Grandma's Old-Fashioned Apple Pie

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A timeless dessert featuring a flaky, buttery crust enveloping tender Granny Smith apples spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, slow-cooked to perfect tenderness. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 120 minutes layers all-purpose flour, salt, unsalted butter into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 60 min Cook: 60 min Serves 8 American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Prepare crust: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon salt. Cut in 3/4 cup cold unsalted butter using a pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add 1/4 cup ice water, mixing until dough forms. Divide into two disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  2. Step 2: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Peel, core, and slice 6 medium Granny Smith apples 1/4-inch thick. In a bowl, toss apples with 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg until evenly coated.
  3. Step 3: Roll out one dough disk to fit a 9-inch pie dish, place in dish, and trim edges. Pour apple filling into crust. Roll out second dough disk, place over filling, seal edges by crimping with a fork, and cut 4 slits in top. Brush top with 1 tablespoon melted unsalted butter and 1 beaten egg.
  4. Step 4: Bake for 50-60 minutes, until crust is golden brown and filling bubbles through slits. Let cool 2 hours before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grandma's Old-Fashioned Apple Pie take to make?

Total time is about 120 minutes (60 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.

How do I store leftover Grandma's Old-Fashioned Apple Pie?

Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grandma's Old-Fashioned Apple Pie?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Grandma's Old-Fashioned Apple Pie for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Grandma's Old-Fashioned Apple Pie?

American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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