Easy Deep-Dish Apple Pie: The Ultimate Guide

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Published: 11/12/2022

Updated: 11/15/2023

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If you’re anything like me, Thanksgiving isn’t complete without a homemade apple pie. Keep reading to discover how to make the ultimate  easy deep-dish apple pie that’s sure to impress.

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Type of Cuisine:

American

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Prep Time: 1 hour.

Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

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How Many Servings?

8-10 servings

Table of Contents

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and I can already picture you contemplating the perfect dessert to grace your holiday table. Well, look no further! I’ve got the inside scoop on an easy, tried-and-true classic: my beloved deep-dish apple pie. Picture this: your kitchen is filled with the irresistible aroma of warm apples and fragrant cinnamon. And the crust? It’s a masterpiece, flaky and buttery, just like Grandma used to make. The best part? You can prepare the crust in advance, leaving you with less to worry about on the big day. So whether you’re the host of this year’s feast or a cherished guest, my easy apple pie is the ultimate grand finale for your Thanksgiving celebration. Trust me; it’s not just good; it’s downright incredible.

Simple Ingredients for Your Easy Apple Pie

Transition Description: “Now, let’s dive into the straightforward yet essential ingredients that make this easy apple pie a true delight. With just a handful of components, you’ll be well on your way to creating a masterpiece with everyone asking for seconds.

  • All-purpose flour: Provides the sturdy foundation for your flaky pie crust, ensuring it holds up to the delicious filling.
  • Unsalted butter: The key to a rich, buttery crust melds perfectly with the flour for a melt-in-your-mouth pastry.
  • Ice water: Helps bind and keep the dough together, contributing to the crust’s perfect texture.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile, balancing the sweetness of the apple filling.
  • Large apples: The show’s star, these sweet and tart apples deliver that classic apple pie taste and tender texture.
  • Sugar and light brown sugar: Sweetens the apple filling and adds depth with caramel notes.
  • Lemon juice: Provides a refreshing zing that balances the sweetness and adds a touch of brightness.
  • Cinnamon and nutmeg: The dynamic duo of spices that infuse your filling with warm, comforting flavors.
  • Unsalted butter (again): Adds richness and a silky texture to the apple filling.
  • Egg wash: Gives your pie a beautiful golden sheen, making it as appealing as it is delicious.

Unveiling the Magic of Deep-Dish Apple Pie

What makes an apple pie a spectacular deep-dish creation? It’s all in the indulgent depth. Moving beyond the standard 9-inch diameter and 1 to 1.5 inches depth, the deep-dish apple pie elevates the experience with a generous size of 10-11 inches in diameter and a depth of about 2 inches. This means more delicious, gooey apple filling for a truly decadent treat.

Pie-Making Elevated: The Essential Tools

The journey to a perfect deep-dish apple pie begins with the right tools. A food processor is your ally in easily achieving a flaky, buttery crust, while a quality rolling pin ensures your dough reaches the perfect thickness. These tools are not just conveniences; they are vital in crafting a pie that’s as delightful to make as it is to eat.

Choosing the Right Apples for Your Pie

Wondering which apples to pick? The magic happens in this deep-dish apple pie recipe when you blend Crispin and Granny Smith apples. This duo creates a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors, elevating your pie from good to unforgettable. Plus, these apples hold their shape well during baking, ensuring your pie tastes great and looks picture-perfect! To explore more apple-centric desserts, check out this Walnut Stuffed Apple Dessert.

Make-Ahead Tips for Your Easy Deep-Dish Apple Pie

Preparing a full Thanksgiving spread can be daunting, but this deep-dish apple pie offers flexibility when it comes to time management. Here are some key make-ahead tips to simplify your pie-making process:

  • Pie Dough: The crust is the foundation of a great pie, and the good news is that you can make it well in advance. Prepare the dough up to a week before Thanksgiving and store it in the freezer. Thaw it in the fridge the day before you bake, ensuring it’s ready when needed.
  • Apple Filling: To save time, prepare your apple filling a day ahead. Store it in the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature before assembling your pie. This streamlines your Thanksgiving preparations and allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

Essential Baking Tips:

Here are four crucial tips to keep in mind during your preparation and baking process:

  • More Apples, More Flavor: Deep-dish apple pies require a fuller crust, so be prepared to use more ingredients compared to traditional pies. This ultimate homemade pie will need close to 6 pounds of apples.
  • Avoiding Sogginess: Apples contain water, which can result in a soggy pie. To prevent this, toss the sliced apples with sugar and lemon juice, then let the filling sit for 10 minutes before draining excess liquid in a colander for another 5.
  • The Cold Butter Trick: For a flaky crust, use cold butter. If your kitchen is warm, find a cooler spot to work. Cube the butter and keep it chilled until you’re ready to incorporate it into your dough.
  • Dough Handling: When rolling out the pie dough, handle it gently and efficiently to maintain its flakiness.
How to Make Easy Deep-Dish Apple Pie: The Ultimate Guide
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Preparation

