Apple Pie

The quintessential American dessert, a homemade apple pie is a symbol of comfort and tradition. This recipe delivers everything you could want: a flaky, all-butter crust that shatters with each bite, and a generous filling of tender, spiced apples. The key to a great pie is the contrast between the sweet, cinnamon-scented filling and the rich, buttery pastry. Making your own crust is worth the effort, and this recipe guides you through it. Perfect for a holiday gathering, a Sunday dinner, or any time you need a taste of home, a slice of this warm apple pie served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream is pure bliss. The choice of apples is important; a mix of a firm, tart apple like Granny Smith and a sweeter, softer apple like Honeycrisp will give you a filling that holds its shape but is also tender and has a complex flavor. The all-butter crust is what makes this pie truly special. The secret to a flaky crust is to keep the butter cold and in small, pea-sized pieces. These little pockets of butter will melt in the oven, creating steam that separates the layers of dough, resulting in a light and flaky texture. Chilling the dough is a crucial step that allows the gluten to relax and the butter to firm up, making the dough easier to roll out and contributing to its flakiness.