Is there anything more comforting than the smell of apple pie baking in your oven? I’m talking about real, from-scratch apple pie with a flaky, buttery crust and tender, spiced apples that create that perfect balance of sweet and tart. Not the store-bought kind that’s been sitting on a shelf, but the kind that fills your home with cinnamon-scented memories. Making your own pie might seem intimidating at first, but trust me, once you try it, you’ll wonder why you ever settled for less.
Why You’ll Love this Homemade Apple Pie
Nostalgia in a pie dish.
There’s something magical about the aroma of cinnamon and apples wafting through your kitchen as a homemade pie bakes.
You’ll fall in love with the perfect balance of tart Granny Smith apples and sweet brown sugar. The flaky, buttery crust? Simply irresistible.
What makes this recipe special is its simplicity.
Just basic ingredients coming together to create something extraordinary.
No fancy techniques required, just honest baking.
And when you slice into that golden crust, revealing those tender, spice-infused apples? Pure joy.
Isn’t that what comfort food is all about?
What Ingredients are in Homemade Apple Pie?
To make a classic homemade apple pie that’ll warm both heart and home, you’ll need just a handful of simple ingredients that come together beautifully.
- 2 pie crusts (homemade or store-bought)
- 7 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 egg (for the egg wash)
The quality of your apples makes all the difference in this recipe—Granny Smiths provide that perfect tartness that balances the sweetness, but you can certainly mix in a few Honeycrisps or Braeburns if you want to play with the flavor profile.
How to Make this Homemade Apple Pie
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F so it’s nice and hot when your pie is ready to bake.
Nothing worse than a pie waiting around while the oven catches up—trust me on this one.
Step 2: Prepare the Apple Filling
Toss 7 large peeled and sliced Granny Smith apples with 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a large bowl.
The flour helps thicken all those delicious juices that will bubble up during baking.
Step 3: Prepare the Bottom Crust
Place one pie crust in a 9-inch pie plate, gently pressing it into the bottom and sides.
Don’t stretch the dough or it might shrink while baking, and we want room for all those gorgeous apples.
Step 4: Add the Filling
Pour your apple mixture into the prepared crust, mounding it slightly in the center.
Dot the filling with 2 tablespoons of butter cut into small pieces—this adds richness and helps create that perfect saucy texture.
Having the right baking tools will make this process much easier and more precise for consistently delicious results.
Step 5: Top with Second Crust
Place the second crust over your filling, then seal and crimp the edges together with the bottom crust.
Remember to cut a few slits or decorative vents in the top to let steam escape, unless you’re interested in cleaning pie filling off the inside of your oven door.
Step 6: Add the Finishing Touch
Brush the top crust lightly with egg wash (just beat that 1 egg with a splash of water).
This gives your pie that magazine-worthy golden shine that makes everyone want to grab a slice before dinner.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake your pie for 45-50 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling through those cute little vents you created.
If the edges start browning too quickly, cover them with foil to prevent burning.
Step 8: Cooling Time (The Hardest Part)
Let the pie cool for at least 1 hour before serving.
Yes, it smells amazing, and yes, you’ll want to dive right in, but patience rewards you with a perfectly set filling that won’t run all over your plate.
What to Serve with Homemade Apple Pie
Nothing completes a slice of warm apple pie quite like a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the top—it’s a classic for good reason.
If you’re feeling fancy, try a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce instead. For something a little different, a slice of sharp cheddar cheese pairs surprisingly well with apple pie (trust me, it’s an old-school combo that works!).
Coffee or hot apple cider makes for the perfect warming beverage alongside your pie, especially during fall gatherings.
And if you’re serving this for breakfast—because yes, pie for breakfast is absolutely acceptable—consider a side of Greek yogurt to make it feel slightly more virtuous.
Whatever you choose, just make sure there’s enough for seconds!
Homemade Apple Pie Substitutions and Variations
- Spice It Up: Include 1/4 teaspoon cardamom, a pinch of ginger, or 1/8 teaspoon allspice for a warming twist on the classic spice blend.
- Crust Options: Try a crumb topping with oats, butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon instead of top crust for a Dutch apple pie variation.
Leftovers and Storage for this Homemade Apple Pie
Your apple pie will remain delicious for up to 4 days when stored properly.
After it’s completely cooled, cover loosely with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate. Room temperature storage works for just 1-2 days, but refrigeration keeps it fresher longer.
To reheat a slice, warm it in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes—this revives that crisp crust better than the microwave ever could.
For frozen pie (yes, it freezes beautifully for up to 3 months!), thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Want to prevent soggy bottom syndrome? Cool your pie completely on a wire rack before storing, and reheat slices on a baking sheet to maintain that perfect flaky texture.
While many desserts are best fresh, this apple pie actually develops deeper flavors after a day in the fridge.
Final Thoughts
This homemade apple pie represents everything wonderful about scratch baking—the aroma of cinnamon and apples filling your kitchen, the satisfying crunch of that first bite through golden crust, the warm spiced filling that follows.
The combination of Granny Smith apples with that perfect balance of sugars creates a dessert that’s simultaneously tart and sweet.
Apple pie shines brightest during fall gatherings and holiday celebrations, but honestly, there’s never a wrong time to bring this classic to the table.
Whether for Sunday dinner or a special occasion, few desserts connect us to tradition and comfort quite like a carefully crafted apple pie cooling on the windowsill.