Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Why it’s great for your cooking channel: Apple pie is a beloved favorite among many, and making it from scratch allows you to showcase essential baking techniques, such as making pie crust and preparing fruit fillings. Viewers will appreciate learning how to achieve the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness in the apple filling, as well as mastering the art of creating a beautiful lattice or decorative pie crust. Plus, the warm, comforting flavors of apple pie are sure to resonate with your audience and evoke feelings of nostalgia and home baking.

Description: Apple pie is a classic dessert loved for its comforting flavors and irresistible aroma. This recipe features a buttery, flaky crust filled with tender, cinnamon-spiced apples, making it the perfect treat for any occasion.

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: 45 minutes

Serving size: Makes one 9-inch pie (approximately 8 servings)

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup ice water
• 6 large apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (use a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp for the best flavor)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (for sprinkling)

Instructions:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
• Gradually add the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing with a wooden spoon or your hands until the dough comes together. Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out one disk of dough on a lightly floured surface to fit a 9-inch pie dish. Transfer the rolled-out dough to the pie dish and trim any excess dough hanging over the edges.
• In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice until well coated. Pour the apple mixture into the prepared pie crust, spreading it out evenly.
• Roll out the second disk of dough and use it to cover the top of the pie. You can either cover the pie entirely or create a lattice pattern with the dough strips.
• Trim and crimp the edges of the pie crust to seal the pie. Brush the top crust with beaten egg and sprinkle with granulated sugar.
• Place the pie on a baking sheet (to catch any drips) and bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
• Allow the pie to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired.