Easy & Delightful Joy Of Cooking Apple Pie Recipe

Have you ever craved Joy of Cooking’s apple pie that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dessert?

Generations of home bakers have celebrated this classic recipe, capturing autumn’s essence in every delectable slice.

Tart apples mingle with warm spices, creating a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Butter-rich pastry cradles soft, caramelized fruit beneath a golden, flaky crust that promises pure comfort.

Each bite tells a story of tradition, love, and culinary magic passed down through family kitchens.

Seasonal ingredients blend seamlessly, turning simple components into a mouthwatering masterpiece that sparks memories and warms hearts.

Prepare to be transported by a dessert that embodies home, warmth, and pure deliciousness: get ready to bake!

Apple Pie Essentials: Key Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and base for the pie crust.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and controls gluten development.
• Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness to the crust.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates flaky texture and rich flavor.
• Water: Binds ingredients and helps form pastry dough.

• Apples: Main fruit for pie, choose firm baking varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create syrup.
• Brown Sugar: Adds depth of flavor and caramel notes.
• Ground Cinnamon: Provides warm, classic pie spice.
• Nutmeg: Adds subtle, complex aromatic flavor.
• Lemon Juice: Prevents apple browning and adds brightness.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.

• Cornstarch: Thickens apple juice and creates smooth filling.
• Egg: Creates golden, shiny crust when used as wash.
• Water: Helps egg wash adhere and create shine.
• Granulated Sugar or Sparkling Sugar: Adds sweet crunch to crust top.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness when dotted on filling.

From Dough to Dessert: Apple Pie Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Apple Filling

• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Salt

Mix ingredients thoroughly.

Step 2: Drain Apple Mixture

Place apples in a large strainer. Cover with plastic wrap. Position over a basin to collect juices. Let drain for 1-2 hours.

Step 3: Create Pie Crust Dough

• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Sugar

Pulse ingredients. Add cold butter and process until mixture resembles coarse meal. Gradually add cold water until dough forms. Add more water if needed.

Step 4: Shape Pie Crust

Transfer dough to work surface. Form into a ball. Divide into 2 equal portions (335 grams each). Flatten each into a circle. Wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Step 5: Roll Out Bottom Crust

Remove 1 dough portion from refrigerator. Place on floured surface. Roll into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer to a 9-inch pie pan. Trim excess dough.

Step 6: Prepare Top Crust

Roll second dough portion into a 12-inch circle. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate.

Step 7: Create Apple Juice Reduction

Pour collected apple juice into a saucepan. Boil for 1 minute over medium-high heat. In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch with 1/2-water. Whisk into apple juices. Return to heat. Boil until transparent (1-2 minutes). Cool to room temperature.

Step 8: Combine Apple Filling

Mix drained apple slices with cooled juice mixture. Transfer to pie crust. Dot with butter pieces.

Step 9: Add Top Crust

Gently place top crust over filling. Tuck excess dough under bottom crust. Crimp edges. Cut 5 steam vents (2-inch slits from center to edge).

Step 10: Prepare for Baking

Preheat oven to 425°F. Place baking sheet on lower rack. Whisk egg with water. Brush pie with egg wash. Sprinkle with granulated or sparkling sugar.

Step 11: Bake Pie

Bake for 45-55 minutes until pastry is golden and filling bubbles. Cover edges with foil after 30 minutes to prevent over-browning.

Step 12: Cool and Serve

Let pie cool on wire rack for 3-4 hours before slicing.

Insider Tips for a Perfect Apple Pie

• Preserve Golden Perfection: Brush egg wash on top for a stunning, professional-looking crust that gleams with richness.
• Protect Delicate Edges: Wrap aluminum foil around pie borders after 30 minutes of baking to prevent burning and ensure even browning.
• Release Steam Strategically: Create artistic slits on the top crust to allow hot air escape, preventing soggy bottoms and maintaining crisp texture.
• Rest and Settle: Patience rewards you – let pie cool completely for 3-4 hours, allowing filling to set and flavors to develop intensely.
• Freeze for Flakiness: Refrigerate pie crust for one full hour before baking, guaranteeing a tender, melt-in-your-mouth pastry that crumbles beautifully.

Keep It Fresh: Storing Your Apple Pie

• Freezer Method: Protect your pie's delicate flavor and texture by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap, then add a layer of aluminum foil. Seal out any potential freezer burn and preserve the pie's freshness for up to 3 months. Perfect for make-ahead desserts or saving a slice of celebration.
• Refrigerator Method: Slide your leftover apple pie into an airtight container or cover it securely with plastic wrap. Enjoy the sweet, spiced goodness within 3 days, keeping the crust crisp and filling delectable. Quick and easy storage that maintains the pie's homemade charm.
• Counter Method: Allow freshly baked apple pie to cool completely at room temperature for 2-4 hours. Keep it loosely covered with a clean kitchen towel to prevent condensation while maintaining the perfect flaky crust.

Apple Pie Remixed: Fun Variations

• Caramel Apple Fusion: Drizzle homemade caramel sauce between apple layers for a rich, sweet undertone. Sprinkle chopped pecans for extra crunch and depth of flavor.
• Spiced Chai Infusion: Replace ground cinnamon with chai spice blend. Add cardamom, ginger, and cloves to create a warming, aromatic pie that tingles taste buds.
• Rustic Bourbon Apple Creation: Soak apple slices in bourbon before mixing with sugar. Incorporate a splash of bourbon into the apple juice reduction for a complex, adult-friendly dessert.
• Maple Walnut Transformation: Substitute some white sugar with pure maple syrup. Fold chopped walnuts into the filling and sprinkle maple sugar on top for a nutty, woodland-inspired pie.

