If you’ve been searching for how to make a classic American apple pie with a buttery, flaky crust and perfectly spiced apple filling, you’ve just found your forever recipe.
This pie has the golden-brown top, juicy cinnamon apples, and sweet aroma that instantly makes your kitchen smell like home.Growing up in Pennsylvania, apple pie wasn’t just dessert — it was a family tradition.
My grandmother baked hers in a heavy cast iron pie dish she swore gave it “the right kind of heat.” Every fall, we’d pile into the car and head to the local orchard, picking baskets of tart Granny Smith apples until our arms ached.
That first bite — warm, cinnamon-scented apple wrapped in tender, buttery crust — felt like the official start of the holiday season. And here’s the secret: you don’t need a holiday to make this pie. Bake it on a random Tuesday, and watch how it turns your day around.
Why This Apple Pie Works Every Time
- Tested in American kitchens — works in gas or electric ovens.
- Foolproof flaky crust — butter + shortening combo gives best texture.
- Balanced sweetness — perfect for both tart and sweet apples.
- Scalable recipe — great for 9-inch, deep dish, or mini pies.
- Year-round appeal — works for Thanksgiving, July 4th, and casual Sunday dinners.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the crust:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (King Arthur or Gold Medal)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed (Land O’Lakes)
- ½ cup vegetable shortening (Crisco)
- 6–8 tbsp ice water
For the filling:
- 6 cups sliced Granny Smith apples (about 6–7 medium)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp cinnamon (McCormick)
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp allspice
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
For the top:
- 1 egg, beaten with 1 tbsp water (egg wash)
- 1 tbsp coarse sugar for sprinkling
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the crust:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk flour, salt, and sugar.Cut in butter and shortening with a pastry cutter until mixture resembles pea-sized crumbs.Add ice water 1 tbsp at a time, mixing just until dough holds together.Divide in half, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour.
2. Prepare the filling:
In a large bowl, toss apple slices with lemon juice, both sugars, spices, and flour until evenly coated.
3. Assemble the pie:
Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C).Roll out one crust and fit into a 9-inch pie dish.Pour in apple filling, mounding slightly in the center.Dot with butter.Roll out second crust and place over filling, sealing and crimping edges.Cut small slits in the top for steam.
4. Bake:
Brush with egg wash, sprinkle with coarse sugar.Bake at 425°F for 20 minutes, then reduce to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 35–40 minutes until crust is golden and filling is bubbling.Cool at least 2 hours before slicing.
Pro Tips for Perfect Apple Pie
- Chill everything — cold butter = flakier crust.
- Mix apple varieties — Granny Smith + Honeycrisp = sweet/tart perfection.
- Prevent soggy bottoms — bake on the lowest oven rack.
- Make ahead — freeze unbaked pie for up to 3 months.
Variations & Serving Ideas
- Add caramel drizzle for a caramel apple pie twist.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream for the classic diner vibe.
- Make hand pies for portion control (or lack thereof).
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Fridge: 4–5 days covered loosely with foil.
- Freezer: Wrap baked pie tightly in plastic + foil; freeze up to 3 months.
- Reheat: 350°F for 15 minutes to restore crispness.
> To make pie crusts like a pro, I use the KitchenAid Professional 600 Stand Mixer — it powers through dough, whips cream for serving, and lasts for years. Worth every penny if you bake often.
Other Recipes To Try
- Pair this with Creamy Homemade Mac & Cheese for the ultimate comfort meal.
- Try it after a Juicy All-American Cheeseburger for a BBQ-style dinner.
- Or bake it alongside our Easy Southern Cornbread for a cozy weekend menu.
FAQs
- Q: Can I use store-bought crust?
Yes, but homemade gives a superior texture and flavor.Q: What apples are best for pie?Granny Smith for tartness, Honeycrisp for sweetness. Mix them for best results.Q: How do I keep my pie crust from burning?Cover edges with foil halfway through baking.
Conclusion
This Classic American Apple Pie is the kind of recipe you’ll pass down for generations. It’s timeless, adaptable, and always a hit whether it’s Thanksgiving or a random Tuesday. Now go preheat that oven — the smell of fresh-baked pie is waiting.
{ “@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Classic Apple Pie”, “author”: { “@type”: “Person”, “name”: “Roxanne” }, “datePublished”: “2025-08-12”, “description”: “A timeless American apple pie recipe with a buttery, flaky crust and perfectly spiced apple filling.”, “prepTime”: “PT30M”, “cookTime”: “PT60M”, “totalTime”: “PT90M”, “recipeYield”: “8 servings”, “recipeCategory”: “Dessert”, “recipeCuisine”: “American”, “keywords”: “apple pie from scratch, homemade apple pie, best American apple pie recipe, flaky pie crust”, “recipeIngredient”: [ “2 ½ cups all-purpose flour”, “1 tsp salt”, “1 tbsp sugar”, “1 cup cold unsalted butter”, “½ cup vegetable shortening”, “6–8 tbsp ice water”, “6 cups sliced Granny Smith apples”, “¾ cup granulated sugar”, “¼ cup light brown sugar”, “1 tsp cinnamon”, “¼ tsp nutmeg”, “¼ tsp allspice”, “1 tbsp lemon juice”, “2 tbsp all-purpose flour”, “1 tbsp unsalted butter”, “1 egg”, “1 tbsp water”, “1 tbsp coarse sugar” ], “recipeInstructions”: [ “In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, and sugar. Cut in butter and shortening until crumbly. Add ice water, mix until dough forms. Chill 1 hour.”, “Toss apple slices with lemon juice, sugars, spices, and flour.”, “Preheat oven to 425°F. Roll out crust, fit into pie dish, add filling, dot with butter. Cover with second crust, seal edges, and cut vents.”, “Brush with egg wash, sprinkle with sugar, bake at 425°F for 20 mins, then 375°F for 35–40 mins until golden.”, “Cool at least 2 hours before slicing.” ] }{ “@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “Article”, “headline”: “Classic Apple Pie That Tastes Like Home”, “description”: “Learn how to make the ultimate American apple pie with a flaky homemade crust, juicy cinnamon-spiced apples, and bakery-level presentation.”, “author”: { “@type”: “Person”, “name”: “Roxanne” }, “publisher”: { “@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “30 Minute Bites”, “logo”: { “@type”: “ImageObject”, “url”: “https://30-minutebites.com/logo.png” } }, “datePublished”: “2025-08-12” }