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The dessert, From around the world

American apple pie

American apple pie is a cinnamon spiced apple tart with a golden crust, for 6 people. It needs 45 minutes of hands-on work, the dough is made the day before and the pie is baked the morning of. Difficulty is medium, cost is €1.50 per person, and the key to success is mixing tart and sweet apples for a juice that sets just right.

I've got an American apple pie for you, golden and cinnamon spiced, best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

American apple pie
For
6 people
Work
45 min
Total time
3 h 20
Prep
Prepared the day before
Difficulty
Medium
Cost per person
€1.50
Calories per person
560 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Under its crisp golden crust, this pie hides soft apples spiced with cinnamon, with just enough juice to hold each slice together. It's a generous dessert, the kind that gets spoons reaching for it before it's even served, with that contrast between the crunchy top and the tender fruit underneath.

This is the dessert for fall and winter family dinners, the one you set warm in the middle of the table. Kids and adults both love it, and it works just as well after a Sunday roast as at a dinner party on a chilly evening, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting slowly on top.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before 1 step, 1 h
  2. The same day 3 steps, 55 min
  3. Before the guests arrive 1 step, 10 min
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

The day before, make the dough and let it rest in the fridge. The morning of, prepare the apples, assemble the pie and bake it. Right before your guests arrive, warm the pie for ten minutes in a low oven, then serve it warm in slices with a scoop of vanilla ice cream at dessert time.

The ingredients

6 people

Pantry

  • Flouroften in the pantry 350 g
  • Sugaroften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Ice wateroften in the pantry 8 cl
  • Sugar for the applesoften in the pantry 100 g
  • Ground cinnamonoften in the pantry 2 tsp
  • Cornstarchoften in the pantry 2 tbsp

Dairy

  • Cold butter 200 g
  • Butter for the apples 30 g
  • Egg for glazing 1

Fruits and vegetables

  • Apples (Granny Smith and Golden Delicious) 1.2 kg
  • Lemon 1

Frozen foods

  • Vanilla ice cream 50 cl

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Eggs

The recipe, moment by moment

The day beforeWhat's better after resting overnight in the fridge.

  1. Mix the flour, sugar and salt, rub in the cold diced butter until sandy, then bind with the ice water and let the dough rest in the fridge. 1 h

    Keep small visible chunks of butter, they give a flaky crust.

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Peel the apples, slice them thinly and toss with the sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice and cornstarch.

    Toss them with lemon as soon as they're sliced so they don't turn brown.

  2. Roll out two dough rounds, line a pie dish with the first, fill with the apples, dot with butter and cover with the second round.

    Cut a small vent in the center so steam can escape.

  3. Seal the edges, brush with beaten egg and bake at 190°C until the crust is nicely golden. 55 min

    Set the dish on a baking sheet so any juice that spills over doesn't drip inside the oven.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Warm the pie for ten minutes in a low oven. 10 min

    It should come out warm and crisp, not piping hot.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Slice the warm pie and serve each slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

    Let the pie rest for half an hour, the apple juice sets and the slices hold together.

Our tips to get it right

  • Work the dough quickly, by hand or in a food processor, so the butter stays cold, that's what gives you a flaky crust once baked.
  • Drain the apples a little before filling the pie if they release a lot of juice, otherwise the bottom crust can end up soggy.
  • Move the pie to the bottom rack for the last ten minutes of baking if the top browns too fast before the bottom is fully cooked.

The variations

  • Swap part of the apples for firm pears for a milder, less tangy version.
  • Add a handful of chopped pecans between the apple layers for some crunch.
  • For a quicker version, make a single crust pie without a top, finished with a cinnamon crumble instead.

What to serve it with

  • A scoop of vanilla ice cream
  • Hot coffee or tea
  • Warm custard sauce

Storage

The pie keeps 2 to 3 days in the fridge, covered with plastic wrap or in a sealed container. It freezes well once baked and cooled, up to 2 months. Always reheat it in a low oven, never in the microwave, to keep the crust crisp.

Questions about this recipe

Why mix two apple varieties?

Tart apples like Granny Smith hold their shape during baking, while sweet apples like Golden Delicious soften and thicken the juice. This combination gives a richer flavored filling with a texture that's never too dry or too runny.

Can I make the dough in a food processor instead of by hand?

Yes, pulse it for just a few seconds to cut the butter in without overworking it. Add the ice water gradually and stop as soon as the dough comes together, without kneading it further.

How do I keep the bottom crust from turning soggy?

Drain the apples slightly before filling the pie and sprinkle a bit of extra cornstarch on the bottom crust before adding them. Baking on the lower oven rack also helps the bottom cook through properly.

Do kids really enjoy this pie?

Yes, the cinnamon stays mild and the sweet apple juice makes it a familiar dessert for younger kids. You can reduce the cinnamon slightly if your children prefer a more neutral flavor.

Can an American apple pie be made ahead?

Yes, it's even recommended. The recipe needs 45 min of work in total, split up like this, the day before, 1 step, the same day, 3 steps, before the guests arrive, 1 step, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make an American apple pie?

Allow 3 h 20 in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 45 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "medium".

How many calories are in an American apple pie?

About 560 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does an American apple pie cost?

About €1.50 per person, that's €9.00 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, eggs. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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