Final Slice: Apple Pie Wrap-Up

Classic apple pie recipes embody pure culinary nostalgia with roots deep in American kitchen traditions.

Perfecting this timeless dessert requires patience, precision, and passion for baking.

Generations of home cooks have cherished similar techniques passed down through family cookbooks.

Crisp pastry layers embrace soft apple slices infused with warm spices, creating sensory memories that connect people.

Carefully constructed pie crusts and macerated fruit transform simple ingredients into extraordinary experiences.

Baker’s dedication shines through each carefully crimped edge and golden-brown surface – you’ll want to savor every delectable bite, share this recipe with loved ones, and celebrate the sweet magic of homemade comfort.

Apple Pie Delight: Why You’ll Crave It

• Savor Slow-Developed Flavors: The apple pie recipe transforms simple ingredients through a patient maceration process, allowing apple juices to concentrate and develop deep, complex taste profiles that elevate the entire dessert experience.
• Master Precise Baking Techniques: This recipe teaches professional-level pastry skills like creating perfectly flaky crust, managing butter temperature, and understanding how gluten relaxation contributes to tender, delicate pastry texture.
• Enjoy Customizable Comfort Dessert: With straightforward steps and room for personal tweaks like sugar variations or spice adjustments, this apple pie becomes a versatile classic that welcomes both novice bakers and experienced home cooks to create something deliciously personal.
• Experience Rewarding Culinary Patience: The five-hour preparation time might seem long, but each careful step – from draining apple juices to chilling dough – builds layers of flavor and ensures a spectacular, restaurant-quality dessert that makes every minute worthwhile.

Joy Of Cooking Apple Pie Recipe

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• Total Time: 4 hours
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Classic Apple Pie celebrates autumn’s sweet bounty with layers of caramelized Granny Smith apples nestled in a buttery, flaky crust. Warm spices and a golden lattice top create a nostalgic dessert that welcomes you to savor each comforting, homemade bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 3 pounds (1.3 kg) tart apples
• 2 ⅔ cups (350 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (225 grams) unsalted butter, chilled
• 1 large (50 grams) egg

Sugar and Spices:

• ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated white sugar
• ⅓ cup (65 grams) light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons (30 grams) granulated white sugar

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoon (1 gram) salt
• 1 teaspoon (4 grams) kosher salt
• 1 ½ tablespoons (15 grams) cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons (25 grams) butter, cut into small pieces
• ½ – 1 tablespoon water
• ¼ to ½ cup (60 – 120 ml) icy cold filtered water
• 1 teaspoon water

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Instructions

1. Prepare apple slices in a spacious mixing vessel, coating them thoroughly with lemon juice to prevent browning.
2. Incorporate granulated and brown sugars, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt, ensuring even distribution across the apple pieces.
3. Position the seasoned apples in a large colander, covering with plastic wrap, and suspend over a deep bowl to collect escaping liquid.
4. Allow apple mixture to macerate for 1–2 hours, releasing natural juices and intensifying flavor.
5. Create pie dough by combining all-purpose flour, salt, and sugar in a food processor.
6. Incorporate cold unsalted butter, pulsing until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
7. Gradually introduce cold water, processing until the dough coheres when gently pressed together.
8. Transfer dough onto a clean work surface, forming a unified mass.
9. Divide the dough into two equal portions (approximately 335 grams or 12 ounces each).
10. Flatten each portion into a circular shape, wrap individually in plastic, and refrigerate for one hour to relax gluten and solidify butter.
11. Remove one dough portion, placing it on a lightly floured surface.
12. Roll the dough into a 12-inch (30 centimeters) round, rotating periodically to ensure uniform thickness and prevent sticking.
13. Carefully transfer the dough to a 9-inch (23 centimeters) pie dish, trimming excess edges.
14. Repeat rolling process with the second dough portion, positioning on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
15. After maceration, collect approximately 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) of apple liquid.
16. Transfer juice to a saucepan and reduce over medium-high heat for one minute.
17. In a separate small bowl, thoroughly blend cornstarch with water to create a smooth slurry.
18. Integrate cornstarch mixture into the apple juices, returning to heat and stirring until the liquid becomes translucent.
19. Allow the sauce to cool to room temperature.
20. Combine cooled sauce with drained apple slices in a large mixing bowl.
21. Gently transfer the apple filling into the prepared bottom crust, dotting with small butter pieces.
22. Carefully drape the top crust over the filling, trimming and crimping edges to seal.
23. Create five 2-inch (5 centimeters) steam vents radiating from the pie’s center.
24. Prepare an egg wash by whisking egg with water.
25. Brush the pie’s surface with egg wash and sprinkle with granulated or sparkling sugar.
26. Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C), positioning a baking sheet on the lower rack.
27. Bake for 45–55 minutes, covering the edges with foil after 30 minutes to prevent excessive browning.
28. Remove from oven and allow the pie to cool completely on a wire rack for 3–4 hours before serving.

Notes

• Cooling transforms the filling’s texture, allowing flavors to meld and set perfectly.
• Resting prevents filling from running when sliced, creating clean, picture-perfect wedges.
• Protecting crust edges stops burning while ensuring even, golden-brown coloration.
• Creating strategic steam vents helps pastry maintain crisp, light structure during baking.
• Refrigerating dough develops rich, tender layers with remarkable flaky consistency.

• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 410 kcal
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 290 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg