Ultimate Gourmet Apple Pie
This Ultimate Gourmet Apple Pie is the perfected blend of tart Granny Smith and sweet McIntosh apples, harmoniously infused with a medley of warm spices. Inspired by a classic recipe from PBS - America's Test Kitchen, this pie promises to elevate your dessert game with its flaky crust and irresistible filling. With just the right amount of sugar to enhance the apples' natural sweetness, and a touch of lemon juice to brighten the flavors, this pie is sure to become a cherished family favorite. Easy to make yet indulgently delicious, it’s the ultimate treat for any occasion, whether it's a holiday gathering or a cozy family dinner. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an unforgettable dessert experience.
8
Servings
297.5
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Granny Smith apples
3 (peeled, cored, and sliced)
McIntosh apples
4 (peeled, cored, and sliced)
Lemon juice
1 tablespoon (freshly squeezed)
White sugar
3/4 cup (granulated)
Flour
2 tablespoons (all-purpose)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (fine sea salt)
Nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
Cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
Allspice
1/8 teaspoon (ground)
Pie crusts
2 (9 inches, homemade or store-bought)
Butter or margarine
2 tablespoons (melted for brushing)
Sugar
1-2 tablespoons (for sprinkling on top)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2
Peel, core, and slice the Granny Smith and McIntosh apples into thin wedges, placing them in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle the lemon juice over the apples as you slice them to prevent browning.
3
In a separate medium bowl, combine the granulated sugar, flour, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice. Mix until all dry ingredients are well blended.
4
Sprinkle the sugar mixture over the sliced apples and gently toss them until the apples are evenly coated.
5
Pour the apple filling into the bottom pie crust placed in a 9-inch pie pan.
6
Cover the pie with the second crust, sealing the edges by crimping with your fingers or a fork. Optional: cut slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
7
Brush the top crust with melted butter or margarine, then sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of sugar over the top for a delightful sparkle.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. After this, reduce the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for an additional 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
9
Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm, optionally topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Enjoy this indulgent dessert!
Nutrition Information
10g
Fat
48g
Carbs
0.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ultimate Gourmet Apple Pie?
It is a perfected blend of tart Granny Smith and sweet McIntosh apples, harmoniously infused with a medley of warm spices and a flaky crust.
Which types of apples are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses a combination of 3 Granny Smith apples and 4 McIntosh apples.
How many servings does this pie make?
This recipe is designed to serve 8 people.
What is the initial oven temperature for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 425°F (220°C) for the first stage of baking.
Why is lemon juice added to the apples?
One tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice is used to prevent the apples from browning and to brighten the flavor.
What dry ingredients are in the filling mixture?
The dry mixture consists of granulated white sugar, all-purpose flour, fine sea salt, ground nutmeg, ground cinnamon, and ground allspice.
How should the apples be prepared?
The apples should be peeled, cored, and sliced into thin wedges.
What size pie pan is needed?
A standard 9-inch pie pan is used for this recipe.
How do I seal the pie crust?
The edges of the two crusts should be sealed by crimping them with your fingers or a fork.
Is it necessary to vent the top crust?
While optional, it is recommended to cut slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking.
What is applied to the top crust before baking?
The top crust is brushed with melted butter or margarine and sprinkled with 1-2 tablespoons of sugar.
How long does the pie bake at the higher temperature?
The pie bakes at 425°F for the first 25 minutes.
When do I reduce the oven temperature?
After the initial 25 minutes of baking at 425°F, you should reduce the temperature to 350°F.
What is the second baking duration?
The pie continues to bake at 350°F for an additional 30-35 minutes.
How can I tell when the pie is done?
The pie is finished when the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
Should the pie cool before serving?
Yes, you should allow the pie to cool slightly before slicing to help the filling set.
What are the best toppings for this apple pie?
It is best served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Can I use store-bought crusts?
Yes, the recipe allows for two 9-inch pie crusts that are either homemade or store-bought.
What spices give the pie its gourmet flavor?
The warm medley of spices includes 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/8 teaspoon allspice.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each of the 8 servings contains approximately 297.5 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 10 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a slice?
Each slice contains 48 grams of carbohydrates.
How much protein is in the pie?
The pie contains 0.5 grams of protein per serving.
Who inspired this recipe?
The recipe was inspired by a classic version from PBS - America's Test Kitchen.
How much sugar goes into the filling?
The filling uses 3/4 cup of granulated white sugar.
What is the purpose of flour in the apple mixture?
Two tablespoons of all-purpose flour are used to thicken the juices from the apples as they bake.
Is this recipe suitable for holiday occasions?
Yes, it is described as an ultimate treat for holiday gatherings and cozy family dinners.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, melted margarine can be used in place of butter for brushing the top crust.
What type of salt is recommended?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of fine sea salt.
How much allspice is needed?
The recipe requires 1/8 teaspoon of ground allspice.