Apple Pie Recipe

Is there anything more American than apple pie? This classic dessert is a favorite for a reason – it’s delicious! In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make your own apple pie from scratch.

It’s easy and the results are heavenly. So get ready to celebrate America’s favorite dish with this mouth-watering apple pie recipe. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed!

When I was a kid I was definitely more of a cake person. I would rather have a rich slice of decadent chocolate cake over a slice of pie, any day.

However, as I’ve gotten older I have developed more of an appreciation for pie.

I’ve also learned that there was a reason that as a kid that I didn’t like pie. Most of the pie that I happened to taste when I was a kid was store-bought pie. Comparing a store-bought pie to a homemade pie just isn’t fair.

After many years of figuring out how to make pies in my own kitchen, I am now a pie lover. This doesn’t mean that I no longer appreciate a really good cake.

I’ve come to the realization that when it comes to anything baked if it’s not from scratch, it’s just not worth eating.

What You’ll Love About this Caramel Apple Pie Recipe

This is an easy apple pie recipe that I’ve been making for years. I bake this pie in my cast iron skillet, and it comes out perfect every time.

• This is a homemade apple pie recipe is made from scratch — is there anything better than that?
• This apple pie filling is hands down the BEST I have ever tasted.
• This apple pie is made with fresh apples.
• The buttermilk pie dough I use to bake this apple pie makes the most amazing apple pie crust.

The BEST Apple Pie

This recipe will work fine when baked in a pie plate (affiliate link) or in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet (affiliate link).

Ingredients For Apple Pie

• Pie Dough:  I have two recipes that are my go-to pie crust recipes: Buttermilk Pie Crust and All-Butter Pie Crust. Either of these works! Or feel free to use your own favorite pie dough.
• Fresh Apples: The best apples to use for apple pie are Granny Smith apples (tart flavor), Fuji (sweet), and Pippin Apples (tart and sweet.) I like to use a variety of apples in the filling. You’ll need about 8 to 10 apples.
• Apple Pie Spice: Cinnamon, sugar, nutmeg, and all-spice.
• Thickeners: Flour and cornstarch.
• Caramel Sauce: I use my Homemade Bourbon Caramel in this recipe. If you don’t want to make homemade caramel sauce you can use a store-bought variety.

Special Equipment

You will need either a pie dish or a cast-iron skillet to bake the pie in. I also use a baking sheet to set the skillet on while it is baking, just in case there is any fruity bubble over.

I use a food processor to make my pie dough. This is completely optional. If you don’t have a food processor you will want to have a pastry cutter. (affiliate link)

• Cast Iron Skillet (affiliate link). You can bake this pie in a cast-iron skillet. I usually use my Lodge or my Staub.
• Pie Dish (affiliate link). If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet, a regular pie dish will do.
• Baking Sheet (affiliate link)
• Food Processor (affiliate link)

How To Bake An Apple Pie 101

You’ll want to plan ahead for this recipe because you’ll want to make an apple pie crust recipe a few hours before you bake the pie. I usually make my pie dough the night before and let it chill in the fridge overnight.

1. Make The Pie Dough: After you make your pie dough, set it in the fridge to rest. I usually recommend at least 4 hours. Pie dough can be in the fridge for a few weeks and in the freezer for months. If you are short on time, freeze your dough for 30 minutes before rolling it out.
2. Caramel Sauce: Either make a caramel sauce or have one ready to go.
3. Peel the Apples: Squeeze the juice of one lemon into a bowl. Peel and slice the apples. Add the apple slices to a large bowl and add the spices and the sugar to the apples. Toss.
4. Assemble the Apple Pie: Roll out half of the pie dough and place the bottom crust in the pie pan or cast-iron skillet. Add the cornstarch and the flour to the apples and toss. Place the apples into the pie dough. Cover with one-third cup of caramel sauce. Roll out the second half of the pie dough and place it on top.
5. Baking The Pie: Preheat the oven to 450℉. I start all of my pies on a higher temperature because the extra heat helps the butter and water in the pie crust expand. This step gives you an extra flaky pie crust. After 10 minutes, turn the temperature of the oven down to 350℉ and bake for another hour—until the crust is golden brown. Make sure to check the pie occasionally. If the top starts to get too brown, you can cover it loosely with foil.

PRO-TIP: Use a woven top for the crust OR vent the top crust with a sharp knife. There are a million creative ways to do pie crust design, so if that is in your wheelhouse, knock yourself out!

Pictorial Guide

1. Peel and slice the apples. Then, add the sugar, spices, and lemon juice.
2. Roll out the pie dough.
3. Put the pie dough in the cast iron pan.
4. Add the apples and the caramel to the pie dough.
5. Add the top layer of pie dough. Crimp the edges and vent the top with a sharp knife. Wash with an egg wash.
6. Bake the pie. Preheat the oven to 450℉. Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 350℉.

Variations and FAQS

This recipe is just like my easy double-crust apple pie recipe, except there is salted caramel inside the pie. You can also serve extra caramel sauce on the side.

Other Pie Recipes To Try

• Banana Cream Pie
• Pumpkin Pie
• Pecan Pie