Easy Apple Pie

Ingredients

• 2 9-inch pie crusts (One for the bottom and one for the top; homemade or store-bought. Homemade dough needs at least 1 hour to chill before rolling.)
• 7 Granny Smith apples (Large; peeled, cored, and sliced into 1/2-inch slices)
• 0.5 cup Granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup Light brown sugar (Loosely packed)
• 2 tbsp All-purpose flour
• 1 tsp Ground cinnamon
• 0.125 tsp Ground nutmeg
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice
• Lemon zest (Zest of half a lemon)
• 1 Egg (Large; lightly beaten in a small bowl for egg wash)
• 2 tbsp Sanding sugar (Optional)

Steps

1. 1

   Prepare a flaky pie crust recipe that makes two 9-inch crusts, one for the bottom and one for the top. Chill the dough for at least 1 hour before rolling, or use store-bought crust and follow its package directions.

2. 2

   Place an oven rack in the center position and preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C).

3. 3

   In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Toss until the apples are evenly coated.

4. 4

   Remove the chilled pie dough from the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for 5–10 minutes. On a lightly floured surface, roll one disc into a 12-inch circle about 1/8 inch thick. Carefully place it in the bottom of a deep-dish pie plate.

5. 5

   Spoon the apple filling over the bottom crust, leaving the juices behind in the bowl and discarding them.

6. 6

   Roll the second dough disc until it is 1/8 inch thick, then lay it over the apple filling.

7. 7

   Trim the dough along the outside edge of the pie plate. Lift the joined edges, press gently to seal, and fold them under. Rotate the plate and repeat until the edges are neatly tucked under themselves.

8. 8

   Cut 4 slits in the top crust to let steam escape, then place the pie on a baking sheet.

9. 9

   Brush the top crust with the beaten egg wash and sprinkle with sanding sugar. Cover the crust edges with a pie shield or a strip of foil to prevent over-browning during the first 25 minutes.

10. 10

    Bake at 400°F (204°C) for 25 minutes. Carefully remove the pie shield, lower the oven temperature to 375°F, and bake for another 30–35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the juices are bubbly.

11. 11

    Cool the pie at room temperature for at least 3 hours before serving.

Notes

The source says Granny Smith apples are especially suitable because they are tart and firm and hold their shape. It also notes that apples do not need to be cooked before filling the pie. To freeze a baked pie, cool completely, freeze uncovered until solid, then wrap tightly; it keeps frozen for up to 4 months. The structured data lists 60 minutes of prep, 60 minutes of cooking, and 120 minutes total; the cooling and dough-chilling times are additional stated waits.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• baked
• apple
• holiday
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas