For some reason, I’ve found myself daydreaming about homemade apple pies lately. Is there anything quite like that sweet smell wafting through the kitchen as the crust turns golden brown? I can almost taste it now – warm, gooey apples, perfectly spiced with cinnamon, just waiting for that scoop of vanilla ice cream on top! It reminds me of my childhood, when my grandmother would invite me over just to teach me her secret recipe. I still remember the excitement I felt picking apples with her at the orchard, the sun shining and laughter echoing through the trees. Have you ever had a moment that just sticks with you like that? Maybe it’s time I dust off that rolling pin and create some new memories in my own kitchen. Who's with me?
Items You’ll Need
- Mixing bowl
- Pie dish
- Rolling pin
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Pastry cutter
- Whisk
- Spoon or spatula
- Knife
- Apple corer/peeler
- Oven
- Baking sheet
- Cooling rack
- Sifter
- Brush
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Gather My Equipment
I'm going to gather all my equipment first! I'll need a mixing bowl, a pie dish, a rolling pin, measuring cups, measuring spoons, my trusty pastry cutter, a whisk, spoon or spatula, knife, apple corer/peeler, oven, baking sheet, cooling rack, sifter, and a brush. Let's make the kitchen ready for some pie magic!
Step 2: Prepare the Pie Crust
I'll start by sifting some flour into my mixing bowl. Adding a pinch of salt to the mix, I whisk them together. Now I’ll measure some cold butter and cut it into the flour using my pastry cutter until it resembles coarse crumbs. It's like I'm playing with a light, flaky dough!
Step 3: Mix the Dough
Next, I'll add ice water a tablespoon at a time, mixing with a fork, until the dough comes together. Once it's combined, I'll divide it in half, shape each half into a disc, wrap them in plastic wrap, and pop them in the fridge to chill. Time for a little dough nap!
Step 4: Prepare the Apples
While my dough chills, I’ll get to work on the apples. I’ve got a bunch of crisp apples here, so I’ll grab my apple corer/peeler and remove the skin and cores. I can already smell the sweet aroma. Once peeled, I'll slice 'em thinly, and toss them in a mixing bowl with sugar, cinnamon, and a touch of lemon juice. Yum!
Step 5: Roll Out the Dough
Now, it's time to roll out the dough! I'll take one chilled disc from the fridge, place it on a floured surface, and using my rolling pin, I’ll roll it out into a large circle. It should be about 12 inches in diameter—perfect for my pie dish!
Step 6: Assemble the Pie
With the rolled dough, I carefully place it in the pie dish. Next, I’ll fill it with my delicious apple mixture, making sure the apples are piled high with all that sweet cinnamon goodness. I roll out the second disk for the top crust, and I make some fun designs by cutting slits in the dough for steam to escape. It looks great already!
Step 7: Bake the Pie
I preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C), and I use my brush to apply an egg wash on top of the pie to get that golden-brown finish. Then, I'll place the pie on the baking sheet to catch any drips and put it into the oven. The smell is going to be heavenly, and I can't wait!
Step 8: Cool and Serve
After about 45 minutes, my pie is bubbly and golden! I'll take it out and let it cool on the cooling rack. The hardest part is waiting. Once it’s cool enough, I’ll slice it and serve it warm, maybe with some ice cream on top. What a delightful homemade apple pie!