american apple pie

How to make american apple pie recipe - Thinly slicing the apples in this classic American pie gives the filling a soft, melting texture.

SERVES 6–8

PREP TIME 25 mins, plus chilling, COOK TIME 1 hr

Ingredients:
2 1⁄3 cups all-purpose flour
1⁄3 cup sugar
13 tbsp unsalted butter, chilled

For the filling:
14oz (400g) Granny Smith (or other tart apples),
peeled and cored weight
14oz (400g) Royal Gala (or other sweet apples), peeled and cored weight
2 tbsp lemon juice
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
4 tbsp sugar
4 tbsp light brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 egg, beaten with 1 tbsp cold water, for glazing

Method:
1 In a food processor or by hand, mix together the flour, sugar, and butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add 5–6 tbsp of ice water and bring it together to form a soft dough. Wrap the pastry in plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour before using.

2 Preheat the oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Remove the pastry from the fridge, cut off one-third, then rewrap the smaller piece and return it to the fridge.

3 On a floured work surface, roll out the larger piece of pastry into a disk large enough to line a 91⁄2in (24cm) pie dish. Lightly press the pastry into the dish and trim off any excess with a pair of scissors, allowing a 1⁄2in (1cm) overhang all around. Place in the fridge.

4 Cut the apples into 1⁄4in (5mm) slices and mix with the lemon juice in a large bowl until well combined. Sprinkle the flour, 3 tbsp of sugar, the brown sugar, and the cinnamon over the apples and toss them together so all the pieces are coated in the mixture.

5 Pack the apples into the pie case, mounding the fruit slightly higher in the middle and ensuring it is well pressed down. Roll the reserved pastry into a disk large enough to fit the pie. Brush the edges of the pastry with a little egg wash, place the lid on top, and use your fingers to crimp the pieces of pastry together. Trim off any excess pastry with a small, sharp knife. Brush the top with egg wash, sprinkle with the remaining sugar, and cut 2 small slits in the top.

6 Bake in the oven for 1 hour. (If using a ceramic or glass pie dish, place on a metal baking sheet to ensure the pastry bottom cooks thoroughly, extending the cooking time if necessary.) If the crust browns too early, cover it with foil, but remove it 5 minutes before the end of the cooking time to allow the top to remain crisp. Remove from the oven and leave to cool. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

american apple pie