The Ultimate Apple Pie

For this deep dish apple pie, the apples are cooked separately before being added to the pie crust. This step keeps the crust from getting soggy, making this classic dessert extra good.


The Ultimate Apple Pie


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Prep Time: 50 mins
Total Time: 2 hrs 5 mins
Servings: Makes 10 servings.
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Ingredients
 
savings in
 
  • 3  cups  all-purpose flourOn Sale
  • 1  tablespoon  granulated sugarOn Sale
  • 1  teaspoon  saltOn Sale
  • 1  cup  unsalted butter, cut up (no substitutes)On Sale
  • 1  large  egg yolkOn Sale
  • 1  tablespoon  distilled white vinegarOn Sale
  • 4 to 5  tablespoons  half and half creamOn Sale
  • 5  pounds (about 10 to 12 medium)  firm, tart apples (such as Northern Spy, Granny Smith, Idared, Golden Delicious or Gala), peeled, cored and cut into eighthsOn Sale
  • 3/4  cup  granulated sugar, dividedOn Sale
  • 1  large  egg whiteOn Sale
  • 1  tablespoon  waterOn Sale
  • 1/4  cup  firmly packed brown sugarOn Sale
  • 1  teaspoon  apple pie or pumpkin pie spiceOn Sale
  • 2  tablespoons  cornstarchOn Sale
  • 1/4  teaspoon  saltOn Sale
  • 3  teaspoons  fresh lemon juiceOn Sale
  • 3  tablespoons  unsalted butter, cut up (no substitutes)On Sale
  • 2  tablespoons  heavy or whipping creamOn Sale
  • 1  teaspoon  granulated sugarOn Sale

Directions
1.
For the pastry, combine flour, granulated sugar and salt in a food processor and pulse to combine. Add butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Whisk together egg yolk and vinegar in a cup. Sprinkle yolk mixture onto flour mixture; pulse to combine. With machine running, gradually add half and half cream through feed tube, pulsing just until pastry holds together. Shape into 2 balls, one slightly larger than the other; flatten into thick disks. Wrap well in plastic wrap and refrigerate 30 minutes or overnight.
2.
Arrange rack in lower third of oven. Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
3.
For the filling, meanwhile, divide apples into each of 2 shallow 4-quart glass baking dishes. Sprinkle 1/4 cup granulated sugar over apples in each dish. Cover tightly with foil. Bake apples about 45 minutes, or until partially tender (apples should still hold their shape). Cool on wire rack, covered, 30 minutes.
4.
Lightly coat a 10-inch pie plate with vegetable cooking spray. On a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin, roll larger pastry disk into a 15-inch circle. Fit into pie plate, leaving a 1-inch overhang. Beat egg white with water in a cup; brush pie shell with about 2 teaspoons egg-white mixture, then set aside to dry.
5.
Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Combine remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar, the brown sugar, apple pie spice, cornstarch and salt in a bowl. Spoon one third of apples and juices into the pie shell; sprinkle with one third of the sugar mixture. Drizzle filling with 1 teaspoon lemon juice and dot with one third of the butter. Repeat layering 2 more times with remaining apples, sugar mixture, lemon juice and butter.
6.
Roll remaining pastry into a 13-inch circle. Place over filling; cut vents in top and flute edge. Brush top with 2 teaspoons of egg-white mixture, then with the 2 tablespoons heavy cream and sprinkle with the 1 teaspoon granulated sugar.
7.
Place pie on a foil-lined cookie sheet. Bake 1 hour 15 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly. (If crust browns too quickly, cover top loosely with foil.) Cool on a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature. Makes 10 servings.

Nutrition information
Calories 560, Total Fat 25 g, Saturated Fat 15 g, Cholesterol 87 mg, Sodium 307 mg, Carbohydrate 81 g, Fiber 5 g, Protein 5 g. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
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Recommended Recipe:
Classic Apple Pie
Classic Apple Pie

For best results, bake this pie at least a few hours before you plan to cut into it; otherwise, the filling may be soupy. With time, the fruit reabsorbs the juices, and the pie will cut like a charm. A pastry cloth and a rolling pin stocking, or sleeve, are simple tools that make it easier to roll out the dough.

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