Homestyle Grandma's Apple Pie: A Sweet Memory (Print Version)

Grandmas Apple Pie: The ultimate comfort dessert. Bake this classic recipe with sweet apples, warm spices, and a golden, flaky crust. Pure nostalgia!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 40 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 50 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 90 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ For the Crust

01 - 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
02 - 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, very cold and cut into ½-inch cubes
03 - ½ cup ice water, plus more if needed
04 - 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
05 - ½ teaspoon salt

→ For the Apple Filling

06 - 6-7 medium Granny Smith apples (about 3 lbs), peeled, cored, and sliced ¼-inch thick
07 - ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
08 - ¼ cup granulated sugar
09 - ¼ cup all-purpose flour
10 - 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
11 - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
12 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

→ Finishing Touches

13 - 1 large egg, whisked with 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)

# Instructions:

01 - Okay, first things first, let's get that crust ready for your Grandma's Apple Pie. In a big bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Now, cut your *super cold* butter into small cubes and quickly work them into the flour mixture using a pastry blender or your fingertips. You want pea-sized pieces of butter, not a smooth dough! I always get nervous at this stage, thinking I'm messing it up, but trust me, those little butter bits are key for flakiness.
02 - Gradually add the ice water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until the dough just comes together. Don't overmix; we're aiming for tender, not tough. I usually start with four tablespoons and add more only if it's really dry. You'll see it transform, almost like magic, from crumbly to a cohesive ball. Divide the dough in half, flatten each into a disc, wrap 'em up, and pop them in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This "beauty sleep" is essential!
03 - While your dough is chilling, let's get those apples ready for your Grandma's Apple Pie. Peel, core, and slice your Granny Smiths into about 1/4-inch thick pieces. In a large bowl, gently toss the apple slices with both sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Give it a good, gentle mix until all the apples are coated. The smell, oh my gosh, it just fills the kitchen with pure autumn vibes! This step always makes me so excited for the final product.
04 - Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Grab one disc of chilled dough and on a lightly floured surface, roll it out into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer it to your 9-inch pie dish. Trim any excess, leaving about a 1/2-inch overhang. Now, pour that glorious apple filling into the crust, mounding it slightly in the center. I always make sure to get all those delicious juices in there too!
05 - Roll out the second dough disc. You can either place it directly over the filling, cut vents, or get fancy with a lattice top – that's what Grandma always did for her apple pie! Once the top crust is on, trim the edges, leaving about an inch of overhang. Crimp the edges together using your fingers or a fork. Honestly, my crimps are never perfect, but that's part of the homemade charm, right?
06 - Brush the top crust with the egg wash. This gives it that beautiful, golden sheen. Place the pie on a baking sheet (to catch any drips – trust me, you'll thank me later!) and bake for 15 minutes at 425°F (220°C). Then, reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and continue baking for another 35-45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. Let your Grandma's Apple Pie cool for a good hour before slicing; it needs to set!

# Notes:

01 - Don't overwork your pie dough; a light hand makes for a flaky crust.
02 - The pie filling can be prepped a day ahead and stored in the fridge.
03 - If you're out of Granny Smiths, a mix of Honeycrisp and Braeburn works well for a balanced tartness.
04 - A dollop of vanilla bean ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce takes this pie to another level.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Large mixing bowls
02 - rolling pin
03 - 9-inch pie dish
04 - small saucepan
05 - apple peeler/corer
06 - whisk
07 - pastry brush

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 450
Total Fat: 25g
Total Carbohydrate: 55g
Protein: 4g

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