Say hello to the Best Apple Pie you’ll ever bake. This classic recipe channels all the comfort of Grandma’s apple pie, made with real apples, a golden double crust, and a secret technique—precooked filling—that transforms every slice into pure autumn magic. Whether you’re making this for a holiday gathering or just a cozy weekend treat, it’s a crowd-pleaser through and through.
Why You’ll Love This Traditional Apple Pie
🍏 Apple Pie with Real Apples: No canned shortcuts here—just fresh, crisp apples sliced and spiced to perfection.
🥧 Apple Pie Recipe Precooked Apples: Cooked filling means perfect texture, no soggy crust, and rich, concentrated flavor.
👵 Grandma’s Touch: A flaky, buttery crust and warm cinnamon aroma make this feel like home.
📝 Step-by-Step Apple Pie Recipe: Foolproof instructions so anyone can master it.
❤️ Versatile Dessert: Reimagine as apple pie bars, apple and pear pie, or even pumpkin apple pie hybrids.
Time & Servings
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 1 hr 20 mins
Cooling Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: ~5 hrs 40 mins
Yields: 10 servings
Ingredients
1 homemade double pie crust
5 lbs fresh apples (Granny Smith, Gala, Golden Delicious combo)
2 tbsp lemon juice + ¼ tsp lemon zest
¾ cup brown sugar
¾ cup granulated sugar
5 tbsp flour
1½ tsp cinnamon
¾ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp cardamom (optional but delicious)
¼ tsp kosher salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp milk or egg wash
Raw sugar for topping
How to Make the Best Homemade Apple Pie
1. Slice & Cook the Apples
Peel and thinly slice apples to ⅛ inch. Add to a skillet with lemon juice and zest. Mix in sugars, flour, spices, and salt. Cook covered on medium for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender but not mushy. Stir in vanilla.
2. Cool the Filling
Spread apple mixture onto a baking sheet. Chill in the fridge or freezer until completely cooled. This keeps your crust crisp.
3. Roll Out & Fill
Line a 9-inch pie dish with your bottom crust. Add cooled apple filling. Top with a full crust or lattice. Seal edges and cut vents if using a full top.
4. Chill Again
Place the entire pie in the fridge for 20–30 minutes before baking.
5. Bake
Preheat oven to 425°F. Bake for 15 mins. Lower temp to 350°F, cover crust edges with foil, and bake another 40–45 mins. Look for a bubbling filling and golden crust.
6. Let It Set
Cool on a rack for at least 3–4 hours to allow filling to firm up for clean slices.
Tips for the Best Apple Pie Ever
✅ Precook filling to lock in texture and flavor. No more watery, raw pies!
✅ Use a blend of apples for complexity: tart (Granny Smith), sweet (Gala), and balanced (Golden Delicious).
✅ Add cardamom for an unexpected but subtle spice boost.
✅ Let it cool completely—you’ll be rewarded with picture-perfect slices.
Apple Pie Variations to Try
One Crust Apple Pie: Leave the top off for a rustic finish.
Apple Bars with Pie Crust: Cut into squares for portable treats.
Apple and Pear Pie: Swap in some pears for a fresh twist.
Pumpkin Apple Pie: Add a thin pumpkin layer for holiday flair.
Apple Pie Brownies: Use the filling between blondie layers for a fun dessert mashup.
Final Slice
This Apple Pie Recipe Homemade is the one you’ll return to again and again. It’s easy, nostalgic, and endlessly adaptable—proof that the best desserts are the ones made with real fruit, real butter, and lots of heart. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream or drizzle it with caramel for the ultimate comfort bite. This is more than just dessert—it’s Grandma’s best apple pie, passed down with love.
Print
Grandma’s Best Apple Pie Recipe 🍎 | Made with Real Apples & Homemade Love
- Total Time: 5 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
Description
This is the apple pie recipe you’ve been waiting for—made with real apples, a flaky homemade crust, and a secret twist: precooked filling for the richest, most reliable texture. It’s Grandma’s best apple pie, and it tastes like home in every bite.
Ingredients
- 1 homemade double pie crust
- 5 lbs fresh apples (Granny Smith, Gala, Golden Delicious combo)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice + ¼ tsp lemon zest
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 5 tbsp flour
- 1½ tsp cinnamon
- ¾ tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp cardamom (optional)
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp milk or egg wash
- Raw sugar for topping
Instructions
- Peel and slice apples to ⅛ inch. In a skillet, cook apples with lemon juice, zest, sugars, flour, spices, and salt on medium for 20 minutes until tender. Stir in vanilla.
- Spread apple mixture on a baking sheet and chill until fully cooled.
- Line a 9-inch pie dish with bottom crust. Add cooled filling and top with a second crust or lattice. Seal edges and cut vents if using full top.
- Chill the assembled pie for 20–30 minutes before baking.
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Bake 15 minutes, then reduce to 350°F. Cover edges with foil and bake another 40–45 minutes until bubbling and golden.
- Cool on a rack for at least 3–4 hours before slicing.
Notes
Precooking the filling ensures rich flavor and no soggy crust. Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for depth. Add cardamom for warm, spiced notes. Cool fully before cutting for clean slices.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: apple pie recipe homemade, apple pie with real apples, apple pie recipe precooked apples, grandma’s apple pie, apple bars with pie crust