Making apple pie with precooked apples is my tried-and-true method! Pre-cooking the apple pie filling before baking ensures that the filling is never undercooked or watery. It’s also a great way to avoid that dreaded gap between the baked top crust and the filling.
Today I’m sharing all the secrets for making the best apple pie with precooked apples! Precooking your apple pie filling before baking is a sure way to maintain the right consistency (goodbye undercooked apples!), avoid that dreaded watery filling, and test for sweetness. It’s like a quality check before baking the apple pie! And if you know your apple pie filling tastes good, then you know the pie will be good.
I still remember…6 Thanksgivings ago, I made a beautiful apple pie. I let it cool for 3 hours. I then proceeded to cut into it, and the entire thing was swimming in liquid! It was a huge mess. There was also a huge gap between the top crust and the filling. My heart sunk, as you can imagine.
So, I experimented with precooking the apple pie filling several times, and success! It works every single time. Perfectly soft apple filling, adjusted to my desired sweetness level, and thickened to perfection. I seriously love it!
Why Precook the Apple Pie Filling?
- No more undercooked apples: No chances that the middle will be undercooked!
- Avoid an apple filling that is too watery: Precooking the filling will get rid of extra moisture and ensure that the filling is perfectly thickened before going into the oven.
- Taste and adjust sweetness: Here is where you can make sure the filling sweet enough. You can even add more cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice!
- Avoid the gap between the baked crust and the filling: Sometimes the filling shrinks after the dough has set, leaving a huge gap. Precooking the apple pie filling takes care of that.
Now you can see why I love to make my apple pie this way, right?! I swear it makes my life easier, especially when I’m in charge of bringing the pie!
Best Apples for Apple Pie
Choose your apples wisely. It could make or break your apple pie.
There are 2 important things to keep in mind:
- Do they hold together in the oven? Some apples hold their shape better than others, providing structure to the pie. Good choices: Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Granny Smith. Bad choices: Red delicious (ehem, like…really bad!)
- Are they sweet or tart? This one depends on your preferences. If you like tart apple pies, Granny Smith is the way to go. If you like sweet apple pies, use Honeycrisp or Braeburn. I like a combination of both, leaning more towards sweet.
Here’s my recommendation: Honeycrisp + Granny Smith. I use about a 3:1 ratio between Honeycrisp (6-7 apples) and Granny Smith (2 apples) for a 9-inch pie.
Ingredients for this Classic Apple Pie
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Pie crust: Try my super flaky buttermilk pie crust – ingredients in recipe card below. You can also use your favorite store-bought pie crust to save time.
- Apples: You’ll need about 4 pounds, which is about 8-9 large apples.
- Brown sugar and granulated sugar: Brown sugar will give it a deep molasses-y flavor and the granulated sugar adds sweetness without overpowering it.
- Nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice: My favorite spice trio for apple pie!
- Salt: Salt always brings out the flavors in baking.
- Lemon juice and lemon zest: Not only does the lemon juice add flavor and brightness, it also prevents the apples from browning.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the juices from the apples.
- Unsalted butter: For flavor and richness.
- Egg wash: Made of egg and heavy cream or milk. Using cream or milk will get you a beautiful shiny golden brown color.
How to Make Apple Pie
- Make the pie crust dough and chill: This recipe uses my homemade buttermilk pie crust. It is flaky, tender, and so delicious! It’s the same pie crust I use for my chicken pot pie. After making the dough, refrigerate for at least 1 hour. To speed things up, you can use your favorite store-bought pie crust, but nothing beats a good homemade pie crust!
- Make the apple pie filling: Make sure to slice or cut the apples the same size for even cooking. Then cook the apples with the spices, lemon juice, lemon zest, and cornstarch in a large pot or Dutch oven. Let it cool to room temperature.
- Assemble the pie: Detailed instructions in recipe card!
- Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes only if you’re making a lattice pie crust. This helps to keep the pattern’s shape in the hot oven.
- Brush with egg wash and sprinkle coarse sugar.
- Bake at 400 degrees F for 25 minutes. Put a pie crust shield around the edges. Then reduce temperature to 375 degrees F.
- Let it cool for 3 hours. Yes, 3 hours! This will help the juices thicken.
How to Make a Lattice Pie Crust
I like to make a lattice pie crust because it’s pretty and makes it easier for the steam to escape. If you prefer not to do a lattice pie crust, simply lay the rolled out dough on top and cut slits for the steam to escape.
- Use a 9-inch pie pan. Roll out 1 dough disk to an 12-inch circle. Transfer to the pie pan.
- Add the filling. Make sure it’s cooled. Dot with butter…aka place a few small cubes of butter on top of the filling.
- Roll out the second dough disk to a 12-inch circle. Cut 12 strips of equal width using a pastry wheel or a pizza cutter.
- Lay each 6 strips (alternating) on top of the pie so that they are evenly spaced. Then fold back only 3 of those strips, alternating. Place another strip (from the remaining 6) perpendicular to the ones you folded back. Then fold those back into place.
- Fold the other 3 strips back, and lay another strip (from the remaining 5) perpendicular on top. Then fold them back into place. Repeat until you finish using all the strips. See picture above for a visual representation. As you can tell, it’s not easy to explain in words…
- Refrigerate the pie for 15 minutes before baking. This helps to firm up the dough so that it holds its shape in the oven.
- Brush with egg wash (egg + heavy cream or milk) and sprinkle with coarse sugar right before baking.
