Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Prepare the Pie Crust:
- Whisk flour and salt, then cut in cold butter until crumbly. Gradually add ice water and apple cider vinegar to form a dough, then divide, flatten, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Pre-Cook the Apples (Secret #3 for no soggy bottom):
- While dough chills, peel, core, and slice apples. Combine apples with sugars, lemon juice, spices, and salt in a pot, cooking over medium heat until apples soften slightly.
Thicken the Filling:
- Whisk flour or cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Add to warm apples, stirring until thickened, then remove from heat and stir in cold butter until melted. Let the filling cool completely.
Assemble the Pie:
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Roll out one dough disk into a 12-inch circle and transfer to a 9-inch pie plate, trimming the edges to a ½-inch overhang.
Fill and Top:
- Pour the cooled apple filling into the bottom crust, mounding it in the center. Roll out the second dough disk and place it over the filling, create a lattice top, or use decorative cutouts, making sure to cut slits if using a full top crust.
Seal and Crimp (Secret #4 for a beautiful edge):
- Trim the top crust to match the bottom overhang. Fold the top crust under the bottom and crimp the edges together for a decorative seal.
Egg Wash and Sugar:
- Brush the top crust with egg wash and, if desired, sprinkle with turbinado sugar for extra crunch and shine.
Bake (Secret #5 for even cooking):
- Bake the pie on a baking sheet at 425°F for 20 minutes. Reduce temperature to 375°F and bake for another 35-45 minutes, until golden brown and bubbling; cover edges with foil if browning too quickly.
Cool Completely:
- Allow the pie to cool on a wire rack for at least 2-3 hours before slicing and serving.
Notes
For the flakiest crust, ensure all butter and water are very cold. Using a mix of apples provides the best balance of flavor and texture. Pre-cooking the apples prevents a soggy bottom crust, and proper cooling is essential for the filling to set.
