How to make a Classic Old-Fashioned Apple Pie
Diving into the “Pies” section from my family’s recipe book, recreate this classic tried and true old-fashioned apple pie! Just in time for Thanksgiving, this deliciously cozy apple pie will surely impress your family after dinner.
Where did this apple pie recipe come from?
This delicious old-fashioned recipe comes from my family’s recipe book that beholds tried and true recipes from three generations of family cooks. Learn more about me here.
Of course, apple pie is a dessert that can rarely be done incorrectly; it’s a classic.
My favorite part of this recipe (and pies in general) is how customizable it can be. For instance, I tweaked this recipe slightly to include my own brown sugar crust, rather than a graham cracker crust. The flaky, sugary goodness is just too good to beat.
This recipe is very customizable, all it takes is a little creativity.
There are so many recipes to share that we have two volumes! If you like this recipe, stay tuned for new recipes every week.
There are many types of apples…which do you use?
There are many great apple options for this pie. You do not have to make your pie with honeycrisp apples, but it’s necessary that the apples stay firm enough to keep their shape while cooking. For this recipe, I use honeycrisp apples. The tart yet honey-sweetness of the apple is the perfect combination for a pie.
Here are apples perfect for an apple pie:
- Granny Smith – for the sour fruit lovers.
- Gala – ideal for sweetness, hardly tart at all.
- Envy – beautiful color, especially after baking. Deliciously sweet.
- Honeycrisp – a wonderful balance between sweet and tart.
Equipment you’ll need for this classic apple pie:
- 12” Stainless Steel or Cast Iron Pan
- Food processor (optional)
- Fruit juicer (optional)
Ingredients you’ll need:
- 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
- All-purpose flour (unbleached)
- Light brown sugar
- 4 medium-sized honeycrisp apples (or your preferred apple)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (about half a lemon)
- Granulated sugar
- Pecans (chopped)
- Ground cinnamon
How to make a classic old-fashioned apple pie
Brown Sugar Crust
Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and butter (room temperature) using a fork or your hands. If you’d rather, you can throw ingredients into a food processor and combine with short bursts. However, I find using my hands is effective.
Heavily butter a 9”x13” pie pan including the rim. This step is very important – don’t worry about over-buttering the pan.
Shape dough crumbles into pie pan. This can be a bit difficult to form evenly, but don’t worry, this is the hardest part of the recipe. I recommend sprinkling flour onto the dough to help shape the dough.
Bake pie shell for 20-25 minutes until crust is golden brown.
Classic Apple Filling
Get ready for your home to smell fantastic!
Slice 4 cups apples thinly (about 4 medium-sized apples). Melt butter on medium heat in large pan, add apples and cook until tender, stirring occasionally. Add sugar and lemon juice, cook for three minutes.
Fill baked pie crust with filling and set aside.
Pecan & Cinnamon Crumble Topping
Roughly chop pecans. Add to a small bowl with brown sugar, butter, and flour. Combine mixture and top off this delicious apple pie. Sprinkle cinnamon on top.
Bake this classic apple pie for 25-30 minutes. You’ll know by the most scrumptious aroma that your pie is finished.
Allow your pie to cool for at least one hour.
Classic Old-Fashioned Apple Pie
Equipment
- 1 Food Processor Optional
- 1 Large Stainless Steel or Cast Iron Pan
Ingredients
Brown Sugar Crust
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 cup Butter unsalted & room temperature
- 1/2 cup Light Brown Sugar
Apple Filling
- 4 cups Honeycrisp Apples (about 4 medium sized apples) Granny Smith or Gala apples work great too
- 2 tbsp Butter unsalted
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice about half a lemon
- 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
Brown Sugar Pecan Crumble
- 2/3 cup Pecans
- 1/4 cup Light Brown Sugar
- 1 tbsp All-Purpose Flour
- 1 tbsp Butter unsalted & room temperature
Instructions
Brown Sugar Crust
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients using fork or hands until a crumble dough forms (you can also use a food processor, but I find my hands work better).
- Grease a pie pan.
- Pour crumbles into pie pan and shape dough into pan. I recommend sprinkling flour onto the dough and your fingers to help shape the dough correctly.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
Apple Filling
- Slice 4 cups of apples thinly.
- Melt butter on medium heat, add apples and cook until tender stirring occasionally (about 12 minutes).
- Add 2 tbsp lemon juice and 1/4 cup sugar. Cook for 3 minutes.
- Fill pie crust with apple filling and set aside.
Brown Sugar Pecan Crumble
- Roughly chop pecan halves.
- Mix chopped pecans, brown sugar, butter, and flour in a small bowl.
- Pour mixture over apple filling.
- Bake pie for 25-30 minutes until topping is golden brown.
- Let cool for at least an hour.
What’s your favorite dessert to bring to Thanksgiving dinner? Let me know your favorites in the comments!
