Quick Apple Paradise: Barefoot Contessa’s Deep-dish Pie Recipe

Sweet aromas of cinnamon and butter waft through the kitchen with this Barefoot Contessa deep-dish apple pie recipe that captures autumn’s essence perfectly.

Layers of tender, caramelized apples nestle between flaky, golden pastry, creating a dessert that beckons everyone to the table.

Robust Granny Smith apples provide a tart counterpoint to the rich, buttery crust.

Each slice promises a delectable journey through classic American baking traditions.

The pie boasts a rustic charm that feels both comforting and elegant.

Warm spices and a touch of lemon brighten every mouthwatering bite.

You’ll want to savor this decadent pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and share the delightful experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredient List for Deep-Dish Apple Pie

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the delicate, flaky foundation that holds the pie together with tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Cold Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, layered pastry with stunning golden-brown flakiness and incredible depth of flavor.
• Ice Water: Helps bind the dough without overworking, ensuring a light and crisp crust structure.
• Salt: Enhances the overall pastry taste and balances the butter's richness.

• Granny Smith Apples: Brings tangy, firm texture that holds shape during baking and provides bright, sharp contrast.
• Honeycrisp Apples: Adds natural sweetness and maintains structural integrity with a delightful crunch.
• Granulated Sugar: Caramelizes beautifully, creating deep, rich sweetness throughout the filling.
• Ground Cinnamon: Infuses warm, aromatic essence that complements the apples perfectly.
• Nutmeg: Introduces subtle, sophisticated warmth and complexity to the pie's flavor profile.
• Allspice: Delivers a gentle, rounded spiciness that ties the entire filling together.
• All-Purpose Flour: Thickens the apple juices, preventing a soggy bottom and creating silky filling.

• Large Egg: Produces a stunning golden-brown, glossy crust with beautiful shine.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides delicate, sparkling crunch on the pie's exterior.

Kitchen Tools for Deep-Dish Apple Pie

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining apple filling ingredients and mixing thoroughly.
• Sharp knife: Perfect for cutting apples into precise thirds.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Rolling pin: Necessary for rolling out pie crusts evenly.
• 9-inch pie dish: Ideal for creating deep-dish apple pie.
• Pastry brush: Used for applying egg wash to pie crust.
• Baking tray: Placed under pie to catch any drips during baking.
• Zester or grater: Helpful for creating citrus zests.
• Fork or crimping tool: Optional for creating decorative pie edges.

How to Make Deep-Dish Apple Pie at Home

Homemade Apple Pie Magic

• Pie Dough Foundation

Prepare a delightful pastry base that will cradle your apple filling with tender love and flaky perfection.

• Apple Adventure

Select crisp, juicy apples and slice them into delicate pieces, creating a symphony of sweet and tangy flavors.

• Spice Symphony

Blend warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and a whisper of allspice to transform your simple apples into a fragrant masterpiece.

• Crust Crafting

Gently roll out your pastry dough, draping it into a welcoming pie dish with graceful edges that promise deliciousness.

• Filling Embrace

Pour your spiced apple mixture into the waiting crust, letting each slice nestle comfortably against its neighbors.

• Decorative Top

Crown your pie with a second layer of pastry, creating artistic vents that will release steam and showcase your baking artistry.

• Golden Transformation

Brush the top with a golden egg wash and sprinkle a touch of sugar, then bake until the crust turns a beautiful amber and the filling bubbles with excitement.

• Delicious Rest

Allow your pie to cool slightly, letting the flavors meld and intensify before serving a slice of pure comfort.

Tips to Elevate Deep-Dish Apple Pie Flavor

• Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for maximum flavor and texture that holds up beautifully during baking.
• Chill your pie dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling to ensure a flaky, tender crust that doesn't shrink or tear during baking.
• Experiment with fresh ground spices instead of pre-ground ones to elevate the pie's aromatic complexity and create a more vibrant taste profile.
• Prepare the entire pie up to the point of baking, then wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months – a brilliant strategy for stress-free entertaining or surprise desserts.
• Complement the warm pie with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream to transform this classic dessert into an extraordinary culinary experience.

