Deep Dish Apple Pie

Few desserts evoke the cozy comfort of home quite like a Deep Dish Apple Pie. With its buttery, flaky crust and layers of tender, cinnamon-spiced apples, this pie is a timeless classic that’s perfect for any occasion—whether it’s a holiday feast or a simple family dessert. The deep dish style means more apples and more crust, delivering a luscious, overflowing slice that’s as satisfying to make as it is to eat. Let’s dive into the delicious details and make a pie that will quickly become a household favorite.

Why You’ll Keep Making It

This Deep Dish Apple Pie is more than just a dessert; it’s an experience. The crust is rich, flaky, and buttery, providing the perfect contrast to the soft, warmly spiced apple filling. Because it’s baked in a deep dish pan, you get generous layers of apples that soak up all the cinnamon and nutmeg, resulting in a juicy, flavorful bite every time.

What makes this pie stand out? It’s the balance of flavors and textures—sweet and tart apples, the slight crunch of the crust, and the subtle hint of lemon juice that brightens every mouthful. Plus, the recipe uses simple pantry staples and classic techniques, making it approachable for bakers of all skill levels. Once you taste this pie, you’ll want to reach for it again and again.

Ingredient Breakdown

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour: The base of the pie crust, providing structure and flakiness.
• 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavor of the crust and balances the sweetness of the filling.
• 1 teaspoon sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to the crust for better browning.
• 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and diced: Key to a tender, flaky crust. Cold butter creates steam pockets during baking.
• 6 to 8 tablespoons ice water: Helps bring the dough together without melting the butter.
• 6 to 8 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced: The heart of the pie. Choose a mix of tart and sweet apples for complexity.
• ¾ cup sugar: Sweetens the filling and helps create a luscious syrup as the pie bakes.
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour: Thickens the apple juices to prevent a soggy crust.
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic spice that’s classic in apple pies.
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg: Provides a subtle earthy warmth to the filling.
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice: Brightens the apple flavor and prevents browning.
• 1 tablespoon butter: Dotting the filling for added richness and a glossy finish.
• 1 egg yolk: Used for an egg wash that creates a golden, shiny crust.
• 1 tablespoon milk: Mixed with the egg yolk for the egg wash.

Equipment at a Glance

• Deep dish pie pan (9-inch): Essential for the signature thick filling and crust ratio.
• Mixing bowls: For combining dough ingredients and mixing the apple filling.
• Pastry cutter or food processor: To cut butter into flour efficiently.
• Rolling pin: For rolling out the pie dough evenly.
• Sharp knife or mandoline: For slicing apples uniformly.
• Pastry brush: To apply egg wash for that perfect golden crust.
• Baking sheet: To catch any drips and ensure even baking.

Deep Dish Apple Pie in Steps

Step 1: Prepare the Pie Crust

In a large bowl, whisk together 2 ½ cups flour, salt, and sugar. Add the chilled, diced butter. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces. Gradually add 6 tablespoons of ice water, tossing with a fork until the dough begins to clump together. Add more water, one tablespoon at a time, if needed. Form the dough into two disks, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour.

Step 2: Make the Apple Filling

Peel, core, and slice 6 to 8 apples. In a large bowl, toss the apples with sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Make sure every slice is well-coated. Set aside to let the flavors meld while you roll out the dough.

Step 3: Roll Out the Dough and Assemble

On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disk into a 12-inch circle. Transfer it carefully to your deep dish pie pan, pressing it gently into the bottom and up the sides. Pour the apple filling into the crust. Dot the filling evenly with 1 tablespoon of butter.

Roll out the second dough disk to a similar size and place it over the filling. Trim any excess dough and crimp the edges to seal. Cut a few slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.

Step 4: Apply Egg Wash and Bake

Whisk together the egg yolk and milk. Brush the mixture over the pie crust for a beautiful golden finish. Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any drips. Bake in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for about 50-60 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the filling bubbles through the slits. If the crust browns too quickly, tent it with foil.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Let the pie cool for at least 2 hours to allow the filling to set. Serve warm or at room temperature, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Easy Ingredient Swaps

• Butter: Substitute with chilled coconut oil for a dairy-free crust alternative.
• Apples: Use pears or a combination of apples and pears for a different fruity twist.
• Sugar: Replace granulated sugar with brown sugar or coconut sugar for a deeper flavor.
• Milk: Use almond milk, oat milk, or any preferred plant-based milk for the egg wash.
• Flour: For a gluten-free version, try a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.

Pitfalls & How to Prevent Them

• Soggy Bottom Crust: Ensure the bottom crust is well chilled before adding the filling. You can also pre-bake the crust for 10 minutes (blind bake) to create a barrier.
• Runny Filling: Toss the apples with flour and sugar well to thicken juices. Avoid using overly juicy apple varieties alone.
• Crust Burning: Watch the pie closely. If the edges brown too fast, cover them with foil halfway through baking.
• Dry Crust: Use enough ice water to keep the dough moist but don’t overwork it to avoid toughness.

Storage & Reheat Guide

Store leftover Deep Dish Apple Pie covered loosely with foil or plastic wrap at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, refrigerate it for up to 5 days or freeze the whole pie or individual slices for up to 3 months.

To reheat, warm slices in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Avoid microwaving as it can make the crust soggy. Reheating restores the pie’s fresh-baked texture and flavor beautifully.

Questions People Ask

Can I use any type of apple for this pie?

Absolutely! A mix of tart and sweet apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Fuji works best for balanced flavor and texture. Avoid very soft varieties that may turn mushy during baking.

What if I don’t have a deep dish pie pan?

You can use a standard 9-inch pie pan, but the filling will be less thick. Alternatively, a deep skillet or casserole dish can be used, adjusting baking times accordingly.

How do I prevent the crust from shrinking?

Chill your dough well before rolling and avoid stretching it when placing it into the pan. Also, let the filled pie chill in the fridge for 15 minutes before baking to help it keep its shape.

Can I make the pie crust ahead of time?

Yes! Pie dough can be made up to 3 days in advance and kept refrigerated, or frozen for up to a month. Just thaw in the fridge before rolling out.

Similar Recipes

• Apple Fritter Cake – A moist, spiced cake with chunks of juicy apples and a crunchy topping.
• Skillet Peach Cobbler With Fresh Peaches – A quick, comforting dessert with fresh fruit and a tender biscuit topping.
• Zucchini Bread Pancakes Maple Pecan Syrup – Breakfast meets dessert with these flavorful pancakes that have a subtle veggie twist.

Save & Share

Love this Deep Dish Apple Pie recipe? Save it to your favorite recipe collection or pin it on Pinterest to make later. Sharing the joy of a warm homemade pie with friends and family is the best part of baking. Tag your photos and let everyone know where they can find this delicious recipe!

Making this Deep Dish Apple Pie is like creating a little slice of nostalgia filled with sweet, spiced apples and wrapped in a buttery crust. Whether you’re baking it for a special occasion or simply to enjoy a comforting treat at home, this pie is a reliable crowd-pleaser. Once you master these steps, you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe time and time again—because some classics never go out of style.

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