Few desserts evoke feelings of warmth, nostalgia, and comfort quite like a Classic Apple Pie with Flaky Butter Crust. From the first scent of cinnamon and baked apples wafting through your kitchen to that perfect, golden-brown lattice crust fresh out of the oven — this dessert is a timeless American classic that never fails to delight.

This pie features tender, juicy apples infused with cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar, all encased in a perfectly buttery, crisp, and flaky pastry crust. Whether you serve it at a holiday table, Sunday family dinner, or casual gathering, this pie brings people together around the comforting flavors of home.

Why I Love This Recipe

I absolutely love this recipe because it captures the soul of home baking. The combination of buttery pastry and spiced apple filling is pure perfection — warm, fragrant, and slightly tangy from the apples, with just the right amount of sweetness.

The crust is my favorite part: buttery and flaky, made from scratch with simple ingredients but yielding bakery-quality results.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

• Timeless Classic: No dessert defines comfort food better than a homemade apple pie.
• Perfect Balance of Flavors: Tart apples, sweet brown sugar, and warm spices blend beautifully.
• From-Scratch Crust: Learning to make a flaky butter crust is a fundamental baking skill.
• Crowd Favorite: Ideal for holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or even a cozy weekend treat.
• Customizable: You can play with spices, apple varieties, or toppings to make it your own.

This pie isn’t just dessert — it’s a tradition, a celebration, and a memory in the making.

Preparation and Cooking Details

• Preparation Time: 45 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling time for dough)
• Cooking Time: 50–60 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Servings: 8 slices
• Course: Dessert
• Cuisine: American
• Calories: Approximately 420 calories per slice

Ingredients

For the Flaky Butter Crust:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp granulated sugar
• 6–8 tbsp ice water

For the Apple Filling:

• 6–7 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and sliced
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (to thicken)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground allspice (optional)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For Assembly:

• 1 tbsp cold butter, cut into small pieces (for dotting)
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 1 tbsp milk or cream (for egg wash)
• 1 tbsp coarse sugar (optional, for topping)

Cooking Directions

Step 1: Make the Pie Crust

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar.
2. Add cold butter cubes and use a pastry cutter (or your fingers) to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until dough just comes together.
4. Divide dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Step 2: Prepare the Apple Filling

1. In a large bowl, combine sliced apples, sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, salt, lemon juice, and vanilla.
2. Toss well to coat evenly and let sit for 10–15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 3: Assemble the Pie

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. On a floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to fit a 9-inch pie pan.
3. Place crust in the pan and trim excess dough hanging over the sides.
4. Spoon apple mixture into the crust and dot with small butter pieces.
5. Roll out the second dough disc and place over the filling (or cut strips to make a lattice top).
6. Trim and crimp the edges to seal. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired.

Step 4: Bake

1. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 375°F (190°C).
2. Bake for an additional 30–40 minutes, until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbly.
3. If edges brown too quickly, cover them with aluminum foil.

Step 5: Cool

Let the pie cool for at least 2 hours before slicing. This allows the filling to set properly.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

1. Prepare and chill the dough.
2. Mix the apple filling and let it rest.
3. Roll out the bottom crust and fit it into the pie pan.
4. Add the apple mixture and dot with butter.
5. Add top crust (solid or lattice).
6. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle sugar.
7. Bake until golden and bubbly.
8. Cool before serving for perfect slices.

How to Serve

Serve your classic apple pie warm or at room temperature, with one of the following:

• A scoop of vanilla ice cream
• A dollop of freshly whipped cream
• A drizzle of warm caramel sauce

For special occasions, dust the top with powdered sugar or cinnamon just before serving.

Recipe Tips

• Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for the best flavor and texture.
• Keep your butter and water very cold to ensure a flaky crust.
• Chill your dough and filling before baking for better structure.
• Let the pie rest before slicing to prevent a runny filling.
• Reheat slices in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes for that “freshly baked” warmth.

Variations

1. Caramel Apple Pie:
   Add 1/4 cup caramel sauce to the apple filling for extra richness.
2. Dutch Apple Pie:
   Replace the top crust with a buttery crumble topping made of flour, sugar, butter, and oats.
3. Maple Cinnamon Apple Pie:
   Replace part of the sugar with 2 tbsp maple syrup and add a touch more cinnamon for warmth.
4. Mini Hand Pies:
   Use the same recipe to make individual pies — perfect for parties and easy serving.
5. Gluten-Free Version:
   Substitute the flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend and add 1/2 tsp xanthan gum.

Freezing and Storage

• Storage: Cover and store leftover pie at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freezing (Unbaked): Assemble the pie, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding about 15 extra minutes to baking time.
• Freezing (Baked): Let pie cool completely, then wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and warm in the oven before serving.

Special Equipment Needed

• 9-inch pie pan
• Rolling pin
• Pastry cutter or food processor
• Pastry brush
• Cooling rack
• Sharp paring knife (for apple prep)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the best apples to use for apple pie?
A mix of Granny Smith (for tartness) and Honeycrisp or Fuji (for sweetness) gives the best flavor and texture.

Q2: Why is my crust soggy on the bottom?
Preheat your oven properly and bake on the lower rack for the first 20 minutes. You can also brush the bottom crust with egg white before adding filling to create a moisture barrier.

Q3: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the pie dough up to 3 days ahead and store it in the refrigerator, or freeze it for up to 3 months.

Q4: How do I know when the pie is done baking?
The crust should be golden brown, and the filling should bubble through the vents or lattice.

Q5: Can I skip the egg wash?
You can, but the egg wash gives your crust a shiny, golden finish and helps the sugar stick.

Conclusion

This Classic Apple Pie with Flaky Butter Crust is more than just a dessert — it’s a symbol of warmth, comfort, and tradition. Each bite is a perfect combination of buttery layers and spiced apple filling that melts in your mouth. Whether served at a festive dinner or a quiet afternoon with coffee, this pie transforms simple ingredients into something truly special.

It’s a timeless recipe every baker should have in their repertoire — simple to make, endlessly satisfying, and always a crowd favorite.