Apple pie is the quintessential all-American dessert, and every home cook should have a reliable go-to recipe. This easy apple pie is our favorite because it’s packed with sweet-tart apples and uses a simple crust that tastes homemade. With a few practical tips—choosing the right apples, pre-cooking the filling, and using an easy crust method—you’ll have a classic pie on the table in about an hour.
Key to Success #1 – The Apples
The apples are the heart of a great pie, so choose varieties that stay firm when baked. You want apples with a little bite, not mush. Popular choices include Golden Delicious for a mild sweetness or Granny Smith for tartness; you can also combine a sweet and a tart variety for balanced flavor.
Slice the apples evenly so they cook uniformly. An apple corer-slicer makes this quick and consistent, but a sharp knife and careful cutting work perfectly well. Aim for slices that are not too thin—thicker slices hold texture and give the pie a pleasing mouthfeel.
Key to Success #2 – Pre-cooking the Filling
Lightly pre-cooking the apple filling shortens bake time and helps prevent the crust from over-browning. You can gently heat the apples with the sugar, flour, spices, salt, and lemon juice for a few minutes in the microwave or on the stovetop until they begin to soften. This also gives you a chance to taste and adjust the sweetness or spice before the pie goes into the oven.
Key to Success #3 – Crust the Easy Way
You can make a pastry crust from scratch, but using a refrigerated pie crust keeps this recipe quick and approachable. One box usually contains two crusts—perfect for a double-crust pie. Soften the crusts just as the package directs so they press easily into the pan without cracking.
Crimping the edges is simple: press the top and bottom edges together and flute them with your fingers, or use a fork to press a decorative pattern around the rim. Don’t worry if the crimping isn’t perfect—the flavor matters most, and this pie delivers on taste every time.
Apple Pie
This apple pie is full of crisp, tangy apples and warm spice. Using a refrigerated crust makes it simple to prepare, with oven-to-table time around one hour.
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 1 box refrigerated pie crust, softened as directed on box
For the filling:
- 3 lbs apples, such as Golden Delicious, peeled and cored
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp apple pie spice
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
Directions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Place one pie crust in an ungreased 9-inch glass pie plate and press it firmly into the sides and bottom.
- Thinly slice the apples into a large microwave-safe bowl. Add the sugar, flour, apple pie spice, salt, and lemon juice; stir to combine. Microwave on HIGH for 5–6 minutes to begin softening the apples, or cook briefly on the stovetop until they just start to release juices. Taste and adjust sugar or spice if needed.
- Spoon the filling into the bottom crust. Place the second crust on top, trim excess as needed, and tuck the edges under the bottom crust. Press to seal and flute the edges or press with a fork to crimp. Cut slits in the top crust to vent steam during baking.
- Bake 45–50 minutes, until the apples are tender and the crust is golden brown. After the first 15 minutes of baking, cover the crust edges with foil or a shield to prevent over-browning.
- Remove from the oven and let the pie rest at least 15–20 minutes before slicing so the filling sets slightly.
Notes
Use your favorite apples or a combination—Golden Delicious gives a sweet, tender result while Granny Smith adds bright tartness. After pre-cooking the apples, taste and adjust sugar or spices to suit your preference. If the filling seems too juicy, add an extra tablespoon of flour or a little cornstarch to thicken.
Equipment
- 9-inch glass pie plate
- Mixing bowls
- Knife or apple slicer
- Measuring cups and spoons
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 192 kcal |
Carbohydrates: 40 g |
Protein: 1 g |
Fat: 4 g |
Saturated Fat: 1 g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g |
Sodium: 111 mg |
Fiber: 4 g |
Sugar: 26 g
Leave a comment and rating to help other readers. If you tried substitutions or changes, share what worked for you. Save the recipe so you can make it again and enjoy simple, classic desserts all year long.
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