Description
This Classic Baked Spiced Apple Pie features a flaky, buttery crust filled with a perfectly spiced apple mixture. Combining the tartness of Granny Smith and the sweetness of Honeycrisp apples with warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, this pie is a timeless dessert perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pie Crust
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and diced
- 6 to 8 tablespoons ice water
Apple Filling
- 6 to 8 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Egg Wash
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) to prepare it for the pie baking process.
- Prepare the pie dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Add the chilled diced butter and mix using a pastry blender until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Gradually stir in ice water, one tablespoon at a time, just until the dough forms. Divide the dough into two balls, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Make the apple filling: Toss the sliced apples with granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cornstarch, vanilla extract, and lemon juice in a large bowl until all slices are evenly coated with the spices and sugars.
- Roll out the bottom crust: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one ball of dough to fit a 9-inch pie pan. Transfer to the pan and trim any excess dough hanging over the edge.
- Add the filling: Spoon the spiced apple mixture evenly into the crust and dot the surface with small pieces of butter to add richness and moisture.
- Top crust: Roll out the second dough ball to cover the pie. Place it over the filling, then trim, seal, and crimp the edges together to ensure no leaks occur. Cut several small slits on top to allow steam to escape while baking.
- Apply egg wash: Whisk together the egg yolk and milk in a small bowl. Brush this mixture evenly over the top crust to give it a beautiful golden shine when baked.
- Bake the pie: Bake in the preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes. Bake until the apples are tender and the crust turns a golden brown color.
- Cool before serving: Let the pie cool in the pan on a wire rack to set the filling before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use a mix of tart Granny Smith and sweet Honeycrisp apples for balanced flavor and texture.
- Chilling the dough is essential for a flaky crust; don’t skip this step.
- Ensure to cut slits on the top crust to prevent the pie from bursting while baking.
- Let the pie cool completely to allow the filling to thicken properly before serving.
- For a glossy finish, you can add a sprinkle of coarse sugar on top of the egg wash before baking.
