Perfect Pi Day Apple Pie

My Favorite Apple Pie Recipe

This is my go-to homemade apple pie recipe. It never fails me. The smell of baking apples and cinnamon is pure happiness. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

I think a classic apple pie is the best kind of Thanksgiving dessert. But we make it for Pi Day every March, too. It’s a fun tradition. What is your favorite holiday for pie?

Secrets for the Filling

Let’s talk about the apple pie filling. The mix of sugars and lemon juice is key. It makes the apples sweet and a little tangy. The cornstarch helps thicken all those yummy juices.

Here’s a *fun fact*: Granny Smith apples are popular for baking. But you can use any kind you have! Mixing types gives great flavor. This matters because baking should be easy, not stressful. Use what’s in your kitchen.

Pie Crust Tips from My Kitchen

Now, for the pie crust tips. Whether you buy dough or make it, keep it cold. A warm crust is hard to handle. I still laugh at the time I tried to roll warm dough. It stuck to everything!

Roll the dough on a well-floured surface. Don’t be afraid to lift and turn it. This matters because a good crust makes the whole pie. Do you have a pie crust story, good or bad? I’d love to hear it.

Making a Lattice Top

A lattice top pie looks fancy but is simple. Just cut your second dough into strips. Weave them over and under on top of the filling. It’s like a cozy blanket for the apples.

If weaving feels tricky, just lay the strips across. It will still be beautiful. The goal is baking with apples and having fun. Will you try a lattice top, or a solid crust with slits?

Baking Your Masterpiece

That first high heat gives the crust a good start. Then we lower it to cook the apples through. Always use a sheet pan underneath. Trust me, you don’t want sticky spills in your oven.

Covering the edges with foil stops them from burning. It’s the best trick for a golden crust. This Pi Day recipe is truly an easy pie recipe. The steps look long, but they are simple. Just take it one step at a time.

Ingredients:

Best Ever Homemade Apple Pie for Pi Day

This classic apple pie recipe is my favorite. It’s perfect for Pi Day or any Thanksgiving dessert. Baking with apples fills the kitchen with a wonderful smell. Doesn’t that smell amazing? I think a homemade apple pie is the best kind of love.

Instructions

Step 1: First, mix your apple pie filling. Toss sliced apples with both sugars and spices. Add the lemon juice and flour. (A hard-learned tip: use a mix of apple types for better flavor). This makes the best homemade apple pie.

Step 2: Now, roll out your first pie dough. Drape it into your pie plate. Pour in that lovely apple pie filling. Dot it with little butter pieces. Do you prefer a solid top or a lattice top pie? Share below!

Step 3: Add your top crust and crimp the edges. Brush it with milk and sprinkle sugar. Always use a sheet pan underneath. This is one of my best pie crust tips. It saves a big oven mess later.

Step 4: Bake your pie, starting hot. Cover the crust edges with foil. This easy pie recipe needs that protection. Later, lower the heat to finish. I still laugh at my first burnt crust!

Step 5: Bake until it’s golden and bubbly. Let it cool completely on a rack. This wait is the hardest part. The filling will thicken as it sits. Then your classic apple pie is ready to slice.

Creative Twists

Serving & Pairing Ideas

Serve a warm slice with vanilla ice cream. The cold cream melts over the hot pie. You could also add a dollop of fresh whipped cream. A little cinnamon sprinkled on top looks pretty. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Pie Perfect for Later

Let’s talk about keeping your pie fresh. A cooled pie can sit on the counter for two days. Just cover it with a bowl. For longer storage, the fridge is your friend. Wrap it well and it will last four days.

You can also freeze a whole baked pie. Let it cool completely first. Wrap it tightly in plastic and foil. It will keep for three months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight when you are ready.

Reheating is simple. Warm slices in a 350-degree oven for 10 minutes. This brings back that fresh-baked feel. I once reheated a slice in the microwave. The crust got soggy! The oven is always better.

Batch cooking is a wonderful trick. Make two pies instead of one. Bake one now and freeze one for later. This saves so much time on a busy day. It means you always have a homemade dessert ready for guests.

Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Pie Problems

Even grandmas run into pie troubles. First, a soggy bottom crust. To fix this, bake your pie on a preheated sheet pan. The extra heat crisps the bottom perfectly. I remember when my filling was too runny.

That brings us to problem two: watery filling. Always use thickeners like flour or cornstarch. Toss your apples well with the sugar and spices. Let the mixture sit for ten minutes. This pulls out some juice before baking.

The third issue is burnt edges. Protect your crust with a pie shield or foil. Remove it for the last part of baking. This gives you a golden, not blackened, edge. Getting these details right builds your confidence.

It also makes your pie taste incredible. A crisp crust and set filling are everything. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Quick Questions, Answered

How to make a perfect apple pie for Pi Day?

Start with a good homemade apple pie recipe. Use very cold butter for your dough. Keep your filling balanced with sugar, lemon, and spices. A lattice top pie lets steam escape beautifully. Bake until the filling is bubbly and the crust is deep golden brown. Let it cool before slicing. This patience gives you the perfect slice of classic apple pie.

What are the best apples for Pi Day apple pie?

Granny Smith apples are the classic choice. They are tart and hold their shape. You can also mix apple types for great flavor. Try using half Granny Smith and half Honeycrisp. This mix gives you the perfect balance in your apple pie filling. Baking with apples that are firm is the best tip. They won’t turn to mush in your oven.

How to cut a pi symbol into a pie crust?

Use a small, sharp knife or a pie crust cutter. Sketch the π symbol on paper first. Place your paper stencil on the rolled dough. Gently trace the shape with your knife. You can also use alphabet cookie cutters. This is a fun Pi Day recipe decoration idea. Remember, simple shapes work best for clean cuts.

What is a unique Pi Day apple pie recipe?

Add a twist to your classic apple pie. Try a caramel swirl apple pie. Mix salted caramel into your apple filling. Another idea is an apple crumb pie with a streusel top. You could even add a handful of cranberries for color. These small changes make a familiar Thanksgiving dessert feel new and special for your Pi Day celebration.

How to make a pie crust with the pi symbol?

Roll out your top pie dough. Cut out your π symbol before placing it on the pie. You can also weave a lattice top and place the symbol on top. Attach it with a little water or milk. These pie crust tips help with decoration. Baking the symbol right on the crust makes a memorable homemade apple pie.

What are some Pi Day pie decorating ideas?

Use pie dough cut-outs of numbers. Arrange “3.14” on your lattice. Create a braided crust edge with the numbers tucked in. Sprinkle coarse sugar in the shape of π. For an easy pie recipe decoration, just score the symbol with a knife. A fun fact: The symbol π is the Greek letter for “p”, which stands for perimeter. Get creative and have fun!

Which tip will you try first?

Bake a Memory

I hope you love this recipe. Baking is about sharing joy and creating memories. The smell of apples and cinnamon is pure happiness. It fills your kitchen with warmth and love.

I would love to hear about your baking adventure. Tell me how your pie turned out. Did your family enjoy it? Have you tried this recipe? Please leave a comment below and share your story with me.

Happy cooking!

—Elena Rutherford

Perfect Pi Day Apple Pie

Author: Elena Rutherford Cooking Method:Baking Cuisine:American Courses:Dessert

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 30 minutesCook time:1 hour 15 minutesRest time:2 hours Total time:3 hours 45 minutesServings:8 servingsCalories:320 kcal Best Season:Summer

Description

Celebrate Pi Day with this classic, perfectly spiced apple pie featuring a flaky double crust and a caramel-like filling.

Ingredients

• 8 medium sized apples, peeled and sliced (Granny Smith are most common, but any variety will do)
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp flour
• 1 tbsp corn starch
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 dash nutmeg
• ¼ tsp kosher salt
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• brush of milk
• sprinkle of coarse sugar
• pie dough for a double crust (store-bought or homemade, such as an all-butter pie crust)

Instructions

Use your favorite pie dough recipe or store bought. Keep cold until ready to use. You will need 2 pie dough pieces for this recipe.

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large bowl, combine all your filling ingredients except for the butter, milk and coarse sugar.
3. On a well floured surface, roll your 1st pie dough out in a large round, large enough to cover a 9″ pie plate.
4. Drape over a 9″ pie plate allowing the excess to drape over. Pour your apple mixture into pie plate and dot with the 2 tablespoons of butter, broken up into pieces. Place in fridge.
5. Roll your 2nd pie dough out and cut into even strips to create a lattice effect. You can also simply roll into a round, drape over pie and cut slits to allow for venting.
6. Whichever style you choose, trim excess dough then crimp together to seal edges.
7. Brush the top of your pie (not crust) with milk then sprinkle with coarse sugar.
8. Place pie on a sheet pan to allow any drips to fall on there instead of your oven.
9. Cover edges of your pie with either a pie shield or tear small sheets of foil and gently fold around edges.
10. Place pie on sheet pan in oven and bake for 15 minutes at 450 degrees.
11. Drop temperature to 375 degrees and bake for another 30 minutes, leave foil on edges.
12. After 30 minutes, remove foil from edges and check top of pie for browning. If the top of pie is becoming too brown, you can drape a loose piece of foil over the whole thing.
13. Bake for another 30 minutes at 375 degrees.
14. Check for a browned bottom crust, a nice golden color on top and caramel-like filling through your holes. Remove from oven, let cool on wire rack then enjoy with ice cream or whipped cream.

Notes

Estimated calorie count is per serving and based on standard ingredients. Actual values may vary.

Keywords:Apple Pie, Pi Day, Dessert, Baking, Pie