Apple Pie

ChatGPT said:

Here’s a classic homemade Apple Pie recipe — flaky, buttery crust with a cinnamon-sweet apple filling that’s perfect for any occasion 🍎🥧

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🥧 Classic Apple Pie

Ingredients

For the Pie Crust (makes a double crust):

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 6–8 tbsp ice water

For the Apple Filling:

• 6–7 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (for thickening)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
• 1 tbsp butter (cut into small pieces, for dotting before baking)

For Topping:

• 1 egg (beaten with 1 tbsp water, for egg wash)
• 1 tbsp coarse sugar (optional, for sprinkling)

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Instructions

🥣 1. Make the Pie Crust

1. In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, and sugar.
2. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
3. Add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, just until the dough begins to come together.
4. Divide into two disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.

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🍏 2. Prepare the Apple Filling

1. Peel, core, and slice apples thinly (about ⅛ inch thick).
2. In a large bowl, combine apples with sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, lemon juice, and vanilla.
3. Toss well and let rest for 10–15 minutes so the apples release some juice.

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🧑‍🍳 3. Assemble the Pie

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Roll out one dough disk on a floured surface and fit it into a 9-inch pie dish.
3. Fill with the apple mixture and dot with small pieces of butter.
4. Roll out the second dough disk and place it over the top (or make a lattice design).
5. Trim, crimp the edges, and brush the top with egg wash. Sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired.
6. Cut small slits on top for steam to escape.

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🔥 4. Bake

1. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20 minutes.
2. Reduce the temperature to 375°F (190°C) and bake for another 35–45 minutes, until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling.
3. If the edges brown too quickly, cover them with foil halfway through baking.

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🍽️ 5. Cool & Serve

• Let the pie cool for at least 2 hours before slicing — this helps the filling set.
• Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a classic touch.

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💡 Tips & Variations

• Caramel Apple Pie: Add ¼ cup caramel sauce to the filling before baking.
• Dutch Apple Pie: Top with a crumb streusel (flour, butter, and brown sugar) instead of the top crust.
• Extra flaky crust: Use a mix of butter and shortening for the pastry.