Step 1 of 6
American apple pie
Whisk the flour, salt and sugar in a bowl. Rub or cut in the cold butter until the largest pieces are the size of peas. Sprinkle in the iced water a tablespoon at a time, tossing with a fork, until the dough holds when squeezed. Split it in two, one piece a little larger, flatten each into a disc, wrap and chill for at least an hour.
Tip: Visible flecks of butter are what make it flake. Do not knead it smooth.
Questions about this dish
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.
How long does American apple pie take?
5 hr 50 min all in — 45 min prep, 1 hr 5 min cook, 4 hr rest. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 8 slices. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
Medium.
How spicy is it?
No chilli.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Wheat, Milk, Eggs. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Vegetarian, Nut-free.
11 more questionsFewer questions
What does it cost to cook?
Weeknight budget — about $8–16 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Mixing bowl, Rolling pin, Chef's knife, Baking tray, Oven.
How much salt do I put in?
The recipe lists Salt at 1 tsp.
How much sugar?
1 tbsp of Sugar.
How much sugar?
100 g of Sugar.
How much brown sugar?
50 g of Brown sugar.
How much sugar?
1 tbsp (coarse or demerara, for the top) of Sugar.
What can I use instead?
Half the butter in the pastry → Vegetable shortening or lard. A more tender, crumbly crust that is easier to roll. It is what many older American recipes use. You lose a little flavour. Cornstarch → Twice the amount of plain flour, or tapioca starch. Flour gives a cloudier, softer set. Tapioca gives a clearer, glossier one.
What should I watch for?
Pale pastry and thin, fast-bubbling juice mean the starch has not cooked yet. Keep going.
Any tips from this recipe?
Use a glass or metal pie dish rather than ceramic. The bottom crust browns better, and through glass you can see whether it has. Granny Smiths alone hold their shape but taste flat after baking; sweet apples alone turn to sauce. Mixing them fixes both. The pie keeps two days at room temperature, loosely covered. The fridge softens the crust.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.