Is there anything better than a warm, homemade apple pie from the oven? Our apple pie recipe features layers of tender, cinnamon-spiced apples nestled inside a flaky, buttery crust with just the right amount of sweetness.

A freshly baked apple pie with a golden, flaky crust, cooling on a countertop.

Every fall, my kids and I would head to the orchard, baskets in hand, ready to pick the best apples we could find.

By the time we got home, our kitchen smelled like crisp autumn air and fresh apples, and we’d get straight to work peeling, slicing, and mixing up the filling for our favorite apple pie.

There’s something amazing about the smell of apple pie baking in the stove—the warm cinnamon, the buttery crust, the sweet apples bubbling away.

Why You Will Love Our Classic Apple Pie

This apple pie is everything a homemade dessert should be—simple, flavorful, and downright irresistible. Here’s why you’ll want to make it again and again:

It’s a classic recipe made with simple, no-fuss ingredients.
The golden, flaky double crust adds the perfect crisp contrast to the soft, juicy filling.
Every bite bursts with a sweet, cinnamon-spiced filling that’s just right.
It’s packed with layers of tender apples, tall and satisfying, without turning into mush.
The flavor is pure nostalgia, bringing back memories of cozy kitchens and family gatherings.
If there were a state fair contest, this homemade apple pie would take home the blue ribbon!

Looking for more meal planning help? The Kid-Friendly Recipes resource hub at Rediscovered Families has everything in one place — from recipe collections to holiday treats and fun recipes to make together.

Ingredients for Apple Pie

For the Pie Dough:

All-purpose flour
Sea salt
Unsalted butter (cold and diced)
Lard
Ice-cold water

The Apple Filling:

Honeycrisp apples (cored and thinly sliced)
Lemon juice
Granulated sugar
Brown sugar
All-purpose flour
Cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger
Salt

The Topping:

Unsalted butter (cut into small pieces)
Egg (beaten)
Granulated sugar

How To Make A Classic Apple Pie

Making the Pie Crust

Start by mixing the all-purpose flour and salt in a large bowl. Cut the butter and lard into the flour using a pastry blender until the mixture looks crumbly, with pea-sized bits of fat.
Next, drizzle in the ice-cold water, one tablespoon at a time, gently stirring after each addition. Stop as soon as the dough holds together—you don’t want to overwork it!
Divide the dough in half, shape each portion into a ball, and wrap them in plastic wrap.
Pop them into the fridge for at least 30 minutes to chill. This step is crucial for that tender, flaky texture.
Once chilled, take one portion out and let it sit for a few minutes before rolling. Lightly flour your surface, then roll the dough into a circle large enough to fit your pie dish.
Carefully transfer it into the dish, pressing it gently against the bottom and sides.

Preparing the Filling

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Slice up those crisp, juicy Honeycrisp apples and toss them with a little lemon juice. This keeps them from turning brown while you mix everything else.
In a separate bowl, stir together the sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
The warm spices bring out the apples’ natural sweetness without overpowering them, and the flour thickens the mixture.
Pour the sugar mixture over the apples and toss everything well, ensuring every slice is coated.
Let the apples sit for a few minutes while the sugars work their magic, drawing out the juices and creating a deliciously thickened filling.

Assembling the Pie

Pile the apple filling inside the pie crust, piling it up slightly in the center. Dot the top with small pieces of butter—this melts into the filling as it bakes, adding richness and depth of flavor.
Now, roll out the second portion of dough on a floured surface, making it just a bit larger than your pie dish. Carefully lay it over the apples, then trim any excess, leaving about an inch hanging over the edges.
Tuck the overhang under the bottom crust and crimp the edges with your fingers or a fork to seal everything in. Don’t forget to cut a few slits in the top crust—this lets the steam escape and keeps the pie from bubbling over.
Brush the top crust with a beaten egg and sprinkle a little sugar for that golden, bakery-style finish.
Pop the pie into the oven and bake for about 45-50 minutes, until the crust is beautifully golden and the filling is bubbling. The hardest part is letting it cool before slicing. But trust me, it’s worth the wait!
Serve warm or at room temperature, and if you really want to take it to the next level, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Pure apple pie bliss!

