Apple Pie

It's a perfect dessert, especially during the fall season.

Ingredients:

For the Pie Crust:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water

For the Apple Filling:

• 6 cups peeled, cored, and sliced apples (a mix of tart and sweet varieties like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

For Assembly:

• 1 tablespoon butter (for dotting on top)
• 1 egg (for egg wash)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (for sprinkling)

Instructions:

For the Pie Crust:

1. Prepare Dough:
   • In a food processor, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Add chilled butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Add Ice Water:
   • With the processor running, gradually add ice water until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix. Divide the dough into two disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

For the Apple Filling:

1. Preheat Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Prepare Apples:
   • In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice to prevent browning.
3. Add Sugar and Spices:
   • In a small bowl, mix together granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and flour. Add this mixture to the sliced apples and toss until the apples are well coated.

Assembling and Baking:

1. Roll Out Pie Crust:
   • Roll out one disk of pie dough and fit it into a 9-inch pie dish. Trim the excess dough, leaving a little overhang.
2. Fill with Apple Mixture:
   • Pour the prepared apple filling into the pie crust, mounding it slightly in the center. Dot the filling with small pieces of butter.
3. Roll Out Second Pie Crust:
   • Roll out the second disk of pie dough and place it over the apple filling. Trim the excess dough and crimp the edges to seal.
4. Cut Slits:
   • Cut a few slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
5. Brush with Egg Wash:
   • Beat the egg and brush it over the top crust for a golden finish.
6. Sprinkle Sugar:
   • Sprinkle granulated sugar over the top crust for added sweetness.
7. Bake:
   • Place the pie on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
8. Cool:
   • Allow the apple pie to cool before slicing. This helps the filling set.
9. Serve:
   • Serve your delicious homemade apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired.