Grandma’s Perfect Homemade Apple Pie

I know it’s a bit biased, but my great-grandma’s homemade apple pie is the best one I’ve had yet! It is so simple and so incredibly delicious!

For as long as I can remember, it didn’t matter what the holiday or occasion was but my great-grandma would make an apple pie.

It is everybody’s favorite in the family and for a good reason. It is sooo good!

So since a little kid I have memories of baking pies with my Grandma Vera, but only getting to do certain tasks. And helping with the crust was NOT one of them.

She would let me help sprinkle sugar on the apples and maybe measure out some flour, but I never got to stir the dough.

If you’ve ever had pie with homemade crust you’ll know that it makes the world of difference.

And if you’ve ever made homemade pie crust you probably have experienced how quickly you can mess up the whole pie by working with that dough just a bit too much.

As a kid I didn’t understand why my grandma didn’t let me help with the crust, but now, years later I do.

And I only wish after all the pies I’ve made with her and on my own that my crust could actually come out as perfect as hers…

But even though my pie is not quite Grandma’s,  it’s pretty darn close, and I am proud that I’ve partially mastered her recipe.

Luckily if you don’t have my Grandma Vera to compare to, this apple pie recipe will definitely be a favorite!

How to Make Homemade Apple Pie 

Ingredients:

• For Pie Filling
  • Granny Smith Apples
  • Cinnamon
  • Sugar
• For Crust
  • Flour
  • Lard
  • Ice Water

Step 1:

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.

Step 2:

Make your crust. Start by adding 2 cups of flour into a large bowl. Then add in 1 cup of lard broken up into chunks.

Step 3:

Use a fork or pastry cutter and start mixing the lard into the flour. Mix it together just enough that it starts to incorporate and create a crumbly mixture.

You don’t want to over mix it though and don’t worry if there are still some big chunks of lard.

Step 4:

Start adding in ice water to your dough mixture. Start with about 1/3 of a cup and gently start mixing it into the dough.

If your dough still seems dry and is not sticking together, add in a tablespoon of water more at a time until your dough comes together.

During this phase keep in mind that less is better. If you over mix the dough that is what creates a tough crust.

Step 5:

Once your dough has come together, split the dough into two portions. One being just a bit bigger than the other.

The larger portion will be for the bottom crust and the smaller portion will be for the top crust.

Step 6:

Roll out the bottom crust onto a floured surface. If the dough it sticky continue adding flour to the surface and on top of your dough until it no longer sticks to your rolling pin.

Then use a thin spatula to lift the dough off of the surface and place it in a pie dish.

Step 7:

Get your top crust ready and set it aside. Roll it out just like you did for the bottom crust.

Step 8:

Wash, peel, and thinly slice 6-8 granny smith apples. I use this Johny Apple Peeler (amazon) and it is amazing! I have always loved baking pies, but I really don’t enjoy peeling and slicing apples.

This apple peeler peels, cores, and slices the apples for you and I don’t know how I lived without it!

So I definitely recommend it, plus it is less than $20 and it will save you so much time.

But either way, just be sure to peel you apples and slice them very thin and then set them aside in a bowl.

Step 9:

Add a 1/4 of flour and 1/4 of sugar into the bottom of your crust and mix together with your fingers.

Then add in about 1/3 of your sliced apples. Measure out 1/2 cup of sugar and sprinkle about 1/3 of it over your apples. Then sprinkle with cinnamon.

Continue adding apples and sprinkling with remaining sugar and cinnamon until you have added in all of your sliced apples, sugar, and cinnamon.

Step 10:

Add on your top crust. Then cut off the extra crust hanging over the edge leaving a about an inch.

Then fold the bottom crust over the top crust and pinch together.

Then to create a scalloped edge, use your thumb and index finger on the inside edge of the crust and use your index finger to press the crust in between your fingers.

Step 11:

Cut slits into the top of the crust and sprinkle with sugar.

Step 12:

Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes. Then turn down the heat to 350 degrees and bake for 35-45 minutes until the apples are soft.

I like my apple mixture more like applesauce and so I bake my pies until the apples are really soft. But this part will be your preference.

Keep an eye on the crust and if it is golden brown and the apples feel soft enough for you when poked with a knife then remove the pie from the oven.

If the crust is golden brown and the apples are not yet soft enough, place a piece of foil over the pie and continue baking until the apples are softer.

How to Serve Homemade Apple Pie

My favorite way to serve this delicious pie is with a couple slices of extra sharp white cheddar cheese. If you’ve never heard of tried this you’re likely thinking “GROSS!”

But don’t knock it until you try it, it’s a family tradition and there’s no better combination!

It is also great served with vanilla ice cream, or if you’re like me, serve it with ice cream and a couple slices of extra sharp white cheddar cheese!