There’s no dessert quite as comforting or iconic as a homemade apple pie. With its flaky, golden crust, sweet and spiced apple filling, and irresistible aroma that fills the entire house, apple pie is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for any season but especially beloved in the fall.
The key to a great apple pie lies in the apples. Choose a mix of tart and sweet apples, like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, to achieve the perfect balance of flavor and texture. The apples are sliced thinly and tossed in a mixture of sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of lemon juice to brighten the filling. As the pie bakes, the apples soften and meld together into a luscious, sweet filling with just the right amount of spice.
The crust is equally important. A homemade pie crust, made from butter, flour, and a pinch of salt, creates that flaky, tender texture that makes every bite of apple pie irresistible. For extra richness, a touch of sugar can be added to the crust, giving it a slight sweetness that complements the filling.
Baking the pie until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling is a delicate balance, too little, and the apples aren’t soft enough; too much, and the crust could burn. But when done right, the result is a perfect apple pie that’s both comforting and satisfying.
Serve your apple pie warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream for a classic touch. Whether you’re celebrating a holiday, hosting a gathering, or simply indulging in a sweet treat, apple pie never disappoints.

Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2/3 cup unsalted butter cold and cut into cubes
- 5-6 tablespoons ice water
- 6 cups apples sliced
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg ground
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp butter cut into small pieces
- 1 tbsp milk
- 2 tsp granulated sugar
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough comes together. Shape the dough into a disc and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Mix well.
- Roll out half of the pie dough on a lightly floured surface to fit a 9-inch pie pan. Transfer the dough to the pan.
- Pour the apple mixture into the pie crust. Dot the top with small pieces of butter.
- Roll out the remaining pie dough and place it over the filling. Trim and seal the edges. Cut slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
- Brush the top crust with milk and sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Allow the pie to cool before serving.
This came out *so* golden and the filling was nice and bubbly—exactly what I want in an apple pie. I did add a tiny pinch more cinnamon because I’m that person 😅
Yes!! Golden top and bubbly filling is the whole vibe 😍 I always add cinnamon too—great call.
This turned out so cozy! The cinnamon + nutmeg combo smells unreal while it bakes. I did need an extra splash of ice water but only slightly—still easy. Great crust too.
Mine turned out a little too runny even though the filling was “bubbly.” I think I under-measured the cornstarch or my apples were extra juicy. Still tasted amazing though—will try again.
Runny pie is the worst 😩 but “bubbly” can fool you. I’d try using less ice water in the crust (sometimes dough bakes differently) and definitely give the apples a good toss + let them sit 5-10 min to draw out juices before filling.
That’s usually the cornstarch/apples moisture combo! If you use really juicy apples, I bump the cornstarch a bit more (and make sure the filling *really* comes to a thick bubble on the stove next time). Glad it still tasted amazing though—apple pie is forgiving like that 😊
5 stars for sure! Love how simple it is to make! My kids loved it too, gobbled it up in minutes!
Honestly the recipe is solid, but I’m confused: it says 1 tbsp butter and also says dot the top—so do I melt it? I just used small cubes and it worked, but the wording threw me off.
I don’t get the cornstarch amount. It didn’t thicken as much as I expected—more like a glaze than a thick filling.
I followed the recipe but my pie ended up too watery. Did anyone else have this issue? I think I used too many apples.
So good, my whole family loved it! Apple pie for life! 🙂
425°F for 40-45 mins felt a little too hot for my oven. The crust got brown fast and I was worried the inside wouldn’t set, but the filling did bubble eventually. Lower temp might be better for me.
Why do you need to refrigerate the dough? Seems pointless to me.
meh
meh same 😅 apple pie always tastes good though
Not bad, but I found the filling a little too sweet. Would cut the sugar down to like 1/2 cup next time, especially if using sweeter apples.
I don’t understand why people love apple pie so much. I tried this recipe, and it was just okay. Kind of bland.
