5 Best Waffle Recipes Crispy and Golden Brown

Close up on a plate of mashed potatoes, topped with baked pork chops with cream of mushroom soup, and a side of green beans.

Apple pie is a classic American dessert that's perfect for any occasion. These 5 recipes offer a variety of fillings and crusts. Enjoy a sweet and delicious apple pie that will satisfy your sweet tooth.

Introduction to the Timeless Appeal of Apple Pie

Let's face it, is there anything more American than apple pie? It's the dessert that conjures up images of cozy kitchens, family gatherings, and the sweet aroma of cinnamon and apples baking in the oven. But with so many apple pie recipes out there, how do you choose the best one? Don't worry, we've done the hard work for you! We've scoured the internet, tested countless recipes, and narrowed it down to the 5 best apple pie recipes that are guaranteed to impress. Get ready to indulge in a slice of pure comfort!

Recipe 1 Classic Apple Pie Recipe for Beginners

This recipe is perfect for those who are new to baking or just want a reliable, no-fuss apple pie. It uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, resulting in a perfectly balanced sweet and tart flavor. This is a great starting point for mastering the art of apple pie.

Ingredients for the Classic Apple Pie

  • **Crust:** 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes, ½ cup ice water
  • **Filling:** 6-7 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and sliced, ¾ cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces

Instructions for Baking the Classic Apple Pie

  1. **Make the Crust:** In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together. Divide the dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  2. **Prepare the Filling:** In a large bowl, combine apple slices, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Toss to coat.
  3. **Assemble the Pie:** On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a 9-inch pie plate. Trim and crimp the edges. Pour the apple filling into the pie crust. Dot with butter pieces.
  4. **Top Crust:** Roll out the second disk of dough and either place it over the filling, trimming and crimping the edges, or cut it into strips for a lattice top.
  5. **Bake:** Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350°F (175°C) and bake for another 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, cover the edges with foil.
  6. **Cool:** Let the pie cool completely before slicing and serving.

Recipe 2 Dutch Apple Pie with Streusel Topping Indulgence

This Dutch apple pie takes the classic recipe and adds a delightful streusel topping for extra crunch and sweetness. The streusel is made with flour, butter, sugar, and oats, creating a crumbly topping that complements the soft apple filling perfectly. If you love texture, this is the pie for you!

Ingredients for the Dutch Apple Pie

  • **Crust:** Same as Classic Apple Pie
  • **Filling:** Same as Classic Apple Pie
  • **Streusel Topping:** ½ cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup packed brown sugar, ½ cup rolled oats, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ cup (½ stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes

Instructions for Baking the Dutch Apple Pie

  1. **Make the Crust and Filling:** Follow the same instructions as the Classic Apple Pie.
  2. **Prepare the Streusel Topping:** In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, oats, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  3. **Assemble and Bake:** Pour the apple filling into the pie crust. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the filling. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the streusel is lightly browned.
  4. **Cool:** Let the pie cool completely before slicing and serving.

Recipe 3 Caramel Apple Pie Recipe Decadence

For a truly decadent treat, try this caramel apple pie. The filling is infused with rich caramel sauce, adding a layer of sweetness and complexity that takes this pie to the next level. This is perfect for those with a serious sweet tooth!

Ingredients for the Caramel Apple Pie

  • **Crust:** Same as Classic Apple Pie
  • **Filling:** 6-7 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and sliced, ¾ cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade), 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces

Instructions for Baking the Caramel Apple Pie

  1. **Make the Crust:** Follow the same instructions as the Classic Apple Pie.
  2. **Prepare the Filling:** In a large bowl, combine apple slices, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and caramel sauce. Toss to coat.
  3. **Assemble the Pie:** On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a 9-inch pie plate. Trim and crimp the edges. Pour the apple filling into the pie crust. Dot with butter pieces.
  4. **Top Crust:** Roll out the second disk of dough and either place it over the filling, trimming and crimp the edges, or cut it into strips for a lattice top.
  5. **Bake:** Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350°F (175°C) and bake for another 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, cover the edges with foil.
  6. **Cool:** Let the pie cool completely before slicing and serving.

Recipe 4 Healthy Apple Pie Recipe Guilt-Free

Want to enjoy apple pie without the guilt? This recipe uses whole wheat flour, less sugar, and applesauce to create a healthier version of this classic dessert. You'll still get the delicious flavor of apple pie, but with fewer calories and more nutrients. This is a great option for those watching their weight or looking for a healthier dessert.

Ingredients for the Healthy Apple Pie

  • **Crust:** 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes, ¼ cup ice water
  • **Filling:** 6-7 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and sliced, ½ cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ½ cup unsweetened applesauce, 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions for Baking the Healthy Apple Pie

  1. **Make the Crust:** In a large bowl, whisk together whole wheat flour and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together. Divide the dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  2. **Prepare the Filling:** In a large bowl, combine apple slices, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, applesauce, and lemon juice. Toss to coat.
  3. **Assemble the Pie:** On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a 9-inch pie plate. Trim and crimp the edges. Pour the apple filling into the pie crust.
  4. **Top Crust:** Roll out the second disk of dough and either place it over the filling, trimming and crimp the edges, or cut it into strips for a lattice top.
  5. **Bake:** Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350°F (175°C) and bake for another 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, cover the edges with foil.
  6. **Cool:** Let the pie cool completely before slicing and serving.

