A rustic wooden table with a delicious homemade apple pie, surrounded by autumn leaves

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grandma rose's legendary apple pie: a step by step guide

By Gaston Bonheur

Published: 13 Dec 2024

A Culinary Adventure Begins

My grandma always said, 'The best recipes aren't found in books, they're found in memories.' And boy, does that ring true when I think about our family's Sunday suppers. Every week, without fail, we'd gather 'round a table laden with food that tasted like love, laughter, and a whole lot of butter. One dish always stole the show, though.Grandma Rose's legendary apple pie. Flaky crust, sweet apples, a hint of cinnamon. pure heaven. That's the magic I want to share with you today, more than just a recipe but taking you on a gastronomical journey.

family enjoying homemade apple pie

family enjoying homemade apple pie | Image: Supplied

Apple Pie: A Symphony of Flavors

Leave those mixes in the box! We're diving head-first into the lovely chaos that is homemade apple pie. Don't be scared-it's nowhere near as hard as it sounds, I promise you. We're going to break it down step by step, so even the most kitchen-challenged among us can do this. And the result? A pie so good you might cry happy tears. Seriously.

ingredients for apple pie

ingredients for apple pie | Image: Supplied

Step 1: The Crust – A Flaky Masterpiece

Okay, let's tackle the crust. Many bakers fear the crust, thinking it's too hard, but it's all about technique. First, you'll want to use cold butter and cold water – this is key for that perfect flakiness. I use a food processor to cut in the butter, but feel free to do this with your hands, being very careful to avoid over working the dough. You just want little pea-sized chunks of butter throughout. And you do not want that much mixing because what happens is, if you keep mixing it a lot then you are gonna have yourself a tough crust. And, no. You wanna chill this stuff after mixing it. This allows the gluten to relax and prevents shrinkage during baking.

making pie crust

making pie crust | Image: Supplied

Step 2: The Filling – A Sweet Embrace

Now for the star of the show: the apples! My grandma always preferred Granny Smith apples for their tartness. They balance perfectly with the sweetness of the sugar and spices. You can use other apples, of course, but Granny Smiths are my go-to, because they hold their shape beautifully during baking. Peel, core, and slice the apples uniformly; this would ensure that they are cooked even and at an appealing texture. Toss them with sugar, spices-cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of allspice, perhaps?-and a light flour coating to prevent the filling from going watery during baking. It's another key step, really! Never overlook it!

preparing apple filling for pie

preparing apple filling for pie | Image: Supplied

Step 3: Assembly – The Moment of Truth

Roll out your chilled dough. You'll need enough for both the bottom and top crusts. Place the bottom crust in your pie dish – gently press it into the sides and trim off any excess. Pour the apple filling into the crust, mounding it slightly in the center. Now, for the top crust. You can either just lay it over the filling or get fancy and do a lattice top for the most visual appeal. Crimp the edges to seal, cut a few slits to allow steam to escape-to prevent explosions!-and brush with a little egg wash or milk for extra golden-brown goodness.

assembling apple pie

assembling apple pie | Image: Supplied

Step 4: Baking – The Magic Happens

Bake your pie until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. This takes about 45-50 minutes in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C), but ovens can be quite quirky. Keep an eye on it and, if necessary, cover the edges with aluminum foil to prevent them from browning too quickly. Trust your instincts; you will know when it is perfect. Let it cool completely before slicing; this prevents a gooey mess. Trust me on this one, too. Patience is key, my friend!

baked apple pie cooling

baked apple pie cooling | Image: Supplied

Step 5: Serve – The Reward of Sweetness

Serve warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, if desired. Sweet, tart, spicy flavors dance upon the tongue, filling the mind with images of lazy Sunday afternoons and family warmth. And baking is much more than an execution of a recipe; it means to put your heart into it. Go ahead-create your masterpiece! What are some of your favorite food memories?

serving apple pie with ice cream

serving apple pie with ice cream | Image: Supplied

The best recipes aren’t found in books; they’re found in memories.

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