How to Plate Deep-Dish Apple Pie

• Pair with Creamy Delight: Serve a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside the warm pie, letting the cold, smooth ice cream melt slightly into the hot, spiced apple filling.
• Create a Cozy Breakfast: Transform leftover pie slices into a delightful morning treat by warming them up and enjoying with a hot cup of cinnamon coffee or fresh-pressed apple cider.
• Design an Elegant Dessert Plate: Dust the pie slice with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar, add a small mint leaf for color, and place a dollop of fresh whipped cream on the side for an Instagram-worthy presentation.
• Host a Comfort Food Gathering: Serve the pie as the centerpiece of a rustic autumn dinner, accompanied by warm mugs of spiced tea and soft blankets for a memorable family evening.

Deep-Dish Apple Pie Storage Tips

• Maximize Freshness: Store the apple pie in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, ensuring the crust stays crisp and flavors remain vibrant.
• Refrigerate with Care: Extend the pie's life by storing in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, covering loosely with aluminum foil to prevent moisture buildup and maintain texture.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap the entire pie or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, keeping in the freezer for up to 3 months without losing its delectable taste and texture.
• Revive and Enjoy: Warm refrigerated or frozen pie slices in a preheated oven at 175°C (350°F) for 10-15 minutes to restore that just-baked crispness and mouthwatering aroma.

Rustic Barefoot Contessa Deep-dish Apple Pie Recipe

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4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s deep-dish apple pie combines classic American comfort with rustic charm. Layers of tender apples, buttery crust, and warm spices promise a delightful dessert that will satisfy any sweet craving.

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Ingredients

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• 1.8 kg (4 lbs) Granny Smith apples, peeled, quartered, and cored
• 375 g (3 cups) plain flour
• 170 g (1½ sticks) very cold unsalted butter
• 75 g (⅓ cup) very cold vegetable shortening
• 100 g (½ cup) sugar, plus 1 tsp for sprinkling
• 30 g (¼ cup) plain flour
• 6–8 tbsps (120 ml / 4 fl oz) ice water
• 1 egg, beaten with 1 tbsp water
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tbsp sugar
• ¾ tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ⅛ tsp ground allspice
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Zest of 1 orange
• 2 tbsps freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) | 400°F, positioning the rack in the center for even heat distribution.
2. Apple Filling: Slice apples into thin wedges, then toss with citrus zest, fruit juices, sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, ensuring each slice is thoroughly coated with the aromatic seasoning.
3. Crust Assembly: Gently lay the first pastry layer into the pie dish, allowing a slight overhang, then carefully pour the seasoned apple mixture, spreading it evenly across the base.
4. Topping and Sealing: Brush the bottom crust’s edge with egg wash, place the second pastry layer on top, trimming and crimping the edges to create a seamless, decorative border that locks in the fragrant filling.
5. Finishing Touches: Generously coat the pie’s surface with egg wash, sprinkle with sugar, and create strategic steam vents by making 4-5 delicate slits across the top crust.
6. Baking: Position the pie on a sturdy baking tray and bake for 1-1¼ hours, rotating midway to ensure a uniformly golden-brown crust with bubbling, caramelized edges.
7. Resting: Remove from the oven and allow the pie to cool slightly, letting the flavors meld and intensify before serving while still warm and inviting.

Notes

• Slice Apples Precisely: Cut each apple quarter into three uniform pieces for consistent texture and even cooking throughout the pie.
• Spice Balance Matters: Combine cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice carefully to create a harmonious flavor profile that enhances the natural sweetness of apples.
• Protect Pie Edges: Wrap aluminum foil around the crust edges halfway through baking to prevent over-browning and ensure a perfectly golden crust.
• Steam Vents are Critical: Make 4-5 strategic cuts on the top crust to allow steam escape, preventing a soggy bottom and maintaining a crisp pastry texture.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg