By Becky Hardin
Published Sep 13, 2023
This homemade apple pie recipe is so cozy and homey! When my sister-in-law taught me her recipe for this delicious apple pie, she created a family tradition that we have made for years and years. Fresh, warm, and made from scratch (with homemade crust!), it’s the ideal dessert. This easy apple pie recipe makes it simple to bake a fresh pie for any occasion.
My sister-in-law, Anna, makes such good pies, and she was gracious enough to share her family’s apple pie recipe with me! With this homemade apple pie filling and pie crust, we’ve got one seriously fresh and delicious pie ready for the fall season. I can’t believe how easy it is, either!
What’s in This Homemade Apple Pie Recipe?
- Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the pie. You can swap some or all of the granulated sugar for brown sugar for a richer, more caramel-like taste
- Flour: All-purpose flour helps thicken up the filling so the pie doesn’t turn out watery. I like to use flour because it has a creamier, more natural mouthfeel. Cornstarch is a great thickener, but it tends to have a gel-like texture that more closely resembles canned pie filling.
- Cinnamon: Adds warmth and a touch of spice to the pie. You can use store-bought apple pie spice for a bit more flavor.
- Apples: Choose whichever apples you prefer! Granny Smith apples are the best and most reliable to use in baking. They are naturally tart and sweet, which is perfect for baking! Other varieties that work well are Gala (what I used here), Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, or Jonagold.
- Pie Crusts : All you need to make a homemade pie crust is flour, salt, shortening, and a bit of water. Just mix the ingredients together to make the dough, roll it out, then mold it into the pie dish.
- Butter: Unsalted butter adds moisture, flavor, and richness to the filling.
Tips for Success
- I recommend making this homemade apple pie recipe as written, then experimenting to make it your own. Go apple picking, find a few different apples you love, and get baking! This is a great recipe to make with kids and teach them a love for baking.
- You can leave the skin on the apples if you prefer. This is especially nice looking if you use red apples.
- There’s no need to cook the apples before adding them to this pie, but you certainly can if you like a more caramelized flavor.
- I usually make it even easier by using store-bought pie crusts to save time.
- I don’t blind-bake this pie because I find it unnecessary for this particular recipe. The flour does a good job of thickening the filling and absorbing excess moisture as it cooks, so I didn’t find that I needed any extra protection. If you do find your filling to be very wet or liquidy, you can blind-bake the bottom pie crust before adding the filling.
- If your pie always turns out watery, it may be time to turn your attention to the top crust. This crust helps seal in moisture, but it can also cause too much moisture to be retained, leading to watery filling. Make sure to cut some vent slits into your top crust before baking to help the steam escape.
How to Store and Reheat
You can store this homemade apple pie covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil at room temperature for up to 2 days because it doesn’t contain any cream or eggs in the filling. Be sure to refrigerate it after 2 days, though!
It will keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying cold, at room temperature, or sometimes gently warmed in the microwave.
Serving Suggestions
I like to serve this homemade apple pie with a scoop of vanilla or pumpkin pie cream and a dollop of whipped cream (or try my pumpkin spice whipped cream !). For a sweet-and-savory take, Pat likes to melt a slice of cheddar cheese on top!
5-Star Review
“Enjoyed the way my kitchen smelled after baking this, and loved eating it even more! Delish!” – Beth Pierce
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 cup granulated sugar 200 grams
- ▢ 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 15 grams
- ▢ 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3 grams
- ▢ 6-8 apples peeled and sliced
- ▢ 2 homemade pie crusts (click for recipe!)
- ▢ 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 28 grams, cubed (¼ stick)
Video
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Combine the sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a large bowl until well-mixed. 1 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Add the apples, tossing until well coated (I used about 6 apples for my pie plate and only about ¾ of the sugar mixture). 6-8 apples
- Line a pie pan with one of the pie crusts. Pour the sugar-coated apples into the pie pan. Dot with cubes of butter. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 homemade pie crusts
- Place the second crust on top of apples and butter and seal. Cut a few slits for steam to escape on top layer of crust.
- Spread a small amount of milk on top of the pastry (I use a fork; when I use a spoon the pastry gets soggy), then sprinkle the pie with leftover sugar. This will give the pie a warm and brown look on top.
- Bake for 50 minutes. I would put a cookie sheet a rack lower in the oven in case juices overflow your pie plate.
- Let pie cool, then slice and serve.
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Pie Pan
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Apple Pie Step by Step
Mix the Cinnamon-Sugar: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Combine 1 cup of granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon in a large bowl until well mixed.
Coat the Apples: Add 6-8 peeled and sliced apples, tossing until well coated (I used about 6 apples for my pie plate and only about ¾ of the sugar mixture).
Fill the Pie Crust: Line a pie pan with 1 of 2 homemade pie crusts. Pour the sugar-coated apples into the pie pan. Dot with 2 tablespoons of cubed unsalted butter.
Top the Pie: Place the second crust on top of apples and butter and seal. Cut a few slits for steam to escape on the top layer of crust.
Sprinkle with Sugar: Spread a small amount of milk on top of the pastry (I use a fork; when I use a spoon the pastry gets soggy), then sprinkle the pie with some leftover sugar. This will give the pie a warm and brown look on top.
Bake and Serve: Bake for 50 minutes. I would put a cookie sheet on a rack lower in the oven in case juices overflow your pie plate. Let the pie cool, then slice and serve.
More Pie Recipes to Try!
Strawberry Jello Pie
Lemon Meringue Pie (Make Ahead!)
Copycat McDonald’s Strawberry Cream Pie
Caramel Pie
Apple Pie Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Pie Pan
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar 200 grams
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 15 grams
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3 grams
- 6-8 apples peeled and sliced
- 2 homemade pie crusts (click for recipe!)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 28 grams, cubed (¼ stick)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Combine the sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a large bowl until well-mixed. 1 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Add the apples, tossing until well coated (I used about 6 apples for my pie plate and only about ¾ of the sugar mixture). 6-8 apples
- Line a pie pan with one of the pie crusts. Pour the sugar-coated apples into the pie pan. Dot with cubes of butter. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 homemade pie crusts
- Place the second crust on top of apples and butter and seal. Cut a few slits for steam to escape on top layer of crust.
- Spread a small amount of milk on top of the pastry (I use a fork; when I use a spoon the pastry gets soggy), then sprinkle the pie with leftover sugar. This will give the pie a warm and brown look on top.
- Bake for 50 minutes. I would put a cookie sheet a rack lower in the oven in case juices overflow your pie plate.
- Let pie cool, then slice and serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