1.
The Ultimate Deep-Dish Apple Pie
In a food processor, add the flour and ½ teaspoon salt. Pulse for one second to combine.
Add 1 cup of chilled, cubed butter to the food processor. Pulse until the butter crumbles, about 10 seconds.
Add the ice water and pulse again until the dough begins to form.
Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide and shape it into two large discs.
Wrap each disc securely in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of one hour.
Mark as complete
2.
The Ultimate Deep-Dish Apple Pie
In a large bowl, combine the apple slices, ½ cup sugar, and lemon juice. Stir and let sit for 15 minutes to marinate.
Mark as complete
3.
The Ultimate Deep-Dish Apple Pie
After 15 minutes, drain the apple mixture in a colander to discard any excess liquid.
Return the drained apples to the bowl. Mix in light brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and 1 teaspoon salt.
Mark as complete
4.
The Ultimate Deep-Dish Apple Pie
Start preheating your oven to 425°F .
Roll out one disc of chilled pie dough on a floured work surface to a circle of 12 inches in diameter.
Carefully transfer the dough to an 11-inch diameter, 2-inch deep pie dish. Tuck the dough around the edges to prevent shrinkage during baking.
Mark as complete
5.
The Ultimate Deep-Dish Apple Pie
Spoon the prepared apple filling into the pie crust.
Dot the filling with 1 tablespoon of small butter pieces.

Mark as complete
6.
The Ultimate Deep-Dish Apple Pie
Roll out the second disc of chilled pie dough to a 12-inch circle and place it over the filling.
Mark as complete
7.
The Ultimate Deep-Dish Apple Pie
Crimp or flute the edges to seal the pie. Cut slits in the top crust for ventilation.
Brush the pie crust with the egg wash, and optionally sprinkle with coarse sugar.
Mark as complete
8.
The Ultimate Deep-Dish Apple Pie
Cover the edges of the pie with a crust shield or aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning.
Mark as complete
9.
The Ultimate Deep-Dish Apple Pie
Place the pie on a large baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
After 25 minutes, lower the oven temperature to 350°F.
Continue to bake for an additional 45-60 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the crust is golden brown.
Mark as complete
10.
Perfectly easy baked deep-dish apple pie with a golden crust, with one slice served on a plate beside it.
Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before serving to let the filling set.
Enjoy your delicious deep-dish apple pie!
Mark as complete

Ingredients:

1X 2X 3X
Adjust Servings
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup butter (cut into cubes and cold)
½ cup ice water
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon butter (cut into small pieces)
1 egg washed (1 large egg beat with one tablespoon of milk)
Coarse sugar for sprinkling (optional)
For the Apple Filling:
10 large apples (cored, peeled, and sliced into ¼ inch slices. About 12 cups or 6 lb of apples)
½ cup sugar
½ cup light brown sugar
Juice of one lemon
2 teaspoons cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt

Preparation

1
In a food processor, add the flour and ½ teaspoon salt. Pulse for one second to combine. Add 1 cup of chilled, cubed butter to the food processor. Pulse until the butter crumbles, about 10 seconds. Add the ice water and pulse again until the dough begins to form. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide and shape it into two large discs. Wrap each disc securely in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of one hour.
2
In a large bowl, combine the apple slices, ½ cup sugar, and lemon juice. Stir and let sit for 15 minutes to marinate.
3
After 15 minutes, drain the apple mixture in a colander to discard any excess liquid. Return the drained apples to the bowl. Mix in light brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and 1 teaspoon salt.
4
Start preheating your oven to 425°F . Roll out one disc of chilled pie dough on a floured work surface to a circle of 12 inches in diameter. Carefully transfer the dough to an 11-inch diameter, 2-inch deep pie dish. Tuck the dough around the edges to prevent shrinkage during baking.
5
Spoon the prepared apple filling into the pie crust. Dot the filling with 1 tablespoon of small butter pieces.
6
Roll out the second disc of chilled pie dough to a 12-inch circle and place it over the filling.
7
Crimp or flute the edges to seal the pie. Cut slits in the top crust for ventilation. Brush the pie crust with the egg wash, and optionally sprinkle with coarse sugar.
8
Cover the edges of the pie with a crust shield or aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning.
9
Place the pie on a large baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, lower the oven temperature to 350°F. Continue to bake for an additional 45-60 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the crust is golden brown.
10
Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before serving to let the filling set. Enjoy your delicious deep-dish apple pie!

Recipe Tips & Suggestions

Pie Shield or Foil:

To prevent the edges of your crust from burning while ensuring the middle gets fully cooked, consider using a pie shield or a strip of aluminum foil around the edge for the first half of the baking time.

Temperature Check:

An oven thermometer can ensure your oven is at the precise temperature required. Oven temperatures can often be inaccurate and this simple tool will help eliminate guesswork.

Taste Test:

Before committing to a large batch of filling, consider doing a small taste test by microwaving a spoonful of your apple mixture. This allows you to adjust sugar or spice levels before it's too late.

Egg Wash:

For that golden, shiny crust, don’t forget to apply an egg wash (one beaten egg mixed with a tablespoon of water) before baking.

Cooling Time:

Resist the urge to cut into your pie immediately. Letting it cool for at least 2-4 hours will allow the filling to set, making for cleaner, more picturesque slices.

Spice it Up:

A pinch of nutmeg or a sprinkle of allspice can add another layer of flavor to your apple filling. If you're feeling adventurous, a splash of bourbon or brandy could also add an unexpected twist.

Storage Smarts:

If by some miracle you have leftovers, storing the pie properly is key. Cover it lightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and it can be stored at room temperature for up to two days or in the fridge for up to four.

Make it A-la-mode:

Serving the pie with vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped cream takes it to the next level, offering a delightful contrast in flavors and textures.

Nutrition Information

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
See our full nutrition disclosure here.

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