Description
This Classic Baked Spiced Apple Pie recipe features a flaky, buttery crust filled with a warm, aromatic apple mixture spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Perfectly sweetened and with a golden-brown finish, this pie is an ideal dessert for cozy gatherings or holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Pie Crust
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and diced
- 6 to 8 tablespoons ice water
Filling
- 6 to 8 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Egg Wash
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to preheat at 425°F (220°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking your pie crust and filling.
- Make Pie Dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Add chilled diced butter and blend using a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until dough forms. Divide dough into two balls, wrap with plastic wrap, and chill for at least one hour.
- Prepare Apple Filling: In a separate large bowl, toss sliced apples with granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cornstarch, vanilla extract, and lemon juice until evenly coated.
- Roll Out Bottom Crust: Lightly flour your work surface and roll out one dough ball to fit a 9-inch pie pan. Transfer the dough into the pan and trim any excess edges.
- Add Filling: Pour the apple mixture into the crust-lined pie pan and scatter small pieces of butter on top of the filling.
- Roll Out Top Crust and Seal: Roll out the second dough ball and place it over the apples. Trim any extra dough, then seal and crimp the edges to secure the pie. Cut several small slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Apply Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk egg yolk with milk and brush this mixture evenly over the top crust to create a golden, glossy finish.
- Bake the Pie: Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes at 425°F (220°C). Then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake for an additional 35 to 45 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the apples are tender.
- Cool Before Serving: Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan on a wire rack. This helps the filling set for easier slicing and enhances the flavors.
Notes
- For best texture, use a mix of tart and sweet apple varieties like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp.
- Ensure the butter is very cold before mixing to achieve a flaky crust.
- Do not overwork the dough to prevent toughness.
- Let the pie cool completely before slicing to allow the filling to set properly.
- Use ice water to keep the dough cold and maintain its flakiness.
