Old-Fashioned Apple Pie
There’s never a better time to bake an apple pie than during the first cool days of fall. So which of the thousands of varieties of apples is best? For pies and cobblers, you want apples that can withstand heat without losing their shape or zing. Granny Smith (tart and crisp), Golden Delicious (unbeatable crunch and flavor), and Braeburn (sweeter and slightly softer) are all good picks. For an exotic touch, add 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder to the filling. Or, for a savory twist, sprinkle ½ cup grated Cheddar over the top crust about 20 minutes before you remove it from the oven.
How to Make It
Heat oven to 425°F. In a large bowl, combine the apples, flour, sugar, vinegar, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice and toss gently until combined.
Roll one batch of pie dough into an 11-12" round. Gently fit the dough into a 9” pie plate and trim the edges, leaving a 1” overhang on all sides. Fill with the apple mixture, mounding it slightly in the center. Dot with butter. Roll out second batch of dough and place it over the pie. Trim the edges, then crimp with your fingers or a fork.
Use a sharp knife to cut small vents in the top crust. Brush entire surface with beaten egg, then sprinkle with turbinado sugar if using. Place pie on a baking sheet and transfer to oven. Bake for 15 minutes, until crust is just beginning to brown, then lower temperature to 375°F and bake until filling is bubbling and crust is deep golden brown, 45–50 minutes more.
Transfer pie to a rack and cool for at least 1 hour before serving.
