Often the best things are simple and classic. This apple pie has been perfected from much practice and is the BEST APPLE PIE EVER!
I try to embrace balance in my life.
Which is why I think following up a post telling you to try sautéed greens (you may like them!), with one sharing a recipe for the best apple pie ever makes perfect sense. Because while I do love my greens, not much can beat an apple pie fresh out of the oven with a big scoop of real vanilla ice cream on the side.
In the past several years, I have become quite the prolific pie maker. I have a few favorite pies, but apple pie is by far the one that is served warm in my kitchen most often. For one simple reason.
Apple pie is my father-in-law’s favorite dessert.
Now, you may think pretty highly of your father-in-law, so I’m sorry if I rain on anyone’s parade here, but I have to tell you, I have the best father-in-law. It’s true. No contest really, so don’t even try to convince me otherwise.
Materially speaking, my father-in-law (from now on referred to as Jim) is an incredible carpenter. The man has skills and he has generously bestowed them on our home a number of times. I tell him what I want and he makes it happen. He’s like the magic genie of woodworking.
He says he likes the challenge of making things once (no, he doesn’t want to go into business) and I won’t deny I like the end results finding themselves in my home.
He first made us a beautiful changing table when I was pregnant with our first child. It’s beautiful and once it’s been used for four sweet babies, it will easily convert to a small dresser. My boys also use the awesome tool bench he built for them every single day. Once it held my son’s tools; now it holds LEGOS and provides a great building spot in their room.
My absolute favorite pieces Jim has built are found in our kitchen and dining room. Jim made my culinary and hospitality dreams come true when he gifted me with a five-foot butcher block top kitchen island, and also a nine-foot farmhouse dining table and bench.
I use these beauties everyday and if making Jim an apple pie every time he came to dinner would show my appreciation enough, I would happily roll out dough and slice apples weekly.
I knew you’d be curious, so I went around a snapped pics of Jim’s handiwork this morning.
But, as incredible as handmade gifts are, what really makes my father-in-law so wonderful is the depth of his kindness and love for his family. A man of few words, no one could ever doubt how much he cares for his family and the extent he would go to take care of those he loves. My family is blessed by knowing him and seeing him often.
Anytime we are feeling especially thankful for Jim, we know just what to do. Bake him an apple pie.
So, over the last several years, I’ve made more apple pies than I can recall. Sometimes I change things up a little when making the pies. Homemade dulce de leche drizzled on the apples. A rustic tart with the top crust left off. A new recipe just to see how it compares.
But the best pies are the classic ones. Flaky, perfect pie dough. Sweet and spiced apple filling. No complicated twists, but an amazingly simple and delicious apple pie.
Because gala apples are the family favorite snacking apples around here, they are the apples we use in our pies as well. Keep it simple, remember?
Of course, you can use packaged pie dough to make your pie. But if you want the best pie, you need to try to make your own. Once you see how easy it is to throw together pie dough, you will only be making pies and empanadas and pop-tarts with your own homemade dough.
One final note. This little apple peeler/slicer/corer is an invaluable gem for making apple pie (and anything else that uses sliced apples). This tool turns a multi-step process into an easy ten minute task. You can order one from Amazon (Amazon Prime is my love language) or pick one up from Target next time you’re there coping with the stresses of life.
Best Classic Apple Pie (Ever)
PrintBest Classic Apple Pie (Ever)
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
Description
Often the best things are simple and classic. This apple pie has been perfected from much practice and is the BEST APPLE PIE EVER!
Ingredients
- 6 medium gala apples, peeled and sliced thin
- 3 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 C brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp flour
- 1 Tbsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 2 Tbsp butter
- pie dough for a double pie
Instructions
1. Make the pie dough and place in refrigerator to chill (at least 30 minutes).
2. Preheat oven to 400°.
3. Remove the pie dough from chilling in the fridge. Set on the counter to warm up slightly. Prepare the apples by peeling, coring, and slicing them in thin slices. Transfer to medium mixing bowl.
4. Add the brown sugar, spices, flour, and lemon juice to the apples. Stir to combine. Set aside while you roll out the pie dough.
5. Roll out one of the two portions of pie dough on a floured surface. Roll it out in a circle, slightly bigger than your pie dish. Using your rolling pin, transfer the pie dough to the bottom of the pie dish. Let the extra pie dough overhang slightly over the edges of the dish.
Add the apple mixture to the pie dish. Lay six thin slices of butter on top of the apples.
7. Roll out the second portion of pie dough on a floured surface. Cut the pie dough into 1″ strips and lay them across the top of the apples. Press together the pie scraps and roll them out again. Cut more 1″ strips and weave them through the first layer of strips, creating a lattice look on the pie.
Trim the overhanging pie down to 1/2″. Fold up the extra dough around the perimeter of the pie, pinching the bottom and top layers together to create a rim around the pie.
(Optional) Use the extra scraps of dough to cut apples or another design to place on the center of the pie.
Sprinkle a teaspoon of granulated sugar across the top of the pie.
8. Bake the pie in preheated oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, loosely lay a piece of foil over the top of the pie and bake for 10-15 more minutes, until the top is golden.
9. Remove the pie from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
What is your favorite kind of pie?
How do you like to treat special members in your family?
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Kim VanOsdell says
Lisa,
I watched your video last night on making apple pie for the 4th of July and oh my goodness I was then hankering for apple pie! You made it look so easy! So today my little guy and I made a trip to the store and got the ingredients! It really is that easy to make! Thank you for that! We are so excited to try it later for dessert! Yeah, we are not waiting until the 4th! Thanks again !