Best Homemade Apple Pie [Video]

Name: Best Homemade Apple Pie
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 120 min
Ingredients: 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup cold butter (unsalted and diced); 1/4 cup cold shortening (diced); 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional); 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional); 4 tablespoons cold water; 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup cold butter (unsalted and diced); 1/4 cup cold shortening (diced); 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional); 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional); 4 tablespoons cold water; 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese (room temperature); 1/4 cup white sugar; 1 egg; 1/4 cup cream (room temperature); 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 20 oz cans (4 cups) apple pie filling (or 6 cups if you are not making the cheesecake layer); 1 egg; 1 tablespoon milk

By Catalina Castravet

Updated: Aug 20, 2021

Published: Oct 26, 2018

5 from 5 reviews

Christmas Recipes Easter Pies and Tarts Recipes Thanksgiving Recipes

Cook time: 1 hour

Last updated on August 20th, 2021 at 04:21 pm

Best Homemade Apple Pie recipe with a flaky homemade pie crust and homemade apple pie filling. Take it over the top with the optional creamy cheesecake layer.

Homemade pies are definitely my weakness, I can never resist a buttery crust that basically melts in your mouth. A slice of warm apple pie topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream is the ideal dessert for Thanksgiving or Christmas! If you want to make this recipe for a party we recommend you try our Apple Slab Pie. And if you need an excuse to have it for breakfast make this Apple Danish or coffee cake.

Easy Homemade Apple Pie Recipe

I have here for you the BEST Apple Pie Recipe made from scratch, no kidding! There is nothing more amazing than tender, sweet apples sitting on a delicious layer of creamy cheesecake. This will quickly become your favorite apple pie recipe and a great holiday tradition!

This is the perfect recipe for Thanksgiving, Christmas or anytime you crave a good dessert made from scratch. If you were ever afraid to make your own pie crust, this recipe is perfect for you. It’s very easy, and it always turns out perfect. Also, watch the recipe video attached to better guide you through the cooking process.

I like adding a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg into the dough, it adds so much flavor. My secret to perfect crust is using a mix of shortening and butter. This makes a crust that is easy to work with, and still has that delicious butter flavor we all love.

Also, the homemade apple pie filling is out of this world, but you can use store-bought filling as well. The cheesecake layer is totally optional, but if you are looking to take your apple pie to a new level, this is the way to go. The combo of creamy and rich cheesecake, with the buttery crust and the apple filling, is definitely a must-try!

slice of apple pie with cheesecake layer

Ingredients Needed:

Pie Crust – you can use a homemade pie crust or store-bought pie dough or a pie shell.
Apple Pie filling – you can make your own or use store-bought.
Cheesecake Layer – this layer is optional, but if you decide to add it, you will need: cream cheese, sugar, eggs, flour, and cream.

Homemade Apple Mixture is very easy to make and it takes only 30 minutes. Once you try this recipe, you will never buy the canned version. You will need:

Apples: The best apples for this recipe are crisp and tart apples. We like to use a combo of Gala and Granny Smith apples.
Lemon juice and zest: Keeps the sliced apples from browning and also adds freshness.
White and brown sugar: We like to use brown sugar in the filling, it adds a nice caramel flavor.
Spices: We use cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice.
Water
Cornstarch
Butter: While this may sound like an unusual ingredient for the filling, it adds creaminess and makes it velvety.

Homemade crust:

Always use cold butter and shortening, this is very important! Also, the water should be ice cold, so make sure you chill some in the freezer.

Dry ingredients: All-purpose flour, salt, white granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg
Wet ingredients: Cold butter, cold shortening, ice-cold water.

How to make Homemade Pie Crust:

This is how you make pie dough for the bottom crust and top crust. You can use this easy recipe for fruit pies, like Cherry Pie, Blueberry Pie, or Pumpkin Pie.

Mix dry ingredients: First, mix all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
Add dairy: After that, add the unsalted butter and shortening to the flour mixture and using a pastry cutter or food processor to combine everything.
Add water: Afterward, add the cold water and mix to combine again. The mixture should resemble coarse sand. It should stick together when you press it with your fingers.
Chill: Next, roll the dough into a smooth ball, but make sure you don’t knead it much or work it. After that, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
Roll: When ready to use, remove dough from the fridge and place it on a floured surface or better of a lightly floured waxed paper sitting on a flat surface. Flatten the ball into a disk and using a rolling pin, roll it into a circle, starting from the center.
Add to pie pan: Finally, using the waxed paper, lift the dough and transfer it to a 9-inch pie plate. Gently pierce a few holes with a fork, before adding the cheesecake layer and apple pie filling.

How do you make a classic Apple Pie Recipe from scratch?

The crust: First decide if you are making your own dough for the crust or if you will be using store-bought pie dough. Keep in mind that you will need two dough discs for the bottom and the top of the pie.
The filling: After that, decide if you are using homemade or store-bought pie filling. If making the homemade version, choose your favorite type of apples and prepare them for the recipe.
Make the filling: Next, add the apple slices to a large bowl and mix with lemon juice and zest. In the meantime, add the rest of the ingredients except butter to a saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the apples and simmer until softened. After that, remove from heat and stir in the butter.
Optional cheesecake layer: If you are making this one, in a large bowl beat cream cheese, sugar, and flour until fluffy. After that add the remaining ingredients and beat until creamy.
Assemble: Add the cheesecake mixture on top of the bottom layer and freeze for one hour. After that, add the apple pie filling and the top crust.
Egg wash: Beat an egg with milk and brush the top and edges of the pie. After that sprinkle coarse sugar on top.
Bake: Finally, bake the easy apple pie recipe for about 55 minutes, after which cool on a wire rack.
Serve: Serve warm or chilled with ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Recipe Variations:

Dulce de Leche: Add 1/2 cup of dulce de leche to the cream cheese mixture for an apple caramel pie.
Nuts: As an alternative, for a crunchier texture mix in some chopped pecans into the filling.
Other fruits: When making the filling, add other fruits like pears or plums.
Hand pies: Another option is to make this recipe in individual servings just like these hand pies.

How to store leftovers:

Cool: Let the pie cool to room temperature first.
Refrigerate: After that, cover the dish with plastic wrap or transfer the leftovers to an airtight container, and store them in the fridge for 3-4 days.

How to freeze unbaked pie?

First, layer all the ingredients in the pie dish per recipe directions.
Then, wrap the pie tightly with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap.
Properly stored, it will maintain the best quality for about 2 to 3 months.
When ready to bake, remove it from the freezer, and transfer it to the refrigerator to thaw gradually for 24 hours. Bake for 60 minutes in preheated oven.

How to freeze baked pie?

First, make sure the apple pie has fully cooled and also was refrigerated for at least 6 hours.
Then, wrap the pie tightly with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap.
Properly stored, it will maintain the best quality for about 2 to 3 months.
When ready to use, remove it from the freezer, and transfer it to the refrigerator to thaw gradually for 24 hours.

More Pie Recipes:

Cooking tips:

When rolling the crust, work quickly, this is very important. Once at room temperature, the butter will change in temperature and start to affect the texture of the dough.
While I prefer to make the dough for the top of the crust and bottom of the crust, you can double the recipe and divide the dough into two equals balls.
Also, if you decide to add the cheesecake layer, you will have to serve this dessert ONLY chilled.
At the same time keep in mind to not keep it at room temperature for more than 3 hours because of the cheesecake layer.

Made This Recipe?

Show me what you made on Instagram or Facebook and tag me at @sweetnsavorymeals or hashtag it at #sweetnsavorymeals.

Best Homemade Apple Pie [Video]