Indulge in a classic dessert recipe with the flavors of our Old Fashioned Apple Pie recipe! With a buttery crust and tender cinnamon-spiced apples, this will quickly become your favorite apple pie recipe!

Few desserts capture the spirit of classic comfort and homestyle baking quite like an old-fashioned apple pie.

With a golden flaky pie crust and a generous filling of tender apples, cinnamon, and sugar, this recipe for old fashioned apple pie has been a beloved favorite for generations.

This classic recipe is the epitome of comfort and tradition.

If you want to indulge in the classic flavors of the best old-fashioned apple pie recipe, look no further.

Whether you’re an experienced baker or a novice in the kitchen, our step-by-step guide will take you through the process of creating the best apple pie from scratch.

Apple pie a go-to dessert for during apple season and holidays not only like Thanksgiving, but the
4th of July, summer BBQ‘s and special occasions too!

How to Make an Old Fashioned Apple Pie

If you scroll down, I have created a printable recipe for you, which includes ingredients and instructions and affiliate links for recommended products.

Ingredients

Ready to bake pie dough at room temperature, you want a nice buttery pie crust – Whether you choose store bought or a homemade pie crust is up to you.
white sugar
a little flour (all purpose flour)
cinnamon, nutmeg, salt
Apple slices of 8 apples or Homemade Apple Pie Filling
cold butter (unsalted butter)
lemon juice
a large mixing bowl
9-inch pie plate
rolling pin

Instructions

Pre heat oven to 425 degrees F. Place a baking sheet in the oven while it preheats.

In a small bowl, prepare the flour mixture: flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.

To make your apple filling, Combine apples in the flour, mix in the lemon juice in a large bowl.

On a clean lightly floured surface, roll out one of the pie crusts and carefully transfer it to a 9-inch pie plate as the bottom crust.

Press the crust gently against the bottom and sides of the plate.

Pour the seasoned apple pie filling into the pie crust, spreading it out evenly. Dot the top of the apples with small pieces of unsalted butter.

Roll out the second crust and place it over the apples.

You can either use the entire crust to cover the pie or create a lattice design by cutting strips with a pastry cutter or sharp knife and weaving them together, alternating horizontally then vertically.

Trim any excess dough hanging over the edge of the pie plate and press the edges of the top and bottom crusts together to seal.

Brush the top crust with an egg wash of 1 egg yolk + a tablespoon of milk or ice water for a beautiful golden finish.

Sprinkle the crust with a light coating of sugar.

Cut a few slits or decorative patterns on top of the crust to act as steam vents.

Place pie in the oven for a total bake time of about 40-50 minutes, until your crust is golden brown and the apple juices are bubbling.

If the crust starts to brown too quickly, you can cover it loosely with aluminum foil.

Once the pie is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours.

This cooling time allows the filling to set and prevents it from being too runny when sliced.

Serve baked pie warm or at room temperature, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Try These Apple Recipes:

What Are the Best Apples to Make an Apple Pie with?

The best apple varieties for making an apple pie are those that strike a balance between sweet and tart flavors and hold their shape well during baking. You can use a single type of apple or a combination of apples for a well-rounded and delicious pie filling. There are a variety of apples that are commonly used and recommended for apple pie:

Known for their tartness and firm texture, Granny Smith apples are a classic choice for apple pie. They hold their shape well when baked and offer a nice contrast to the sweetness of the pie filling.
Honeycrisp apples have a pleasing balance of sweetness and tartness, making them an excellent choice for apple pie. They are juicy and crisp, adding a delightful texture to the pie.
Jonagold apples combine the flavors of Jonathan and Golden Delicious apples, offering a wonderful blend of sweet and tart. They are also firm and hold up nicely in baking.
Braeburn apples have a complex flavor with both sweet and tart notes, making them a flavorful addition to apple pie. They are firm and retain their shape well during baking.
Fuji apples are sweet and juicy, making them a great choice for those who prefer a sweeter apple pie. While they may soften more during baking, they still provide a delightful taste and texture.
Cortland apples are mildly sweet and slightly tart, making them a good all-purpose apple for pie-making. They are also known for not browning quickly, which is beneficial when preparing the apple slices.
Empire apples have a good balance of sweetness and tartness, making them suitable for apple pie. They are crisp and hold up well in the oven.

