Apple Pie a la Mode
Apple Pie a la Mode: a comforting, classic dessert that brings together tender apple filling, buttery crust and melty vanilla sweetness in every bite. Made with Golden Delicious apple slices, this homemade pie is sweet, spiced with cinnamon and baked in a crisp and flaky pie crust with either a simple top or a traditional lattice crust.
This apple pie recipe even won me a family contest first-place championship! I've made a lot of apple pies, but this one - with its buttery bottom crust, classic lattice crust, and perfectly tender apple slices took home the crown.
If you haven't figured it out by now, I love making pies. Here are some other pies, savory and sweet, you might want to try: Pecan Pie or Leftover Turkey Pot Pie.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Classic and Comforting: My apple pie filling is perfectly spiced and baked to just the right tenderness. Served with ice cream, it's the perfect dessert.
- Simple Ingredients: With just apples, cinnamon, sugar and pastry, it proves less really is more.
- Great for Any Season: Fresh apples can be found any time of year, warm it up in the cooler months or serve with ice cream in the summer.
- Fun to Make and Serve: The lattice crust is easier than it looks and adds a rustic, beautiful finish.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review
"The best apple pie I've ever tasted!"
-Lisa
Ingredients
This recipe comes together with minimal fuss and just a handful of simple, everyday ingredients.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Pie Crusts: We love using our Crisco Pie Crust homemade, but you can use store-bought.
- Golden Delicious Apples: A naturally sweet and tender variety of apple ideal for baking.
For this easy pie recipe, you'll want to have on hand a pie dish, mixing bowls and a basting brush. I love my apple peeler and corer, but you can do it by hand with a veggie peeler.
Variations
- Different Apple Varieties: Use your favorite apple, we recommend mixing in Granny Smith apples for a tarter pie or try Honeycrisp for a firmer texture.
- Add Brown Sugar: Swap half the granulated sugar for brown sugar for a deeper, more caramel-like filling.
- Try a Graham Cracker Crust: This crunchy crust is an option for a more casual or no-bake spin.
- Oat Topping: Make yourself an apple crisp instead and crumble an oat topping over your apple pie filling.
How To Make Apple Pie a la Mode
Making this homemade apple pie is easier than you think.
Preheat oven to 425F. If using our homemade pie crust, lightly flour a surface and roll dough out ⅛" thick, and lay the dough into a 9-inch pie dish leaving about ¾" overhang, fold the overhang so the pie edge stands up, then crimp the edges. Add parchment paper, pie weights and pre-bake for 15 minutes.
If using store-bought, thaw pie crusts based on package instructions, and pre-bake the same way.
In a small mixing bowl make your cinnamon sugar by combining sugar, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.
Peel apples and slice into ⅛" size pieces. Place into a large bowl, then sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar and mix. Work in batches for more even mixing, if needed.
Place the apples in the pie dish and arrange them with a slightly elevated peak in the center.
For a lattice top, roll out your second pie crust ⅛" thick and cut 1" strips. Using a pizza cutter (or sharp knife) and rolling pin guides make this process very easy.
Start by placing them in one direction (top to bottom), then as you start the other direction (left to right), lift every other one to create the weave pattern. Do this until complete.
Pinch the edges together with the overhanging bottom crust and then crimp together with a fork.
With a basting brush, brush the edges and top of the crust for a golden-brown pie, then place a few butter cubes between some of the lattice.
Bake at 400F for 15 minutes, then lower to 375F for 40 minutes or until filling is bubbling.
Remove from oven and let pie sit for 45-60 minutes before serving.
Hint: A lattice crust can feel intimidating. For a simpler option, lay a full crust over the apples, cut a few slits in the center, then crimp the edges with a fork.
Recipe Tips
- Aluminum Foil: Tent the pie partway through baking if the edges brown too quickly.
- Let it Rest: Allow the pie to cool before slicing so the sauce can set, and it holds together.
- Even Slices: Slicing apples evenly ensures a balanced and tender bake.
- Serving Temp: Serve warm to the contrast with cold ice cream on top.
- Use a Pie Server: This helps lift out perfect serving pieces without breaking the crust.
Another cozy classic to keep on repeat is our Pumpkin Pie.