Used honey instead of sugar and it still taste good!
That’s awesome! Honey is a great alternative. I’m gonna try that next time! 🍏🥧
Sugar is sugar, isn’t it? Idk if honey will taste the same, but whatever floats your boat. 🤷♂️
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about only 2 tbsp butter in the filling part. But the dotted butter really helps. Crust was golden and the filling set nicely.
My pie leaked like crazy even after chilling. I used too many juicy apples (maybe Honeycrisp), so the cornstarch must’ve not been enough. Also my crust shrank a bit.
I’m skeptical about cornstarch here—usually I do flour. Mine thickened, but the texture was kinda gluey at the bottom. Still edible, just not my favorite.
I followed it pretty closely, but my dough was a little dry at first. Adding the water tablespoon by tablespoon saved it. Tastes great though—crust is flaky!
Glad you saved it with the water! My dough gets dry if the butter warms up even a bit—flaky crust is the dream 😄
Um, why do you have to use cold butter? Can we just use it regular? Asking for a friend. 😂
I thought the amount of sugar was too much. The pie came out very sweet.
Why do you need lemon juice? I never use that in apple pie. Seems extra to me. I’ll stick with my recipe.
I’m skeptical of nutmeg in apple pie—feels kinda weird to me—but I tried anyway. Honestly, it was subtle and I ended up liking it.
Made this last weekend and it smelled amazing while baking. The cinnamon + nutmeg combo is perfect, and the lattice-less top still looked gorgeous. I didn’t have cornstarch so I used flour and it thickened a bit less, but still delicious.
My pie exploded in the oven! Smoke everywhere! 🤦♂️ But when it cooled, it tasted kinda good. I guess it’s the thought that counts.
An exploded pie? Sounds like a disaster! 🤣 What did you do wrong? Did you forget to cut the slits for steam? Anyway, hope it was still yummy!
At least it still tasted good! I guess that’s what matters most. Maybe next time, you can put a tray under it just in case? 😅
I think my dough was too dry, it didn’t come together like in the recipe. Maybe need more water?
Nah, it shouldn’t be too dry. Maybe you mixed it too much? I dunno, but my dough always comes out fine.
Yeah, that dough can definitely be tricky! I usually add an extra tablespoon of water if it’s too dry. Don’t worry, it’ll still turn out yummy!
Pretty good overall. My dough was a little sticky even after chilling, so I ended up adding flour while rolling. Flavor is solid though, and the nutmeg really shows up.
Mine was a bit sticky too, but I think I under-chilled the dough. I did the full hour and it firmed up a lot. Still nice that the nutmeg comes through—this is a solid combo.
Glad you liked the flavor! The stickiness happens sometimes—could be the apple moisture or how long the butter warmed up while mixing. Adding flour while rolling totally makes sense, just try not to overdo it so it stays tender.
Pie good! I like apples. Easy to make! 5 stars.
Yum! Apple pie is the best! I love the smell when it’s baking. Gonna try this recipe!
So simple and easy to follow! I added some caramel on top before baking and it was a hit! Delicious flavor! 🍏🥧
Way too much cinnamon for my taste, but that’s probably personal preference. I liked the lemon juice though—kept it from tasting flat. Crust was decent for a first try.
I’m not convinced about 425°F for 40-45 minutes. I baked that long and the crust got too dark before the apples were fully tender. I’d lower the temp next time or cover with foil halfway.
Followed the recipe to the letter and it turned out fantastic! Everyone loved it at the party.
I’m not gonna lie: I was skeptical about the cornstarch amount, but it worked. Bubbly filling and clean slices after cooling.
Maybe I did something wrong, but my butter leaked and the bottom crust got soggy. The filling tasted awesome, so I’ll try again with a thicker dough or pre-baking the crust.
Apple pie is LIFE. This recipe is a keeper even if I messed up the crust a bit. Will try again!