How to Cut Apples for Apple Pie

Start by peeling the apples using a vegetable peeler. Use an apple corer or a sharp paring knife to remove the apple cores. Slice the apples into even, thin pieces. Aim for sliced apples that are about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Even slices ensure that the apples cook evenly and create a consistent filling.

Can You Freeze Apple Pie?

Yes, you can freeze apple pie to enjoy it at a later time. Here’s how to freeze an apple pie:

Freezing Unbaked Apple Pie:

Assemble the apple pie according to your recipe but do not bake it.
Once the pie is assembled, wrap it tightly with layers of plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn and moisture loss.
Place the wrapped pie in a resealable freezer bag or airtight container to provide additional protection.
Label the container with the date and contents for easy identification.
Store the unbaked apple pie in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Freezing Baked Apple Pie:

Allow the baked apple pie to cool completely to room temperature.
Wrap the pie tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep it airtight.
Place the wrapped pie in a resealable freezer bag or airtight container.
Label the container with the date and contents.
Store the baked apple pie in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Thawing & Reheating

For unbaked apple pie, there’s no need to thaw it before baking. Simply preheat the oven to the temperature specified in your recipe and bake the frozen pie for a few extra minutes until it’s fully cooked and the crust is golden brown.

For baked apple pie, you can thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours. To reheat, place the thawed pie in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 20-30 minutes or until it’s heated through.

Homemade Apple Pie FAQ’s

What is the difference between a Classic Apple Pie and a Dutch Apple Pie?

The only difference between a classic apple pie and a Dutch Apple Pie is the crust. A traditional American-style pastry dough is used for the bottom of most pies, including both types. The key differences are in what you use to top your dessert and how they’re baked!

The classic apple pie is a double crust pie and the Dutch uses a streusel topping of coarse crumbs made out of sugar, flour and melted butter.

How long to bake apple pie at 350?

The baking time for an apple pie in a 350° F oven typically takes around 45 to 60 minutes to bake. To ensure that your apple pie is fully cooked and the crust is golden brown, it’s essential to keep an eye on it as it bakes. After about 30-40 minutes of baking, check the pie’s progress. If the crust is already golden brown, you can loosely cover the pie with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning and continue baking until the filling is bubbly and the apples are tender. The best way to determine if the apple pie is ready is to insert a knife or toothpick into the center of the pie. If the apples are tender, and the knife or toothpick comes out easily, the pie is done baking.

How to tell if apple pie is done?

The crust of the apple pie should be golden brown when it’s fully baked. Look for the filling to be bubbling through any slits or decorative patterns in the top crust. Insert a fork or toothpick into the center of the pie through a vent or gap in the top crust. If the apples are tender and the fork or toothpick comes out easily, the pie is likely done baking.

How long does apple pie last?

An apple pie can be stored at room temperature for about 2 to 3 days. After baking, allow the pie to cool completely, cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and keep it at room temperature.

How long does an apple pie last in the fridge?

If you want to extend the shelf life, you can refrigerate the apple pie. A refrigerated apple pie can last for up to 3 to 4 days. Again, cover the pie with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out or absorbing odors from the fridge.

How to make apple pie less watery?

Here are some tips to make apple pie less watery:

Opt for apples that are known for their firm texture and low moisture content, such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Jonagold. These varieties will release less liquid during baking, helping to keep the pie filling less watery.

Adding a thickening agent like cornstarch, flour, or tapioca to the apple filling can help absorb excess moisture and prevent the filling from becoming too watery.