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Storage Instructions
- Room Temperature: Keep the pie loosely covered, out of direct sun, with foil or a piece of plastic wrap for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container or wrap the pie plate with plastic wrap. Keeps well for 4-5 days.
- Freezer: Wrap individual serving pieces or the entire whole pie in foil and place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Warm slices in the oven at 300F for 10-15 minutes or in the microwave incrementally for 30-45 seconds to recreate that fresh-baked taste.
Serving Suggestions
Apple Pie Recipe FAQs
Yes. Let the pie rest 45-60 minutes after baking so the filling sets and slices hold together.
Yes. Bake it fully, cool, then store covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat before serving.
Golden Delicious is a favorite, but mixing Granny Smith with Honeycrisp gives a great balance of tart and sweet.
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Apple Pie a la Mode
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Rolling Pin
- 9-inch Pie Dish
- Pizza Cutter/Sharp Knife
- Basting Brush
- Apple Corer and Peeler optional
Ingredients
- 2 9- inch pie crusts homemade or store-bought
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 5 cups apples Golden Delicious (4-5 apples)
- 1 tablespoon whole milk
- 2 tablespoon butter unsalted, cold and cubed small (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425F. If using our homemade pie crust, lightly flour a surface and roll dough out ⅛" thick, and lay the dough into a 9-inch pie dish leaving about ¾" overhang (check out our Crisco Pie Crust recipe), fold the overhang so the pie edge stands up, then crimp the edges. Add parchment paper, pie weights and pre-bake for 15 minutes. If using store-bought, thaw pie crusts based on package instructions, and pre-bake the same way.
- In a small mixing bowl make your cinnamon sugar by combining sugar, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.
- Peel apples and slice into ⅛" size pieces. Place into a large bowl, then sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar and mix. Work in batches for more even mixing, if needed.
- Place the apples in the pie dish and arrange them with a slightly elevated peak in the center.
- For a lattice top, roll out your second pie crust ⅛" thick and cut 1" strips. Using a pizza cutter and rolling pin guides make this process very easy.
- Start by placing them in one direction (top to bottom), then as you start the other direction (left to right), lift every other one to create the weave pattern. Do this until complete.
- Pinch the edges together with the overhanging bottom crust and then crimp together with a fork.
- With a basting brush, brush the edges and top of the crust for a golden-brown pie, then place a few butter cubes between some of the lattice.
- Bake at 400F for 15 minutes, then lower to 375F for 40 minutes or until filling is bubbling.
- Remove from oven and let pie sit for 45-60 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Customize Pie Top: A lattice crust can feel intimidating. For a simpler option, lay a full crust over the apples, cut a few slits in the center, then crimp the edges with a fork.
- Aluminum Foil: Tent the pie partway through baking if the edges brown too quickly.
- Let it Rest: Allow the pie to cool before slicing so the sauce can set, and it holds together.
- Even Slices: Slicing apples evenly ensures a balanced and tender bake.
- Serving Temp: Serve warm to the contrast with cold ice cream on top.
- Use a Pie Server: This helps lift out perfect serving pieces without breaking the crust.
Nutrition
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This is one of those recipes that I am asked to make year after year for family occasions and I am excited to do it! It looks like a lot of work, but it is quite easy to make and SO tasty!
Honestly, the first pie I have ever made where I could say I am proud of the crust, it’s apple pie no big deal, right? Wrong! It embraces the holiday season the aroma is reminiscent of family and memories and food doesn’t normally do that for me but this apple pie was fantastic and it prompted lots of conversation around the table and it made a new memory so thank you for that.!!!
Oh wow. Thank you so much for that Nicole. We are so happy to help bring additional memories to your family.
I tried this recipe and it turned out amazing! The instructions were clear and easy to follow, and the result was delicious. This is definitely a recipe I’ll be making again.
We are so thrilled you enjoyed the recipe, this is a to-go one in our house as well!
Amazing!
Crust is perfection! Definitely my go to recipe for the next family function.
We love to hear that Jennifer, thanks for trying it!
I used a homemade crust because it was easier for me but this was a great pie recipe, I'll definitely make it again.
Store-bought definitely works great! We are happy you enjoyed the recipe.
The best apple pie I've ever tasted!
That makes us so happy, thank you for sharing your experience with us!