Recipe 5 Apple Pie with Bourbon Infused Spices Sophistication

Add a touch of sophistication to your apple pie with this bourbon-infused recipe. A splash of bourbon in the filling and a hint of bourbon in the crust create a warm and complex flavor that's perfect for a special occasion. This is a pie that will impress even the most discerning palate!

Ingredients for the Bourbon Apple Pie

  • **Crust:** Same as Classic Apple Pie, plus 1 tablespoon bourbon
  • **Filling:** 6-7 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and sliced, ¾ cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, 2 tablespoons bourbon, 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces

Instructions for Baking the Bourbon Apple Pie

  1. **Make the Crust:** In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water and bourbon, mixing until the dough just comes together. Divide the dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  2. **Prepare the Filling:** In a large bowl, combine apple slices, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and bourbon. Toss to coat.
  3. **Assemble the Pie:** On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a 9-inch pie plate. Trim and crimp the edges. Pour the apple filling into the pie crust. Dot with butter pieces.
  4. **Top Crust:** Roll out the second disk of dough and either place it over the filling, trimming and crimp the edges, or cut it into strips for a lattice top.
  5. **Bake:** Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350°F (175°C) and bake for another 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, cover the edges with foil.
  6. **Cool:** Let the pie cool completely before slicing and serving.

Essential Baking Tools for Apple Pie Success

Having the right tools can make all the difference when baking an apple pie. Here are a few essentials:

  • **Pie Plate:** A good quality 9-inch pie plate is crucial. Ceramic or glass pie plates distribute heat evenly. Consider the Pyrex Easy Grab Glass Pie Plate (around $10) for its durability and even baking.
  • **Pastry Blender:** This tool helps you cut cold butter into flour for a flaky crust. The OXO Good Grips Pastry Blender (around $15) is a popular choice.
  • **Rolling Pin:** A sturdy rolling pin is essential for rolling out the dough. The J.K. Adams Maple Rolling Pin (around $30) is a classic and reliable option.
  • **Apple Peeler Corer Slicer:** While not essential, this gadget can save you a lot of time and effort. The Starfrit Apple Peeler Corer Slicer (around $20) is a highly rated option.

Choosing the Best Apples for Your Apple Pie A Flavorful Guide

The type of apples you use can significantly impact the flavor and texture of your pie. Here's a quick guide:

  • **Granny Smith:** Tart and firm, they hold their shape well during baking.
  • **Honeycrisp:** Sweet and crisp, they add a lovely sweetness and texture.
  • **Fuji:** Sweet and juicy, they add a subtle sweetness.
  • **Braeburn:** Sweet and tart, they offer a balanced flavor.
  • **Gala:** Sweet and mild, they are a good all-purpose apple.

A mix of different apple varieties is often the best way to achieve a complex and balanced flavor.

Pre-Made Crust vs Homemade Crust Apple Pie Debate

Making your own pie crust from scratch can be rewarding, but it can also be time-consuming. Pre-made crusts are a convenient option for those who are short on time. Here's a comparison:

  • **Homemade Crust:** Offers the best flavor and texture, but requires more time and effort.
  • **Pre-Made Crust:** Convenient and saves time, but may not have the same flavor or texture as homemade. Brands like Pillsbury Pie Crusts (around $4 per box) are readily available and offer decent quality.

If you have the time and enjoy baking, homemade crust is the way to go. But if you're short on time, don't hesitate to use a pre-made crust.

Serving Suggestions and Accompaniments for Apple Pie

Apple pie is delicious on its own, but it's even better with the right accompaniments. Here are a few ideas:

  • **Vanilla Ice Cream:** A classic pairing that never fails.
  • **Caramel Sauce:** Drizzle over the pie for extra sweetness and flavor.
  • **Whipped Cream:** Adds a light and airy texture.
  • **Cheddar Cheese:** A surprisingly delicious combination that balances the sweetness of the pie.
  • **Hot Coffee or Tea:** Perfect for a cozy afternoon treat.

Storing Your Apple Pie for Freshness

To keep your apple pie fresh, store it properly:

  • **Room Temperature:** Cover loosely and store for up to 2 days.
  • **Refrigerator:** Cover tightly and store for up to 5 days.
  • **Freezer:** Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and store for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Troubleshooting Common Apple Pie Problems

Even experienced bakers can run into problems when making apple pie. Here are a few common issues and how to fix them:

  • **Soggy Crust:** Blind bake the crust before adding the filling, or use a lower rack in the oven.
  • **Burnt Crust:** Cover the edges with foil during the last 15-20 minutes of baking.
  • **Runny Filling:** Use a thickener like flour or cornstarch, and make sure the filling is cooked through.
  • **Crust Shrinking:** Chill the dough thoroughly before baking, and don't stretch the dough too much when placing it in the pie plate.

You’ll Also Love