Fluffy Apple Pie:
Ingredients:
For the Pie Crust:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 6-8 tablespoons ice water
For the Filling:
- 6-7 medium-sized apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (use a mix of sweet and tart varieties like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
For the Egg Wash:
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions:
- Prepare the Pie Crust:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and sugar. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or fork to cut it into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing with a fork until the dough starts to come together. Be careful not to overwork the dough. Once it holds together, divide it into two equal-sized disks, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Prepare the Filling:
- In a separate bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and lemon juice. Toss until the apples are evenly coated.
- Assemble the Pie:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll out one disk of chilled pie dough on a floured surface to fit a 9-inch pie dish. Carefully transfer the rolled-out dough to the pie dish, pressing it gently into the bottom and up the sides.
- Pour the prepared apple filling into the pie crust, spreading it out evenly. Dot the filling with cubed butter.
- Top the Pie:
- Roll out the second disk of pie dough and place it over the filling. Trim any excess dough and crimp the edges to seal. Cut a few slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Bake the Pie:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to make the egg wash. Brush the top crust with the egg wash.
- Place the pie on a baking sheet (to catch any drips) and bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Cool and Serve:
- Allow the pie to cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving. Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
This Fluffy Apple Pie is sure to be a hit at any gathering, with its tender, flaky crust and perfectly spiced apple filling! Enjoy!
