This easy apple pie recipe is filled with in-season apples, warm spices, lemon juice, and a splash of bourbon. I adapted the recipe that was passed down by my Grandma Annie. It's a special tradition that I know you'll love too!

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My Grandma Annie has been making this easy apple pie recipe since her mother taught her in Germany where she grew up. It came with her when she moved to the United States in 1950 and has been part of my family holidays ever since.

I adapted her recipe slightly by adding bourbon and pouring caramel sauce over the crust before baking. I use fresh apples for the best flavor but you can use canned apple pie filling if you'd like. She also makes her own crust, which you can totally do, but in the interest of making this an easy apple pie recipe, I use the store bought crust.

Every autumn when there is an abundance of apples, I make this apple pie, apple butter, apple sauce, apple cake, and basically anything else I can think of.

You guys know I LOVE making food that sounds like it should be hard but is actually super easy. My philosophy is that with just a small amount of effort, you can make amazing food, stay healthier, and be happier by cooking in your own kitchen while making food from scratch.

Even the small things you might buy from the store on auto-pilot can be made at home. These are the things that can really make an impact on eating healthier. Think about the ingredients in a store-bought apple pie. I can't even pronounce half of them. But I can sure as heck pronounce the ingredients in my recipe.

And the amazing thing about these recipes is that they're usually WAY easier to make at home than you think!

Ingredients

This homemade apple pie is made with fresh apples,

• Apples: The best apples for pie are green ones. They are sturdier and hold up better for baking. They are also tart which mixes well with the other sweet aspects of the pie.
• Flour: A small amount of all-purpose flour is necessary to coat the apples and thicken the juices they make when cooked.
• Sugar: If you are adding the caramel sauce over the top of the apples, I suggest using less sugar in the apple mixture. This will make sure the pie isn't too sweet.
• Spices: You can get creative here depending on the flavors you like. In this recipe I included cinnamon.
• Lemon juice: Lemon juice helps balance the sweetness of the apples and adds a great flavor.
• Bourbon: I like to add a small amount of bourbon to the apple mixture. This gives it a little kick. Don't worry, the alcohol is cooked out, but the flavor remains.
• Caramel sauce: This is optional, but it definitely adds a thick and rich flavor to your pie. It can be poured over the apples or over the entire pie crust. Sally from Sally's Baking Addiction has the BEST recipe for this.
• Pie crust: It's super easy to make your own crust, but in light of making this easier, you can use store-bought crust instead. I like the Pillsbury brand in the refrigerated aisle.

How to make this easy apple pie recipe from scratch

If you've made your crust and caramel sauce (or have store-bought) beforehand, then this process is really just a few steps.

If you're looking for a great pie crust, check out this Easy Pie Crust recipe from The Kitchn.

1. Preheat the oven: Heat to 400° to start. You'll lower the temperature after a few minutes.
2. Prepare the pie crusts: Roll out the pie crusts and lay one in the bottom of the dish, making sure to gently push it back along the sides.
3. Make the apple mixture: Slice the apples and put them in a bowl. Add the cinnamon, flour, bourbon, lemon juice, and sugar, and mix with a wooden spoon until they are coated.
4. Fill the pie: Gently pour or place the apples in the pie dish. It will be slightly mounded in the center, but it will reduce as it bakes.
5. Top with the crust: Create a lattice design or simply lay the top piece right over the pie. Use your fingers to connect the edges, making sure there's a good seal. Brush the caramel sauce over the crust. This will give your pie a gorgeous crispy crust.
6. Bake: Bake at 400° for 10 minutes, then lower the temperature to 375° and continue to bake for 40 minutes. If the crust starts to get too brown, cover it with aluminum foil for the rest of the baking time.

How to store your Apple Pie

This easy apple pie recipe is best eaten on the same day it's made. This way you get to enjoy that crispy crust to the fullest. You can, however, cover it with plastic wrap or transfer it to a plastic container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Tools I use

• Cutting board
• Chef's knife
• Rolling pin
• Mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon
• Pie dish
• Pastry brush

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• Summer Fruit Crisp
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• How To Make Vanilla Extract

If you try it out, let me know how it goes in the comments or on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest.