There is nothing like homemade apple pie!
The love she put into her baking was extraordinary and I feel the same when I bake for my family.
I reminiscence on all those great baking years with her.
Although many years have passed without her, I rekindled many beautiful days using mom's recipe and know she is with me watching.
This is one of her best pie recipes, which I want to share with you, hope you will enjoy it as much as we do.
It's so hard smelling this bake and not wanting to dig right in!
When we go home to visit my hometown (Utica, New York), we always make a special trip to the Orchards to buy our apples.
Our favorite kind is McIntosh for making pies.
They're a little tart but the perfect baking apple in my opinion but you choose whatever you like!
When I see them hit the stores in Florida, I am like a kid in a candy store and I miss our Utica, fall foods, and fruits.
Scroll down to see why this is the best apple pie recipe ever!
Homemade is the best!
We had trees growing in the backyard of McIntosh apples, a favorite tart apple that made the best pies, but they weren't always kept up every year and needed lots of care.
Lucky for us we had an abundance of apples to choose from being from Upstate New York to purchase.
Mom made so many fresh apple recipes, but this pie was a must-have every fall during apple season.
Just thinking about it makes my mouth water for some.
Tips:
- always use baking apples
- substitute water for a favorite liquor for a different flavor, nut flavors are the best
- do not overwork the dough once it holds together
- use fork tines to crimp edges to seal the top crust
- always preheat the oven before baking the pie
- poke holes on the top of the crust for the pie to have steam escape
- place the pie on a cookie sheet lined with foil or parchment paper for spillovers
Central New York Style Pies
My hometown Utica, New York was notated for great apple orchards.
We would buy bushels of them from the Twin Orchards in New Hartford every year.
There were so many kinds of apples I have a whole list you can use in this APPLE TIPS here.
When there is a holiday like Thanksgiving, I love to dress up my apple pie with some leaf cookie cutters you can find in my Amazon Store link above.
Cinnamon and Sugar
I love this topping on the pie and to make it just a little crunchy on top I add some cinnamon and sugar, milk, and butter and sprinkle it on top before baking.
It just browns perfectly and the leaves look so defined.
Our apple pie homemade just shouts fall dessert.
Keep It Simple
I really don't spend the time crimping the edges like I should, I usually use a fork.
The pie is gone so fast, I concentrate more on the top of the pie to look pretty.
Best Apples To Use
- Honey Crisp
- Granny Smith
- Gala
- Pink Lady
- Northern Spy
- Jonagold
- Braeburn
- Crispin
- Macoun
- Cortland
- Rome
- Mcintosh
Apple Pie Pin for later
Intimidated by Homemade Pie Crust?
I know pie crust can be a little intimidating, but mom's recipe always came out great.
The dough is easy to handle and flaky perfection however if you really aren't in to making homemade pie crust, just use refrigerated pie crust or frozen, it will work just find in a pinch.
Other Fruits You Can Mix In:
- peaches
- blueberries
- raspberries
- pears
- mango
- pineapple
Mix and Match Fruits
Not an apple lover? No problem.
Fresh fruits can be mixed or substituted as above in the list provided.
If you love apples don't miss trying mixing apples with blueberries or berries along with them or just make this basic recipe with another fruit you prefer, it's very versatile.
Tools
- measuring spoons
- bowls
- apple corer
- paring knife
- cookie sheet
- deep-dish pie plate
- fork or crimping tool for the crust
- pastry brush
Other Favorite Pies
Homemade Pumpkin Pie
Mom's Best Lemon Meringue Pie
Boston Cream Pie
Easy Homemade Scratch Pie
One last way to make an apple pie that I love to do.
Make a slab pie in a large rectangular shaped baking pan and actually after it cools drizzle a little powdered sugar and water frosting on top with cinnamon, ( our apple blueberry slab pie are not as thick as a regular deep dish).
Our instructions are step by step just like mom used to make our apple pie the old-fashioned way back in the 1940s, hope you enjoy it as much as our family does.
We would love to hear your comments!
Homemade Apple Pie
Yield: 8
Prep time: 20 MinCook time: 55 MinTotal time: 1 H & 15 M
This is the best homemade apple pie made with fresh Upstate New York apples! Mom's recipe is made with crust and filling from scratch.
Ingredients
- Pie Crust:
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cups shortening
- 4 1/2 tablespoons ice water
- Optional: butter, milk, and cinnamon sugar for the crust see below.
- Apple Filling:
- 1/4 cup of flour (Wondra which is a fine flour works the best that we use)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons of cinnamon or more to taste
- 1/4 cup of water (or use bourbon, amaretto or another liquor you prefer
- 3/4 cup of sugar
- 8 to 10 medium-sized baking apples ( we use McIntosh) peeled, cored, and sliced into large pieces
- 3 tablespoons sliced butter
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg grated or ground
Instructions
- Dough Instructions:
- In a medium-sized bowl add the shortening and flour with salt and using a pastry cutter or fork mix until its sandy looking.
- Add the ice water and mix until it forms a ball.
- Roll out the dough on a floured board and fit into either a 9-inch pie plate deep dish or any other shape you prefer.
- Note: I always use a little oil spray on the pan I am using.
- Brush the bottom of the dough with melted butter.
- Apple Filling:
- In a large bowl add the peeled and sliced apples with cinnamon sugar, water, flour, and butter mix all together.
- Pour into the bottom pie crust.
- Roll out a second crust for the top.
- Optional: Brush with milk, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, dot with cold butter.
- Poke holes on top of the pie with a fork tine.s and sealed the edges by crimping them with the fork also.
- Place the pie on a cookie sheet lined with foil or parchment paper.
- Bake at 350 degrees for around 55 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
- The pie can be served alone, with your favorite ice cream or Wisconsin style is with sharp cheddar cheese.
- Our pie is Central N.Y. State style.
Notes:
Tips:
- always use baking apples
- substitute water for a favorite liquor for a different flavor, nut flavors are the best
- do not overwork the dough once it holds together
- use fork tines to crimp edges to seal the top crust
- always preheat the oven before baking the pie
- poke holes on the top of the crust for the pie to have the steam to escape
- place the pie on a cookie sheet lined with foil or parchment paper for spillovers
Nice pie (the pizza AND the apple!) Woohoo to 2011!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great visit! The pie is pure gold, apple pie is ALWAYS the best one to have for dinner. Happy New Year to you and your family, may your dream of more cooking and family play out in 2011.
ReplyDeleteYou can't go wrong with apple pie! It's a treat that everyone loves! Have a blessed and Happy New Year Claudia! xoxo
ReplyDeleteThat apple pie looks so delicious and I just imagine it fresh out of the oven and warm... ideal for this time of year! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteYour pie looks wonderful...and from that picture of Chad, it must have been delicious!!!
ReplyDeletedelicious apple pie perfect dessert for the cold
ReplyDeleteNow this pie sounds divine! Have a happy new year dear!
ReplyDeleteThe apple pie looks excellent with richly spiced filling!
ReplyDeleteI don't have any NY resolution this year...but I love yours. :-))
Angie
Claudia, I do not understand how your New Year's resolution could be to cook more - you are practically a one-woman restaurant as it is!! lol. Happy happy New Year my friend! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI think apple pie has to be everyones favorite. This one has a beautiful golden color.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Patricia
Apple Pie is always a hit!!! Looks so good and juice!!!Yum!
ReplyDeleteThere's not much of anything better than the classic home made apple pie. Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteI love apple pie, and yours looks incredible!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pie!
ReplyDeleteApple pie...it's a classic. Looks just lovely.
ReplyDeleteGosh Claudia! That pie looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteI'll take a piece with a nice hefty chunk of tomato pie. You can't beat the tomato pie in Upstate NY. :)
Claudia, your Chad looks like a smart young man who enjoys his food, especially those dishes that you prepare! My husband went to school at SUNY Oswego and taught school for his first job on Long Island. He said this is a famous recipe that I must make someday! Thanks for sharing! Love, Roz
ReplyDeletewonderful pie!
ReplyDeleteClaudia, I happily buzzed you on this one. Well done my friend. I am wiping the drool off my computer screen as we speak.
ReplyDeleteI just love how your recipes are so homey,simple and delicious! I'm definitely sticking with this apple pie recipe. I love it!
