Creating a fluffy apple pie involves a balance between the tenderness of the filling and the texture of the crust. Here’s a recipe that focuses on creating a light and airy apple pie:Ingredients for the filling:
- 6-7 cups of peeled, cored, and thinly sliced apples (use a mix of varieties like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Zest of one lemon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced into small pieces
Ingredients for the crust:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and diced into small cubes
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the pie filling by combining the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a large mixing bowl. Toss everything together until the apples are evenly coated. Set aside.
- To make the crust, in a separate bowl, mix the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the chilled diced butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to incorporate the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add the ice water, a tablespoon at a time, while gently mixing the dough with a fork or your hands until it just starts to come together. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions. Roll out one portion on a floured surface to fit a 9-inch pie dish. Transfer the rolled-out dough to the pie dish.
- Fill the pie crust with the prepared apple filling. Dot the top of the filling with the diced unsalted butter.
- Roll out the second portion of dough and place it over the filling. Trim and crimp the edges to seal the pie.
- Cut slits or create a decorative pattern on the top crust to allow steam to escape while baking.
- Optional: Brush the top crust with milk or an egg wash for a golden finish.
- Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any drips and bake in the preheated oven for about 50-60 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Once baked, allow the pie to cool before slicing and serving.
This fluffy apple pie recipe creates a light and tender filling with a flaky crust, perfect for enjoying the classic flavors of apple pie.
