert Tips for Your Best Apple Pie Yet

Here are a couple of tried-and-true tricks to help you achieve apple pie perfection, straight from my kitchen to yours:

• The Frozen Butter Grating Trick: One of my absolute favorite “tricks” for both pie fillings and pastry is to keep your butter in the freezer. When you need it, simply grate the frozen butter directly into the pie filling or into your flour mixture for pastry. This method is incredibly efficient, creating tiny, even pieces of butter that distribute beautifully and melt slowly, contributing to an incredibly flaky crust and a rich filling. It’s significantly easier and less messy than cutting butter with a pastry blender or knife, saving you time and effort.
• Preventing Over-Browning: If you notice your pie crust browning too quickly during the baking process, especially before the apples have had a chance to fully cook and soften, don’t fret! You can easily remedy this by using a pie shield (an invaluable tool for bakers!) or by simply tenting the pie with aluminum foil. If using foil, you can lightly spray the underside with non-stick spray to prevent sticking and then gently place it over the pie. This will protect the edges from burning while allowing the filling to continue cooking. *Note: I’ve personally found that with this specific recipe, I rarely need to use either method, but it’s a good trick to have in your baking arsenal!

🌡️ Storage Guidelines for Your Delicious Apple Pie

To enjoy your homemade award-winning apple pie for days, proper storage is key. For any leftover slices, simply place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator, where they will remain fresh and delicious for up to 4 days.

If you’re looking to prepare ahead or save some for later, this pie also freezes beautifully! You can bake the pie completely, let it cool, and then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before placing it in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag. Stored this way, it will maintain its quality in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat gently in the oven until warmed through.

👪 Adjusting the Serving Size to Your Needs

This classic apple pie recipe is designed to serve 8 generous slices, making it perfect for family gatherings or a small dinner party. However, I understand that sometimes you might need more or less! You can easily adjust the recipe by clicking on the serving number within the recipe card and selecting your desired number of servings. The ingredient quantities will automatically scale up or down, making it incredibly convenient. Just remember, if you’re doubling or tripling the recipe, you will need to use additional pie plates to accommodate the larger volume of ingredients.

The initial burst of high heat (450°F / 232°C) is a critical step for achieving a perfect pie crust. This high temperature rapidly melts the fat within the pie dough, generating a significant amount of steam. This steam is what creates those desirable flaky layers in your crust. After this initial phase, reducing the oven temperature to 350°F (176°C) allows the pie to continue baking gently and thoroughly, ensuring the apples cook through without the risk of the crust burning or becoming overly dark.

Preventing a soggy crust, especially in a double-crust fruit pie like this Deluxe Apple Pie, is paramount. The most effective method is to ensure adequate venting. By creating slits, triangles, or other openings on the top crust, you provide a clear escape route for the steam generated by the cooking apple filling. If this steam were trapped, it would condense and settle back onto the bottom crust, inevitably leading to a soggy texture. Proper venting allows the steam to dissipate, preserving the crispness and flakiness of both your top and bottom crusts.

Judging an award-winning apple pie involves evaluating several crucial elements. The crust should be melt-in-your-mouth tender and flaky, never greasy or tough. Its color should be a beautiful golden brown, indicating perfect baking. The filling is equally important: it should possess a smooth, cohesive texture, free from any grit or chalkiness. The apples themselves should be uniformly distributed throughout the filling, and ideally, they should be tender yet retain a slight firmness, offering a satisfying bite without being overly crisp or completely mushy. Finally, the flavor profile should strike a harmonious balance between tartness and sweetness, with a clear, authentic apple taste complemented by warm spices.

Leave Your Comments & ⭐ Ratings!

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