ReplyDeleteThis does tell a story about how a child brought ingredients to his mom from near and far so he could enjoy her lovely kitchen creations! You should be proud that your son cherishes your cooking so much, but hey I definitely think he is on to many delicious somethings...
ReplyDeleteNow I have the key to another one of your delicious somethings-this lovely apple pie!
I'm so happy that you had such a great visit!
ReplyDeleteI also want apple pie now. This looks great, Claudia. I rarely make home made apple pie for some reason. Maybe I need to start :-)
Oh man, with that much cinnamon, this is heaven for me! I love, love, love apple pie.
ReplyDelete16 years is such a long time!
Love the generous amount of cinnamon. Looks like a real winner! Thanks for supporting local food!!
ReplyDeleteThis pie looks so good, how nice that your son came home and brought such great things he knew you would love. Happy New Year to you and yours :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE apple pie and this certainly looks right up my alley. Congratulations on Top 9 love well done! Sending you lots of air hugs, have a beautiful day Claudia =]
ReplyDeleteOh wow this apple pie looks to die for! Upstate NY apples really are truly delicious =)
ReplyDeleteI need this pie! It sounds perfect!
ReplyDeleteI love apple pie too, but I usually make apple crumble. I never have the confidence to make a pie, but I am going to follow your instructions and give it a go.
ReplyDeleteSharing too!
I love apple pie, it is one of my favorites! Yours looks amazing! The crust color is so perfect!
ReplyDeleteApple Pie is such a great classic! I love that your son brought you a batch of NY apples to enjoy. It looks like he reaped some of the rewards from it too!
ReplyDeleteI love apple pie season! And homemade is always the best!
ReplyDeleteLove this classic apple pie recipe! And you're so right, there's nothing quite like grandma's apple pie!
ReplyDeleteThis is the best homemade apple pie recipes I've seen yet! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSuch an amazing dessert classic! I love how fantastic the smells when it's baking, such a wonderful bonus!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great recipe and I will continue to use it.family and friends love it
ReplyDeleteI used your recipe to teach my grand nephew pie making. It was a delicious success! He was the star of the evening. I will make this pie again.
ReplyDeleteApple Pie, so classic and so delicious. I'll take mine with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream, please
ReplyDeleteOh how I love apple pie. The filling never looks very pretty, but I could care less about that when it's warm out of the oven, and topped with ice cream! Absolutely a classic
ReplyDeleteI love how homey and comforting this pie is. Definitely something I would serve for the holidays.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story. Love apple pie and have not made one is a long time. Cant' wait to try this soon. Sounds delicious
ReplyDeleteWho could resist a good apple pie. It's been a while I made apple pie at home, I wonder why! Your post got me tempted to make apple pie right away at home
ReplyDeleteThat pie looks amazing! I love the big pieces of apple and that delicious blend of sugar and spices. This looks perfect for a holiday table.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, apple pie baking in the oven smells wonderful. And using apples right from an orchard makes that pie extra good. I understand the desire to stock up on all the goodies you miss then take them back to your southern home.
ReplyDeleteNothing beats homemade pie anytime of the year, especially during the holidays!Looks so quick and easy!
ReplyDeleteWow, nothing like homemade apple pie and you nailed this one! Thanks for sharing this fabulous recipe. Gonna send to my sis who is the baker in the family.
ReplyDeleteI love apples since i was a child and no wonder why my favorite pie is an apple pie! What a great flavor!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I've never made an apple pie. Apple pie is delicious and I love the leaf decorations on top!
ReplyDeleteI tried this recipe for the first time today. It was the easiest way to make a delicious apple pie. I will never have to buy a apple pie again. I will continue using this recipe. Thank you so much for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteYou just cannot beat an apple pie at this time of year; it is one of our favourite family desserts.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't get more classic than homemade apple pie! So many different variations when using different types of apples too.
ReplyDeleteI love Apple pies. That cinnamon taste in the apples is heavenly. Yum
ReplyDeleteis that regular sugar or brown sugar, and is that enough sugar?
ReplyDeleteThat is white sugar @jburch, and for me that is, you can taste and apple and see after you add the 3/4 cup if they are sweet enough for your liking. I think its perfect but I hate over sweetened desserts it takes aways from the apple flavor. I have never tried using brown sugar although that may be a good idea too! Hope that helps
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