Yum!! 10/10 would recommend! So delish, my whole house smells like fall. 🍏🥧
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Apple pie truly is the taste of fall. 🍁🍏
Not gonna lie, 6 cups apples feels like a lot… but it worked. I used Granny Smith and it balanced the sweetness. Cutting butter into tiny dots helped a ton with browning.
This recipe was super easy and my family loved it! Apple pie perfection!
5 stars but only if you chill the dough longer than an hour. I did 2 hours and the texture was night-and-day. Also the lemon juice is a smart touch.
I’m with you—longer chill = flakier crust. Mine was great after 90 min, but next time I’ll push to 2 hours. Also didn’t expect lemon juice to matter, wow.
2 hours chilling is the move for sure. I tried once with just 45 minutes and it was way softer/greasier. Lemon juice also makes the filling taste brighter.
I followed it exactly and my filling came out watery at the end. Maybe my apples were too juicy? The crust browned fast too, so I should’ve covered it sooner.
I followed the instructions but my crust didn’t turn out like the pic. 😕 Maybe I messed up.
Maybe you should try a different recipe next time? Not everyone can make the crust perfectly, it’s easy to mess up. 😕
I’m sorry to hear that! The crust can be tricky sometimes. Did you make sure the butter was really cold? That can help a lot!
Made this last weekend and it turned out beautifully—crust was flaky and the apple filling wasn’t runny. I added a tiny pinch more cinnamon because… why not. 👍
Love hearing that! Flaky crust + not runny filling is basically the dream. The extra pinch of cinnamon is absolutely the way to go 👍
I tried apple pie once and it was soup inside—so this “not runny” detail is huge. Do you think the cornstarch amount is what saved it?
The instructions are pretty clear, but I wish it said how thick to roll the crust. I rolled it kind of random and got uneven thickness.
Yeah, I get that. I try to aim for about 1/8 inch (3-4 mm) when rolling pie dough—maybe add a quick note like that would help a lot.
I had a hard time getting the dough to come together. Maybe I added too much water? It didn’t turn out like I thought, but the filling was yum!
I accidentally used brown sugar instead of white. Still yummy! A little more caramel flavor. 😊
This pie is the best! I made it for my family’s dinner and everyone loved it. Easy recipe too!
The flavor was good but I think the crust was too tough. What did I do wrong? I hope I can fix it next time.
Good recipe, but a bit complicated. I like simpler stuff.
I understand! Simple recipes are way easier to follow. Maybe try a no-bake pie next time?
Who needs all that? I just throw apples in a pan and call it a day! This sounds too fancy.
Can anyone tell me how long to bake it if I use frozen apples instead?
You might wanna bake it for a bit longer, like 10-15 mins more. Frozen apples need more time to cook through right!
Not bad, but I think 6 cups of apples is a lot unless they’re tart. Mine were sweet so it felt slightly too sugary—next time I’ll use less sugar or add more lemon.
Smelled good, tasted okay. Not exactly like my grandma’s pie, but still pretty decent.
Okay? That’s not great! You gotta nail that flavor! Just use more cinnamon next time.
I totally get that! No one can make it like grandma, but glad you enjoyed it a bit.
Best apple pie I ever made! Will definitely make again! 🍏🥧
Yum! Made this for my grandma’s birthday and she loved it! Will make again.
This apple pie is amazing! The crust turned out flaky and the filling was just perfect. Will definitely make again!
This apple pie is absolutely delicious! I made it for my family, and they couldn’t stop raving about it. Definitely a keeper! 😊
Yummy! Made this pie for Thanksgiving and everyone loved it!
I’m not really into baking, but this pie was worth the effort! Even my kids loved it, and they are picky eaters!
425°F for 40-45 mins feels a bit high to me for a top crust—mine browned fast and I had to tent it with foil halfway. But the flavor was spot on.
425°F is a lot lol. My pie browned fast, but the middle was still a bit runny, so I think I should’ve tented with foil halfway. Flavor was still solid.
