If you’re searching for an Easy Apple Pie Recipe that feels like a warm hug from your grandma’s kitchen, I’ve got just the one for you. This pie combines sweet apples with a buttery crust in the simplest way possible—no fuss, just pure comfort. When I first tried this recipe, I was amazed at how straightforward and satisfying it was. So grab your apples, and let’s get baking together!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: You’ll find everything you need is probably already in your pantry or fridge.
- Beginner-Friendly: Even if you don’t bake often, this recipe walks you through the steps easily.
- Comfort Food Classic: The warm cinnamon-spiced apples make this pie a cozy treat for any time of year.
- Versatile: Feel free to tweak it with your favorite apple varieties or spices for a personal touch.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Easy Apple Pie Recipe calls for simple, fresh ingredients that work together beautifully—apples, sugar, and a buttery crust. The key is picking the right apples that balance tartness and sweetness, plus some warming spices to bring it all together.
- Apples: I love using Granny Smith for tartness mixed with Fuji or Honeycrisp for sweetness—this combo gives each bite depth.
- Sugar: Both white and brown sugar are great; brown sugar adds a lovely molasses note.
- Cinnamon and Nutmeg: Freshly ground is best for that warm, aromatic kick.
- Pie Crust: Store-bought works fine, but homemade adds an extra buttery, flaky layer that’s worth the effort.
- Butter: Small pats dotting the filling before baking help create a rich, golden finish.
- Lemon Juice: A splash brightens the apples and keeps them from browning.
Variations
One of the things I love most about this Easy Apple Pie Recipe is how flexible it is. Whether you want a crust that’s extra crispy, or you prefer to swap in spices like cardamom or ginger, there’s plenty of room to make it your own.
- Add Nuts: Sprinkling chopped walnuts or pecans on top before baking adds a wonderful crunch that my family goes crazy for.
- Make it Vegan: Use a dairy-free butter substitute and an egg replacer in the crust to suit a vegan lifestyle without sacrificing flavor.
- Spice It Up: A pinch of ground cloves or allspice delivers a depth of flavor that makes your pie stand out at holiday gatherings.
- Gluten-Free: Swap the regular crust for a gluten-free version—you’d never guess unless you told them.
How to Make Easy Apple Pie Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Apples Just Right
First things first: peel, core, and slice your apples into evenly sized pieces. This helps them cook evenly and keeps your pie looking beautiful. Toss them with a bit of lemon juice to prevent browning and add sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg to coat every slice. I like to let this mixture sit for about 15 minutes—it really helps those flavors meld.
Step 2: Prepare the Pie Crust
Roll out your pie crust and fit it into a 9-inch pie pan, making sure to patch any cracks with extra dough. You want it to hug the pan snugly without stretching. If you want a fancy edge, now’s the time to crimp it. A tip I discovered is to chill the crust for 10 minutes before adding the filling to prevent shrinking.
Step 3: Fill and Dot with Butter
Pour your apple mixture into the pie shell, spreading it out evenly. Then, dot the top with small pats of butter—that little detail elevates the flavor and helps the filling get that gorgeous glossy finish when baked.
Step 4: Bake Until Golden and Bubbly
Bake your pie at 425°F for 15 minutes to set the crust, then reduce the temperature to 350°F for about 35-45 minutes. When it’s done, the crust should be golden and the filling bubbly—if the crust edges brown too quickly, cover them with foil or a pie shield. I learned this the hard way and now never skip this step!
Pro Tips for Making Easy Apple Pie Recipe
- Crisp Apples Mix: Combining tart and sweet apples gives this pie layers of flavor and keeps the texture interesting.
- Chill the Dough: Resting your pie crust in the fridge before baking prevents shrinking and makes rolling easier.
- Don’t Overfill: Too many apples will make the pie soggy—go for a nice rounded mound but not a mountain.
- Cover the Edges: Use foil to shield crust edges from burning partway through baking for an even golden finish.
How to Serve Easy Apple Pie Recipe
Garnishes
I love serving this pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream—both add cool creaminess that pairs beautifully with the warm spices. A sprinkle of powdered sugar or a few fresh apple slices on top gives it a lovely finishing touch for guests.
