Perfect Christmas Apple Pie — The American Classic

Apple pie is the American Christmas dessert classic. Done right with proper crust technique and the right apples, it's spectacular. The right recipe is family heirloom-worthy.

The classic recipe (makes 1 pie)

Crust (double crust)

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cold butter (diced)
• 8-12 tablespoons ice water

Filling

• 6 large apples (mix of varieties — Granny Smith + Honeycrisp + Braeburn)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• Pinch of salt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon butter (dotted on top)

Method

1. Make crust: process flour + sugar + salt + butter; add water; chill 1 hour
2. Roll out half for bottom; place in 9-inch pie pan
3. Peel, core, and slice apples thinly
4. Mix apples + sugar + flour + cornstarch + spices + lemon juice
5. Pile into bottom crust; dot with butter
6. Roll out top crust; place over apples
7. Crimp edges; cut vents
8. Brush with egg wash; sprinkle sugar
9. Bake at 425°F for 25 minutes
10. Reduce to 375°F; bake 30-40 more minutes
11. Cool 2 hours before slicing

The apple choice

Best blend

• Granny Smith (tart; structure)
• Honeycrisp (sweet; firm)
• Braeburn (balanced)

Avoid

• Red Delicious (too soft)
• Fuji (too sweet alone)
• McIntosh (turns to mush)

Variations

Lattice top

• Cut top into strips
• Weave lattice pattern
• More dramatic presentation

Crumb top

• Mix 1/2 cup flour + 1/2 cup brown sugar + 1/4 cup oats + 1/4 cup butter
• Crumble on top instead of crust
• Crunchy texture

Caramel apple pie

• Add 1/4 cup caramel sauce to filling
• Even more indulgent

Bourbon apple pie

• Add 2 tablespoons bourbon
• Adult sophistication

Serving

• A la mode (vanilla ice cream)
• With cheddar cheese (Vermont tradition)
• With whipped cream
• Plain (the purist way)

Cross-references

For perfect Christmas pumpkin pie — adjacent.

For perfect pecan pie — adjacent.

For Christmas desserts — broader.

For perfect Christmas mince pies — adjacent.

Perfect Christmas apple pie is the American classic. Mixed apples. Spiced. Flaky double crust. Two-temperature baking. The Christmas dessert that's been American tradition for 200 years.