Discover how to make a timeless homemade apple pie with a flaky crust and flavorful filling. This easy step-by-step recipe guides you through preparing the perfect crust, assembling, and baking for a delicious dessert. Ideal for holidays or weekend treats, it can be customized with different fillings and toppings to suit your taste. With attention to detail and quality ingredients, you can create a bakery-worthy pie right in your own kitchen, impressing family and friends each time.

Nothing beats the taste of a freshly baked apple pie prepared at home. This simple yet versatile recipe allows you to customize with chocolates, nuts, or fresh fruits for a personal touch. Achieving a flaky, tender crust is crucial, and with attention to detail, you'll craft a perfect pie every time. Follow this step-by-step guide to create a traditional apple pie from scratch, guaranteed to impress family and friends with its delicious flavor and appealing texture.

Creating the Perfect Pie Crust

A buttery, flaky crust is easy to achieve with patience and precision. Using quality ingredients and careful techniques results in a melt-in-your-mouth texture and golden appearance.

Use this detailed recipe with exact measurements to prepare the ideal crust—rich, light, and crispy. Incorporate cold butter to ensure flakiness, and add sour cream to maintain moisture and tenderness, avoiding gluten overdevelopment during mixing.

Dough Components:

1 cup chilled butter

½ cup sour cream

1 cup all-purpose flour

¾ cup sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

Preparation Steps:

Dice cold butter into small pieces.

Blend butter into flour until the mixture appears crumbly.

Add salt and sugar, then gently knead the mixture.

Mix in sour cream and knead until smooth.

Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for 1–2 days for best results. This dough works well for various pies, including pumpkin, berry, or chocolate.

Apple Filling:

6 thinly sliced, peeled apples

1 tablespoon lemon juice or apple vinegar

2 tablespoons flour

¾ cup sugar

¾ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

Gently combine all filling ingredients and set aside.

Assembling the Pie

Allow the dough to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes.

Roll out two dough circles approximately 13 inches in diameter—larger than your baking dish.

Grease your baking dish and lay down one crust, trimming excess edges.

Spread the apple filling evenly over the crust.

Place the second crust on top, sealing the edges securely with a fork or pinching.

Cut small slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape, then set aside.

Baking the Pie

Preheat oven to 425°F.

Bake the pie for 20 minutes, then cover the crust edges with foil to prevent overbrowning.

Reduce oven temperature to 400°F and continue baking for another 15–20 minutes until the filling bubbles and crust turns golden brown.

Let the pie cool for 1–2 hours before serving.

Serve slices with whipped cream, ice cream, or toppings like cinnamon, cherries, or chocolate shavings. Using chilled butter and precise techniques guarantees a flaky, delicious crust. Perfect for holidays, weekends, or any special occasion, this adaptable recipe can be customized with various fillings for endless variations.