Best Deep Dish Apple Pie

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There are apple pie recipes and then there are Deep Dish Apple Pie recipes. If you know, you know.

Deep Dish Apple Pie is one of my favorite made from scratch recipes. This simple apple pie recipe will become your go-to favorite for the holidays or any time you want a show-stopping dessert!

Our deep dish pie reminds us a tad of the Ina Garten apple pie recipe, with a delicious filling and an easy flaky pie crust recipe. It’s warm, comforting, and so delicious.

What makes deep-dish apple pie so delicious?

It’s a classic recipe, but with apple slices stacked up high in a deep homemade pie crust. This gives you more of that delicious pillowy apple pie filling!

The high ratio of apples to pastry is divine! You are guaranteed the best taste of apples and spices, with just a touch of flaky pie crust. There’s a reason we think this is the best apple pie recipe in the world.

Plus, when you serve this apple pie recipe from scratch, its tall crust looks so impressive on a plate. Everyone will be asking you for seconds… and for the recipe!

Deep Dish Apple Pie Ingredients

Crust Recipe

• All-Purpose Flour
• Sugar
• Salt
• Ground Cinnamon
• Unsalted Butter
• Egg
• Cold Water

This homemade pie crust is a classic all-butter pie crust recipe that I use very often to make both sweet and savory tarts and pies. It is a very easy pie crust that never fails, and works so well with so many different fillings!

Apple Filling

• Apples (about 7 or 8 small apples)
• Brown Sugar
• Cornstarch
• Lemon – Juice and Zest
• Orange – Juice and Zest
• Ground Cinnamon
• Ground Ginger
• Ground Allspice
• Ground Nutmeg

I add both lemon and orange zest and juice to my apple pie filling recipe. This is a great way to add a refreshing blast of flavor in your pie!

What are the best apples for apple pie?

• Cortland
• Granny Smith
• Braeburn
• Crispin
• Golden Delicious
• Fuji
• Jonagold
• Pink Lady

So many varieties of apples work well with this recipe. You always want to make sure to use apples that bake well and don’t get overly mushy.

How many apples do I need?

To make this easy recipe, I use about 2 lbs. of apples – or about 7 to 8 small apples.

How to Make Deep Dish Apple Pie

First, you prepare the easy pie crust recipe. Then, while it rests in the fridge, you make the filling. Finally, you add the filling to the crust, then chill it again just before baking.

How to Make the Filling

1. Peel and core 7 to 8 small apples, then cut them into thin slices. I cut each apple into fourths, then again into 5 or 6 total slices. Place them in a large bowl.
2. Zest and juice ½ a lemon and ½ an orange over the sliced apples.
3. Add ⅓ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup cornstarch, 1 tsp. ground cinnamon, 1 tsp. ground ginger, ½ tsp. ground allspice, ½ tsp. ground nutmeg, and ½ tsp. star anise powder (if using), and mix well until all the apple slices are evenly covered.

Slice your apples easily by following our How to Use a Mandoline guide!

How to make Pie Crust

1. Place 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flower, 2 Tbsp. powdered sugar (or icing sugar), a pinch of salt, and ½ tsp. ground cinnamon in the bowl of your mixer.
2. Add ⅓ cup unsalted butter cut into small cubes and at room temperature.
3. With the paddle attachment, mix on low to medium speed until all the butter is evenly integrated. It should look like thick sand or small crumbs.
4. Whisk 1 egg in a separate bowl and add it to the other ingredients.
5. Slowly mix until the dough starts to come together. If you need to (if the dough seems too dry to come together), add a little bit (1 to 2 Tbsp.) of cold water. Don’t overwork the dough!
6. Divide the dough: Separate about ⅔ and ⅓ of the crust dough.
7. Roll each piece between two sheets of parchment paper. Roll the larger portion into a large circle and the smaller portion into an oval shape.
8. Chill for at least 30 minutes to an hour.

*You do not need a stand mixer: you can make this crust recipe a few different ways. While I use my stand mixer to make the pie crust, you can use a food processor or even your hands.

If working with your hands, work quickly so the butter does not get too warm. Mixing with all methods is the same: it’s just a bit easier with a mixer or food processor!

The secret to the perfect pie crust is time. You need to give your pastry plenty of time to chill and rest.

Family Foodie Tip: To stop the bottom of the crust from getting soggy is to sprinkle some semolina flour over it before adding the filling. This will absorb a lot of the juices before they have time to soak into the crust!

Assembling the Deep Dish Apple Pie

1. Line a deep baking dish with the larger rolled crust dough. No need to worry if it hangs over the sides. Prick the bottom with a fork. Optional: sprinkle some semolina flour on the bottom of the crust to absorb juices from the filling and stop the crust from getting soggy.
2. Stack the apple slices tightly in layers, trying to leave as little room for air pockets as possible. Do not simply pour them into the dish! Pour over any extra juice from the filling after stacking your apple slices.
3. Cut thin strips along the longer side of your smaller rolled crust dough. Create a lattice with the crust strips over the apple filling by laying strips across each other diagonally.
4. Gently press the edges of the strips against the sides of the crust, then roll over any excess crust on the sides.
5. Whisk 1 egg and 1 tsp. milk to create an egg wash (you can also use water for an egg wash, but I like to use milk). Generously brush the wash over the crust sides and the lattice.
6. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Place the pie in the freezer to set while the oven warms up.
7. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling bubbles. Leave to cool down for 10 to 15 minutes, then enjoy!

How Long to Bake an Apple Pie

I recommend baking it between 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the crust is nicely golden and the filling is gently bubbling.

Does apple pie need to be refrigerated?

Actually, no! It will be fine at room temperature if you fully cover it with plastic wrap or foil. Keeping it at room temperature allows the crust to stay nice and flaky, too!

You can keep it at room temperature for up to two days. I promise you will not have to worry about refrigerating this deliciousness after two days as it will be long gone.

Can you freeze apple pie?

Yes! It freezes very well. You can freeze them after baking or before baking.

Freeze after baking: Leave it to cool down completely first, then wrap it well and place it flat in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until fully thawed.

Freeze before baking: Leave the pie in a freezer-safe baking dish, then place in the freezer until fully frozen. Once frozen, remove from the dish and wrap with foil or plastic. When ready to bake, bake at the time required in the recipe with an additional 10 to 15 minutes added to thaw the pie.

How to Reheat Apple Pie

If reheating individual slices to enjoy, place in a 350-degree oven for 5 minutes or in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes.

What to Serve with Apple Pie

There are so many delicious choices! Vanilla ice cream is a delicious classic that I highly recommend. You can also add whipped cream.

I am a huge fan of serving our Easy Butterscotch Sauce drizzled over the top. You haven’t lived until you try this delicious combination of flavors.

Easy Desserts

• Ina Garten Apple Crisp
• Banana Pudding Brownies
• Apple Galette Recipe (French Apple Tart)
• Caramel Apple Empanadas
• Rhubarb Apple Crumble
• Apple Dump Cake
• Puff Pastry Apple Tart

While you’re at it, try our Caramel Apple Sangria ! It has all of the flavors of an apple pie… in sangria form! So delicious.

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Photography by Sylvie Gruber