With a mountain of gooey cinnamon apples nestled under a perfectly buttery and flaky pie crust, this is most certainly my favorite apple pie recipe. To bring out the best apple flavor and texture, pre-cook the filling for about 5 minutes on the stove. Bake and cool the pie, and then top with vanilla ice cream for the ultimate homestyle dessert.
I’m a published cookbook author, and I bake as a profession. So you can imagine I’m often asked about my *favorite* dessert. And, without hesitation, my answer is ALWAYS homemade pie.
In particular, apple pie. Below you’ll find my favorite pie… and baking recipe… on the planet. It’s my #1 choice out of all the Thanksgiving pies, but I certainly don’t limit it to the fall season. I’ve been making this recipe for years, and after testing multiple different fillings, spices, apple varieties, and other little tweaks, I consider the recipe below to be my very best apple pie.
Baking the apple slices first. It’s the magic key to a crispy base, superior flavour and perfectly-cooked-and-never-mushy filling. It’s also how you get a generous amount of pie filling without the dreaded giant empty cavity under the lid.
Here’s Why You’ll Love This Apple Pie, Too
- Classic recipe, without any complicated ingredients
- Golden flaky double pie crust provides a crisp contrast to the soft and juicy filling
- Caramelized filling peeking through the lattice
- Deliciously sweet, cinnamon-spiced filling
- Tall slices with oodles of tender apples that aren’t overly mushy
- Comforting, nostalgia-filled flavor
- Completely out-of-this-world with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top
This pie is deep-dish style, but you don’t need a super special pie dish to get started. Any 1.5- to 2-inch-deep pie dish works here. You’ll simply pile those apple slices nice and high!
How Do I Know When Apple Pie Is Done?
A visual cue is helpful when determining the pie’s doneness. If the crust is golden, and the filling is bubbling around the edges, the apple pie is done. If you want to be precise, the internal temperature of the filling taken with an instant read thermometer should be around 200°F (93°C) when done.
Cool the pie: The longer you let apple pie cool, the more the filling will set. I recommend cooling for at least 3 full hours before slicing and serving. I know, it’s nearly impossible to wait!
Why you should cook apples before making apple pie.
FAQ
Should you cook apples before baking?
Why are my apples mushy in my pie?
Can I leave the skin on apples for pie?
Can you pre cut apples for apple pie?