Side Dishes
This pie makes a perfect ending to a cozy meal. Try it alongside roasted turkey or pork, or with a simple cup of spiced tea or hot cider. Fruit salads or light green salads balance out the richness when serving for dinner.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I sometimes bake this pie in individual ramekins for personal servings—so cute and super charming! You can also lattice the crust with thin strips of dough for a classic look. Adding a cinnamon stick tied with twine as a garnish on the plate never fails to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover pie should be covered tightly and refrigerated—it keeps fresh for up to 3 days, though I bet it won’t last that long! To keep the crust from getting soggy, I store it loosely covered with foil rather than plastic wrap.
Freezing
I often freeze this Easy Apple Pie Recipe unbaked in the crust to bake fresh later—just wrap tightly in plastic and foil and freeze for up to 2 months. When it’s time, let it thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as usual.
Reheating
Reheat slices in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes to revive that flaky crust and warm filling. Microwave works in a pinch but tends to make the crust soggy, so I recommend the oven for the best results.
FAQs
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Can I use any type of apples for this Easy Apple Pie Recipe?
You can, but I recommend mixing tart and sweet varieties like Granny Smith with Honeycrisp or Fuji to get the best flavor and texture. Some apples turn mushy when baked, so picking firmer ones ensures your pie slices hold up nicely.
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Do I need to peel the apples?
Peeling is optional but I find it helps the pie filling have a smoother texture and more evenly cooked apples. If you prefer a rustic look and don’t mind a bit of extra chew, leaving the peel on works too.
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How do I prevent a soggy bottom crust?
One trick I discovered is to brush the bottom crust with a thin layer of egg white before adding the filling. You can also bake the crust for 5-7 minutes before filling it to create a moisture barrier.
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Can I make this pie in advance?
Absolutely! You can assemble it a day ahead and refrigerate, then bake right before serving. Just bring it to room temperature before baking for even cooking.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Easy Apple Pie Recipe turns out every single time—it’s that perfect mix of simplicity and comfort food magic. I remember bringing this pie to a family potluck and watching everyone go back for seconds (and thirds!). Whether you’re a baking newbie or a seasoned pro, I promise this recipe won’t let you down. So grab some apples, get cozy in the kitchen, and enjoy the sweet rewards with those you love!
Print
Easy Apple Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings, one 9-inch pecan pie
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Description
A classic Southern pecan pie featuring a rich and gooey filling made with eggs, sugar, corn syrup, butter, and vanilla, nestled in a flaky, buttery 9-inch pie crust. Loaded with pecan halves, this pie offers a perfect balance of sweet, nutty flavors and a tender, slightly crisp top. Ideal for holiday gatherings or a comforting dessert.
Ingredients
Pie Crust
- 1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch single crust pie
Filling
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup corn syrup
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 1.5 cups pecan halves
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients and preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature when the pie is ready to bake.
- Mix Filling: In a medium bowl, beat the eggs slightly, then whisk in the white sugar. Stir in the corn syrup, melted butter, vanilla extract, salt, and pecan halves until all ingredients are well combined and the pecans are evenly distributed in the filling.
- Assemble Pie: Pour the prepared filling mixture into the unbaked 9-inch single crust pie shell, spreading it evenly.
- Bake Initial High Heat: Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 15 minutes. This step helps set the crust and start the filling cooking process.
- Reduce Temperature and Finish Baking: Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and continue baking for an additional 35 to 40 minutes. The pie should turn golden brown on top and puff slightly. The filling will be set around the edges but still slightly jiggly in the center, indicating it’s perfectly cooked.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the pie to cool thoroughly at room temperature to let the filling set further before slicing and serving. This ensures clean cuts and optimal texture.
Notes
- This Southern pecan pie recipe combines sugar, dark corn syrup, and lots of pecans in a buttery crust for a sticky and sweet Southern dessert treat.
- Use fresh pecans for the best flavor and texture.
- Letting the pie cool completely before serving improves slicing and the overall eating experience.
- You can serve this pie with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgence.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of pie)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 37 g
- Sodium: 262 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 70 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 77 mg