Print the recipe and give it a try

This recipe is part of my Quick and Easy Family Recipes collection — your go-to hub for simple, comforting meals for busy school nights.

Double-Crust Honeycrisp Apple Pie

Our homemade apple pie is packed with tender, cinnamon-spiced apples baked inside a flaky, golden crust. It's a classic dessert that is bound to become a family favorite!

Prep Time20

Active Time45

Resting Time2

Total Time1 5

Yield: 8 servings

Calories: 400kcal

Ingredients

Pie Crust

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour.
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter cold and diced
½ cup of Lard
6-8 tablespoons ice-cold water

For the Apple Filling

6-7 medium-sized Honeycrisp apples peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Topping

1 tablespoon unsalted butter cut into small pieces
1 small egg beaten
1 tablespoon sugar

Instructions

Making The Pie Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt.
Start by mixing the all-purpose flour and salt in a large bowl. Cut the butter and lard and into the flour using a pastry blender until the mixture looks crumbly, with pea-sized bits of fat.
Gradually add the ice-cold water, in a stream, one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
Divide the dough into two equal portions, shape each portion into a ball, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Remove one portion of the chilled dough from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a circle large enough to fit into a 9-inch pie dish. Transfer the rolled-out dough to the pie dish, pressing it gently against the bottom and sides.

Preparing The filling

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a large mixing bowl, toss the sliced apples with the lemon juice to prevent browning.
In a separate bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Mix well.
Add the sugar mixture to the sliced apples and toss until the apples are evenly coated.

Assembling The Pie

Pour the apple filling into the prepared bottom crust, mounding it slightly in the center.
Dot the top of the filling with small pieces of unsalted butter.
Roll out the second portion of chilled dough on a lightly floured surface into a circle slightly larger than the pie dish.
Carefully place the rolled-out dough over the filling. Trim any excess dough hanging over the edges, leaving about a 1-inch overhang.
Fold the overhang of the top crust under the edge of the bottom crust, then crimp the edges using your fingers or a fork to seal the pie.
Use a sharp knife to create several small slits or decorative vents in the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking.
Brush the top crust with the beaten egg, then sprinkle evenly with granulated sugar for a golden finish.
Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling and thickened.
Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before slicing and serving.
Serve the apple pie warm or at room temperature, optionally topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of vanilla yogurt.

Notes

Use a combination of butter and lard. Make sure it is well chilled, NOT room temperature!
The water should be ice-cold! Add only enough water until the pie dough comes together.
Don’t overwork the dough, you want to have small chunks of butter in the dough.
Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Try not to stretch the pie dough as you place it into the pie plate. This will cause it to shrink.
Be sure to cut slits in the top crust, this vents the pie and prevents moisture from building up causing a soggy crust.

Tips for Making Apple Pie

Keep your butter and lard as cold as possible for the flakiest crust—warm fat makes for a tough pastry.
The same goes for the water; ice cold is best!
When mixing the dough, stop as soon as it comes together. Overworking it will make the crust dense instead of tender.
After rolling out the dough, be gentle when placing it in the pie dish—stretching it too much can cause it to shrink while baking.
Don’t forget to cut slits in the top crust! This lets steam escape and keeps the filling from turning the bottom crust soggy.

Variations to Try

Switch up the apples for a new flavor profile! While Honeycrisp apples bring a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, you can mix Granny Smith for extra tang, Fuji for more natural sweetness, or Golden Delicious for a softer texture.
Want to give your pie a beautiful, bakery-style finish? Try a lattice top instead of a solid crust! Cut the top dough into strips and weave them over the filling for a classic, rustic look. Not only does it look impressive, but it also allows more of the caramelized filling to peek through while baking.

Want to find out which apples are best for apple pie? Serious Eats breaks it down in this post.

There’s nothing quite like homemade apple pie, with its buttery, flaky crust and perfectly spiced filling. Whether you’re making it for a holiday gathering or just because this classic dessert is sure to impress. Download the full recipe, and be sure to pin this post so you’ll have it handy the next time you’re craving a slice of warm, homemade apple pie!

Our homemade apple pie is packed with tender, cinnamon-spiced apples baked inside a flaky, golden crust. It’s a classic dessert perfect for any occasion, from cozy fall nights to holiday gatherings!