There’s nothing more nostalgic than the warm aroma of a freshly baked apple pie, especially when served à la mode with a creamy scoop of vanilla ice cream. This classic apple pie recipe is a comforting blend of sweet, tart apples, warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and a flaky, buttery crust. Whether you’re serving it at a family gathering, holiday dinner, or just indulging in a treat for yourself, this apple pie brings all the warmth and coziness of home. Follow this detailed recipe to create a timeless dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Ingredients:
Pie Filling:
- 3 pounds apples (Macoun, Honeycrisp, or Cortland are great choices)
- ½ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes
Other Ingredients:
- 9-inch double pie crust
- Egg wash: 1 tablespoon milk + 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar (optional)
- Vanilla ice cream (for serving)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Apples:
- Peel, core, and slice the apples into ¼-inch slices.
- In a large bowl, toss the apples with the granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
- Let the apples sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour to release their juices.
- Prepare the Pie Crust:
- On a floured surface, roll out the bottom pie crust into a 12-inch circle.
- Drape the rolled dough over your rolling pin and gently lay it into a 9-inch pie plate.
- Press the dough into the plate and trim any excess.
- Place the pie plate in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the apples.
- Cook the Apple Juices:
- Drain the juices from the apples into a small saucepan.
- Add the cubed butter and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces and thickens slightly.
- Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Assemble the Filling:
- Toss the apples with the flour until evenly coated.
- Remove the pie plate from the refrigerator and fill it with the apple mixture.
- Pour the reduced apple juices over the apples.
- Place the pie plate back in the refrigerator while you prepare the top crust.
- Roll Out the Top Crust:
- On a floured surface, roll out the top crust into a 9-inch circle.
- For a lattice design, cut the dough into ten 1-inch strips and arrange them over the pie in a crisscross pattern, weaving the strips together.
- For a traditional design, keep the top crust intact and place it over the pie, trimming the excess dough to ½ inch beyond the pie plate.
- Press and crimp the edges of the pie to seal, using your fingers or the tines of a fork.
- Chill the Pie:
- Place the assembled pie in the freezer for 15 minutes to firm up the dough and prevent shrinking during baking.
- Egg Wash and Bake:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the egg wash by whisking together the egg and milk.
- Brush the egg wash over the top crust and sprinkle with turbinado sugar for extra crunch (optional).
- Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any drips and bake for 1 hour, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
- If needed, tent the pie with foil to prevent over-browning during the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
- Cool and Serve:
- Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack for at least 4 hours to allow the filling to set.
- Slice the pie and serve with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream on top for the perfect à la mode experience.
Cooking Tips:
- Choose firm apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith, which hold up well during baking and provide a balance of sweetness and tartness.
- Letting the apples rest in sugar helps to release their juices, ensuring the filling isn’t too watery.
- Cooking the apple juices with butter creates a rich caramel-like syrup that adds depth to the filling.
- Make sure to chill the pie before baking to prevent the dough from shrinking and to ensure a flaky crust.
- Use a pie crust shield or foil to cover the edges of the crust if they begin to brown too quickly during baking.
Nutritional Benefits:
- Apples are a great source of dietary fiber and vitamin C, promoting heart health and digestion.
- Cinnamon and nutmeg provide antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
- The butter and eggs contribute a source of healthy fats, while the sugars provide a quick energy boost.
- Serving with vanilla ice cream adds calcium and protein, making it a balanced indulgence.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
This classic apple pie is everything you want in a dessert—tender, spiced apples encased in a buttery, flaky crust. The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice adds a warm, comforting flavor that pairs perfectly with the tart apples. Topped with creamy vanilla ice cream, this pie is the ultimate comfort food dessert. Whether you make it for the holidays or a cozy weekend treat, this apple pie will surely become a family favorite.
Dietary Information:
- Contains Gluten: The pie crust contains all-purpose flour, but you can substitute with a gluten-free pie crust to make it gluten-free.
- Contains Dairy: The butter, egg wash, and ice cream contain dairy, but you can opt for dairy-free alternatives like vegan butter and non-dairy ice cream.
- Vegetarian: This recipe is vegetarian, as it does not contain any meat products.
Why This Recipe Works:
The balance of sweet and tart apples, combined with the warm spices and rich buttery crust, creates a perfect harmony of flavors. The addition of the cooked apple juices ensures the filling doesn’t become too runny, while chilling the pie before baking helps maintain the integrity of the crust. Serving the pie à la mode adds a creamy contrast to the warm, spiced apples, making every bite a delightful combination of flavors and textures.
Conclusion:
This Classic Apple Pie à la Mode is the epitome of comfort and nostalgia, bringing together the timeless flavors of spiced apples, buttery crust, and cool vanilla ice cream. Perfect for any occasion, this pie is easy to make yet impressively delicious. Whether it’s for a holiday table or a simple family gathering, this apple pie is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy the warm, cinnamon-spiced filling with a refreshing scoop of ice cream for an unforgettable dessert!
Classic Apple Pie à la Mode with Lattice Crust
- Total Time: 4hrs
Description
There’s nothing more nostalgic than the warm aroma of a freshly baked apple pie, especially when served à la mode with a creamy scoop of vanilla ice cream. This classic apple pie recipe is a comforting blend of sweet, tart apples, warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and a flaky, buttery crust. Whether you’re serving it at a family gathering, holiday dinner, or just indulging in a treat for yourself, this apple pie brings all the warmth and coziness of home. Follow this detailed recipe to create a timeless dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Ingredients
Pie Filling:
- 3 pounds apples (Macoun, Honeycrisp, or Cortland are great choices)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes
Other Ingredients:
- 9-inch double pie crust
- Egg wash: 1 tablespoon milk + 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar (optional)
- Vanilla ice cream (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Apples:
- Peel, core, and slice the apples into ¼-inch slices.
- In a large bowl, toss the apples with the granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
- Let the apples sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour to release their juices.
- Prepare the Pie Crust:
- On a floured surface, roll out the bottom pie crust into a 12-inch circle.
- Drape the rolled dough over your rolling pin and gently lay it into a 9-inch pie plate.
- Press the dough into the plate and trim any excess.
- Place the pie plate in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the apples.
- Cook the Apple Juices:
- Drain the juices from the apples into a small saucepan.
- Add the cubed butter and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces and thickens slightly.
- Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Assemble the Filling:
- Toss the apples with the flour until evenly coated.
- Remove the pie plate from the refrigerator and fill it with the apple mixture.
- Pour the reduced apple juices over the apples.
- Place the pie plate back in the refrigerator while you prepare the top crust.
- Roll Out the Top Crust:
- On a floured surface, roll out the top crust into a 9-inch circle.
- For a lattice design, cut the dough into ten 1-inch strips and arrange them over the pie in a crisscross pattern, weaving the strips together.
- For a traditional design, keep the top crust intact and place it over the pie, trimming the excess dough to ½ inch beyond the pie plate.
- Press and crimp the edges of the pie to seal, using your fingers or the tines of a fork.
- Chill the Pie:
- Place the assembled pie in the freezer for 15 minutes to firm up the dough and prevent shrinking during baking.
- Egg Wash and Bake:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the egg wash by whisking together the egg and milk.
- Brush the egg wash over the top crust and sprinkle with turbinado sugar for extra crunch (optional).
- Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any drips and bake for 1 hour, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
- If needed, tent the pie with foil to prevent over-browning during the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
- Cool and Serve:
- Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack for at least 4 hours to allow the filling to set.
- Slice the pie and serve with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream on top for the perfect à la mode experience.
- Prep Time: 24mins
- Cook Time: 1hr