Grandma's Secret: The Ultimate Homemade Apple Pie with Flaky Crust

Recipe by Peter G

Published September 28, 2025

There's nothing quite like the comforting aroma of a freshly baked apple pie, especially when it's made entirely from scratch. This recipe delivers a beautifully tender, golden-brown crust that practically melts in your mouth, perfectly complementing the sweet, spiced apple filling within. It's a true classic that tastes like a warm hug, perfect for any occasion.

Instructions

**1. Prepare the Pie Crust:** In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar. Add the very cold butter cubes and cut them into the flour mixture using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. Gradually add the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix. Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disc, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 days).

**2. Prepare the Apple Filling:** In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour (or cornstarch), cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves (if using), and lemon juice. Toss gently until the apples are evenly coated. Set aside.

**3. Assemble the Pie:** Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of chilled pie dough into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie plate. Trim the edges, leaving about a ½-inch overhang.

**4. Fill and Top:** Pour the apple filling into the crust-lined pie plate, mounding it slightly in the center. Dot the top of the filling with the small pieces of butter. Roll out the second disc of pie dough. You can either place it directly over the filling, cut slits in the top for venting, or create a lattice top. Place the top crust over the filling.

**5. Finish the Edges:** Trim any excess dough from the top crust, leaving about a ½-inch overhang. Fold the top crust's overhang under the bottom crust's overhang and crimp the edges together to seal (you can use your fingers or a fork). If desired, brush the top crust with the beaten egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar.

**6. Bake:** Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any potential drips. Bake for 15 minutes at 425°F (220°C). Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and continue to bake for another 45-60 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. If the crust begins to brown too quickly, cover the edges loosely with aluminum foil.

**7. Cool and Serve:** Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 2-3 hours before slicing and serving. This allows the filling to set properly.

Final Notes

Serving this pie warm, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream, is an absolute dream. The wait for it to cool is the hardest part, but trust me, it's worth every moment for that perfectly set, flavorful apple filling. Enjoy the fruits of your labor – this homemade apple pie is sure to become a beloved tradition!

About the Author

Peter G

Cooking is my passion. I love blogging and sharing my creative recipes with the world. With my busy lifestyle, it can be challenging to create new recipes, write posts, and ensure everything is formatted and presented well. I started MealMagX for this very reason—for those who share my passion for creative cooking but may not have the time to maintain a blog.

Grandma's Secret: The Ultimate Homemade Apple Pie with Flaky Crust

Ingredients

Instructions

Final Notes

Categories

About the Author

Peter G