The Quintessential Apple Pie: Three Ways to Savor the Classic

Apple pie: It’s a universal symbol of comfort, nostalgia, and home. Baking an apple pie fills the house with an aroma that’s second to none. And let’s be honest, the process is as rewarding as that first bite of a slice fresh out of the oven. Here, we present three mouthwatering recipes that cater to different palates but retain the heart of this classic dessert. Whether you’re a purist, an adventurer, or someone in between, there’s an apple pie here with your name on it.

1. Classic Apple Pie

Ingredients:

• Pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
• 6 cups thinly sliced, peeled apples (preferably Granny Smith)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss to coat.
3. Place one pie crust in the bottom of a pie pan. Pour apple mixture into the crust.
4. Place the second crust over the filling. Trim, fold, and crimp edges. Cut slits in the top for steam to escape.
5. Bake for 45 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If the edges brown too quickly, cover them with aluminum foil.
6. Cool on a wire rack before serving.

Nutrition Information: Per slice (1/8 of pie): 265 calories, 10g fat, 42g carbohydrates, 2g protein, 20g sugar, 150mg sodium.

2. Caramel Pecan Apple Pie

Ingredients:

• Pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
• 6 cups thinly sliced, peeled apples
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup caramel topping
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix apples, sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Stir in caramel topping.
3. Pour the mixture into the pie crust. Sprinkle with pecans.
4. Cover with the second pie crust. Trim, fold, and crimp edges. Cut slits in the top.
5. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbly. Cover edges with foil if they brown too quickly.
6. Cool before serving.

Nutrition Information: Per slice (1/8 of pie): 320 calories, 15g fat, 45g carbohydrates, 3g protein, 25g sugar, 180mg sodium.

3. Chai-Spiced Apple Pie with Oat Crumble

Ingredients:

• Pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
• 6 cups thinly sliced, peeled apples
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 cup old-fashioned oats
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine apples, granulated sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves.
3. Pour the mixture into the pie crust.
4. In a small bowl, mix oats, brown sugar, and butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over apple filling.
5. Bake for 50 minutes or until the crust and crumble are golden and the filling is bubbly. Cover edges with foil if they brown too quickly.
6. Cool before serving.

Nutrition Information: Per slice (1/8 of pie): 275 calories, 8g fat, 50g carbohydrates, 2g protein, 30g sugar, 140mg sodium.

Whichever recipe you choose, you’re sure to have a winner at your table. Remember, the beauty of home baking lies in the ability to adjust to your liking. So, play around, make the recipe your own, and most importantly, enjoy every bite!

Photo Credit: Shutterstock