Did you really need all that sugar? Made it once, way too sweet for my taste! I prefer it without all the sugar. Disappointed.
OMG, the crust is perfect! I’ve never been able to get it this flaky before. I feel like a baking genius now!
Solid recipe, but my dough kept feeling a bit dry. I ended up using closer to 6 tbsp water total (and it still took a little kneading). Tasted amazing though!
Too many directions! I just wanted a quick pie recipe 🙁
Why do you add lemon juice? Isn’t that weird? Just make it simple, people.
I don’t think nutmeg belongs in apple pie. Just stick with cinnamon, am I right?
I totally disagree! Nutmeg adds that special something to apple pie. Can’t imagine it without! 😊
Super good flavor but the dough was crumbly for me even after chilling. I probably measured the ice water wrong (or my butter was too cold? idk). Once I added a bit more water it came together.
Glad you got it to come together! Crumbly dough is usually either too little water or butter staying too cold. Next time I’d add the ice water a bit slower and stop as soon as it looks cohesive.
Yuck, this pie was a disaster. The apples were mushy and the crust was tough. Not trying again.
Followed the instructions pretty closely (even chilled the dough). Crust came out flaky and golden. Next time I’ll slice apples a tiny bit thinner so the bake time gels even better.
Nice! Chilling the dough usually makes a *huge* difference. Your flaky/golden result sounds spot on. Thinner apple slices is a great tweak too—less crunchy in the middle, more consistent bake.
Wait… mine never turns “bubbly” like that. I did 50 min once and it still looked kinda watery. Maybe I’m under-slicing the apples? Also, do you cover it with foil if the top browns too fast?
Kinda bland? Like I love apple pie but this one felt missing something. Maybe I needed more lemon or cinnamon—mine tasted more “sweet apples” than “spiced pie.”
The instructions are clear and the dough came together fast. My only complaint: 5-6 tbsp ice water might be too vague—could use more guidance like “until tacky.”
When I made it, my crust burnt. I’ve bake before but this time I messed up. Maybe different oven temp?
I’ve had that happen before! It might be the oven temp, or it could be the baking time. Maybe try lowering the temp next time? Good luck!
5/5. no notes. would eat again right now 😅
This pie is awesome! But I accidentally used salted butter and it still worked out, yay!
Wow, that sounds great! I’ve never tried it with salted butter. Might give it a go! 👍
Wow 9/10 recipe. I’m not kidding. It’s basically perfect, family loved it and asked for seconds 😂
I tried this with salted butter once and it was fine but not as buttery. Also I accidentally used 5 tbsp water not 5-6… anyway, flavor still solid.
This pie was soooo good! The apples were perfectly sweet. Will make it again for sure! 😍
I don’t know, I think my pie turned out too soggy. Maybe it was the apples? I’m not sure.
Soggy pie? That’s a bummer! It could be the apples, but make sure to drain them if they’re really juicy. Also, maybe bake it a bit longer? Just a thought!
Naah, it’s probably just the recipe! I’ve seen pies that turn out all watery. Did you use too many apples? I don’t think there’s such thing as too many but maybe measure them next time.
Not sure about 6 cups apples—mine shrank a lot and the pie looked a bit empty. Next time I’ll use fewer apples or pack them tighter.
Only 9 inch pan and 6 cups apples?? That seems like too much apple. Mine overflowed a bit and I had to bake on a sheet. Still, it was really good—just chaotic 😂
Respectfully, cutting butter until coarse crumbs is the part I always mess up. This time I took my time and it finally worked. Huge upgrade, thank you!
This apple pie is dangerously good. The cinnamon + nutmeg combo smells like a whole bakery. I did chill the dough longer (closer to 2 hours) and it came out super flaky.
I added some walnuts to the filling and it was super tasty! Great recipe!