Precooking the apples slightly before assembling the pie can help release some of the moisture and prevent it from accumulating in the pie during baking. You can sauté the apple slices in a pan with sugar and spices for a few minutes until they start to soften before transferring them to the pie crust.

If the apples release a significant amount of liquid after tossing them with sugar and spices, you can drain off some of the excess liquid before transferring them to the pie crust. This can help reduce the overall liquid content in the pie.

Do not overfill the pie with apples, as too many apples can release excessive moisture during baking. Leave some space between the filling and the top crust to avoid overflow.

Substitute for lemon juice in apple pie?

A little bit of acidity is important in apple pie to help balance the sweetness of the fruit and the dough. Lemon juice is a common choice because it adds a pleasant tartness without overpowering the other flavors. If you don’t have any lemon juice on hand, though, you can use another type of acid like vinegar or lime juice. Just add a teaspoon or so until you get the flavor you’re looking for.

Do you blind bake apple pie crust?

Blind baking the pie crust is not typically necessary for an apple pie. The filling requires sufficient baking time to cook the apples until they are tender and the flavors meld together. The baking time for an apple pie is typically long enough to fully cook the crust as well, resulting in a golden-brown and flaky crust.

How do I keep the crust from burning?

Using aluminum foil or parchment paper, cut a circle the same size as your pie plate, with the center cut out of it. Loosely place it over the top of the pie to cover edges, removing the last 15-20 minutes of baking and give your pie a quarter turn. You can also purchase a pie shield which covers the edges of the pie pan.

Apple pie internal temperature when done?

The internal temperature of an apple pie when it is fully cooked and done baking should reach around 190°F to 200°F.

Old Fashioned Apple Pie Recipe

Yield: 8

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Indulge in a classic dessert recipe with the flavors of our Old Fashioned Apple Pie recipe! With a buttery crust and tender cinnamon-spiced apples, this will quickly become your favorite apple pie recipe!

Ingredients

Ready made Pie Crusts - 2 at room temperature
1/3-2/3 cup sugar
1/4 c all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
dash of salt
8 cups thinly sliced & peeled apples, 8 medium apples -
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 egg
1 tbsp milk or water

Instructions

Preheat to an oven temperature of 425 degrees, lower your oven rack and place a baking sheet on it.

In a small bowl, prepare the flour mixture: flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.

To make your apple filling, toss the apples in the flour, mix in the lemon juice in a large bowl.

On a clean lightly floured work surface, roll out your piece of dough and divide dough.

Lay your bottom crust in your pie dish. Pour in your apple mixture. Cut your butter into small pieces and scatter around the top of the apples. Add the top crust.

Seal your edges by crimping them together with a fork, don't forget to add a few slits in the center of the pie with a sharp knife for venting. (The first time I ever made a pie, we did not do this and let's just say it was a mess).

Brush the top of the crust with an egg wash of 1 egg + a tablespoon of milk or cold water. We like to sprinkle the top with a mixture of a tablespoon of each: coarse sugar and brown sugar.

Place pie in the oven for a total bake time of about 40-50 minutes, until your crust is golden brown and the apple juices are bubbling.

Let pie cool on a wire rack for a minimum of 2 hours.

Notes

How to make the lattice crust:

To make the lattice top, roll out the second pie crust.
With a pastry cutter, cut half inch strips of pie crust, cutting from top to bottom.
Weave the crusts alternating horizontally and then vertically.
You can roll out any excess dough and cut out shapes or designs with a small cookie cutter for a decorative look to your pie.

How to Keep your buttery crust from burning while your pie bakes

What Are the Best Apples to Make an Apple Pie with?

When preparing my apple pie filling, I always have a mixture of tart apples and sweet apples on hand. My favorite choices are Granny Smith Apples for the sour taste in contrast to Golden Delicious that provides an additional sweetness to your pies or tarts.