Mine kinda collapsed on the sides… I think I under-sealed the edges? The taste was still amazing, though, so I didn’t even complain. (My family ate it anyway lol)
I followed it mostly, but I used salted butter by mistake and then added a little extra sugar to balance. It was still good—just not the “clean” flavor I expected.
Made this yesterday and it turned out *so* golden. The cinnamon + nutmeg combo is exactly right. I did 45 minutes and the filling was definitely bubbly when I pulled it.
I tried it and my filling was *not* bubbly at 40 min… maybe my apples were too juicy? I’m curious—did you bake on the middle rack?
Yes!! “Golden” is exactly the vibe of this pie. I also do 45 min and mine is always bubbly when I pull it—love that cinnamon + nutmeg punch.
I don’t know, it seemed too complicated. Why do I need so much sugar? Can’t I just use one cup?
This is the best apple pie recipe ever! My family devoured it. 5 stars!
I totally agree! This pie is a family favorite for us too! Can’t get enough of it!
Really? I tried this recipe and it didn’t turn out great for me. The crust was too tough. Maybe I did something wrong?
Apple pie is made with just apples. This is fake recipe with too much stuff. 😡
Simple and delicious! I substituted brown sugar, and it turned out heavenly. Highly recommend!
I tried it and it turned out kind of… bland? I added extra sugar and a pinch more cinnamon and it became way better. Maybe my apples were tart and I didn’t compensate.
Oof, bland is the worst for apple pie 😭 I think you nailed it though—if the apples were tart, the 3/4 cup sugar might not be enough. Next time I’d try a little more cinnamon too, or even a touch of salt in the filling to make the flavors pop.
I had the same issue and it was 100% the apples. I used Granny Smith once and it tasted kinda “flat” until I added more sugar. Also, make sure the filling sits a few minutes so the cornstarch hydrates.
Pretty basic. I mean, it’s just apple pie, right? Not sure why everyone is raving. 🤔
This turned out so good! The cinnamon/nutmeg combo smells like fall heaven, and the bubbly filling was perfect. I baked mine 43 minutes and it was golden.
I don’t get the nutmeg. Like why is nutmeg in dessert? My friend said “just do it,” so I did. It’s okay but not my favorite.
I messed up the crust! It was too crumbly, maybe I didn’t add enough water? Anyway, still tastes good! 🍏
Don’t worry! Crusts can be tricky. Maybe try adding a bit more water next time or even chilling the butter longer! 🍏🥧
The instructions are clear, but 425°F for 45 minutes was a bit much in my oven. Next time I’ll start at 400 and go up—burnt bottom edge.
Best apple pie everrrrr!! 👏 Cool before serving was key—didn’t rush and it set nicely.
Yes!! Letting it cool is the whole secret. First time I made apple pie I cut it immediately and it was all runny—never again 😅 This sounds spot on.
I’m not sure about cooling—mine sets fine even if I slice it after like 10 minutes. But I do agree the cornstarch + slits help. Also 425 seems high… do you cover it if it browns too fast?
Followed the steps but my dough was super sticky even after chilling. I ended up adding a little extra flour and it still baked up decent. Tastes great though!
This was the best apple pie ever! So easy to follow and turned out perfect!
I totally agree! This recipe is super easy and the pie was delicious! I can’t wait to make it again.
Eh, I’ve tried making apple pie before, and mine never turns out as good as this. You guys must have some secret trick!
425°F for 40-45 minutes felt a little too hot; my top crust browned fast. I should’ve covered it with foil halfway. Still tasted good.
Came out a lil soggy on the bottom. Maybe I didn’t bake it long enough? Still tasted good tho!
I don’t get why it would be soggy? Just bake it longer! But like, all that matters is it was tasty, right?
Soggy bottom? Sounds like you needed more baking time for sure! Maybe try 5-10 minutes more next time? But hey, if it tasted good, that’s what counts!
Good flavor, but my dough was super dry at 5 tbsp ice water. I ended up adding a little extra water until it came together. Not sure if my flour was different, but just a heads up.