Note: For instructions on how to make the pie crust, see recipe card below. It’s super easy!
Make Ahead Apple Pie Instructions
I love the fact that many components of this apple pie can be prepared ahead! Here’s what you can prep in advance:
- Make the pie crust 1 day ahead.
- Make the apple pie filling up to 1 day ahead. Let cool completely at room temperature and refrigerate until ready to use. Store in an airtight container.
Phew! That was a lot to take in.
I hope you can make the best homemade apple pie ever with this method! Just remember, the secret to a great apple pie filling is to precook the apples. This will ensure perfect consistency and balanced sweetness. You’ll also avoid that gap between the crust and the filling.
I hope you like it because I promise it doesn’t get any better than this!
For more Fall baking recipes, check out the following:
- Apple Bundt Cake with Maple Glaze
- Apple Peach Crumb Bars
- Cranberry Scones with Dark Chocolate
- Easy Apple Crisp by Joyous Apron
- Apple Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Braid by The Baking Fairy
Thanks for reading and please don’t forget to pin this recipe! Much appreciated.
Why You Should Precook Your Apple Pie Filling
- No more undercooked apples in the center!
- Avoid an apple filling that is too watery
- Taste and adjust for sweetness and flavor
- Avoid the gap between the baked crust and the filling
If you try my recipe, use #cookingformysoul on Instagram! Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook for the latest fun updates and recipes!
Classic Apple Pie with Precooked Apple Filling
Equipment
- Crust shield
Ingredients
Pie Crust
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 cup very cold or frozen unsalted butter, cut into small cubes - (2 sticks)
- ⅓ cup cold buttermilk
Apple Pie Filling
- 4 pounds apples - (about 8-9 large apples, see note below about recommended types of apples)
- 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, divided
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more if desired
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg, plus more if desired
- ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice, plus more if desired
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Other
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream or whole milk
- Coarse sugar or turbinado sugar - for sprinkling
Instructions
Make the pie crust
- Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor by pulsing a few times. Add the very cold butter cubes (2 sticks, equivalent to 1 cup) and pulse a few times until a pea-size coarse meal forms. Add the buttermilk and run the food processor continuously for several seconds until a dough forms. At first, it will look like it's not coming together but it will.
- Transfer onto a non-floured clean surface. Press to form a dough. Divide the dough in half. Roll each half into balls and flatten into thick disks. Wrap each disk with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour or overnight. Before using, let it sit on the counter for 15 minutes to slightly soften it.
Make the apple pie filling
- Peel apples and cut out the core. Then cut into 1/4 inch slices. They should all be cut to the same size for even cooking.
- In a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon unsalted butter and add the sliced apples, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, salt, lemon juice and lemon zest. Cook, stirring for about 10-15 minutes until apples have slightly softened but not lost their shape.
- Sift and sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons cornstarch and mix (start with 1 tablespoon and add more if needed. The amount of cornstarch depends on the amount of juices released by the apples). Bring to a simmer and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until juices thicken. If not thick enough, add more cornstarch little by little, stirring. Note: sifting the cornstarch beforehand prevents clumps from forming.
- Set aside and let cool at room temperature. Tip: to speed up the cooling process, transfer the apple filling to a large shallow bowl or a large pan.
Assemble the pie and bake
- After the filling has cooled down, preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Cut remaining 1 tablespoon of cold butter into small cubes. Set aside.
- Get a 9-inch round pie pan ready. Roll out the dough to a 12-inch circle using a rolling pin on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thick. Repeat for the second disk.
- Transfer dough to a 9-inch pie pan. Fill with the cooled apple pie filling and dot with the remaining 1 tablespoon butter cut into small cubes. Cover the pie with the second rolled out dough. Trim any overhang or excess dough. Seal edges with a fork or with your fingers. Make a few slits at the top to let the steam escape. Alternatively, you can make a lattice pattern. For instructions, see the “How to Make a Lattice Pie Crust” above.
- If you made a lattice top, refrigerate the pie for about 15-20 minutes. If you did not, skip this step.
- Make the egg wash by whisking the egg with heavy cream or milk. Brush the pie dough with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired.
- Place pie on a large baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes at 400 degrees F. Remove pie from oven and put a pie crust shield or cover edges with foil. Lower oven temperature to 375 F and bake for an additional 30-35 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
- Let it cool on a wire rack for 3 hours before serving. Trust me, if you cut into it before it has cooled down, it will fall apart (been there, done that). Enjoy!
Notes
- Special equipment: food processor, 9 inch round pie pan, pastry wheel or pizza cutter, rolling pin, brush, large sheet pan.
- Choice of apples: I used 6 Honeycrisp apples and 2 granny smith apples. I like the sweet flavor of the Honeycrisp apples plus some tartness from granny smiths.
- Make ahead instructions: The pie crust can be made 1 day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. The apple pie filling can be made 1 day in advance; let it cool completely and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Denise says
Hi, Can I prepare the filling 1-2 weeks ahead and freeze? Would I thaw it for a day or two before using? Will freezing change the texture of the apples? Thanks!
Tania says
It’s fine to make ahead and freeze the filling. Thaw it in the fridge overnight. Texture may change a just a tiny bit, but nothing too major. Let me know how it goes! 🙂
Marianne Lewis says
Hi Tania, this is my new favorite apple pie recipe, just delicious. My question is, can I freeze this pie if I blind bake the bottom crust first? assemble with the pre-cooked filling and an unbaked top crust, or should I forgo baking the bottom crust first?
Tania says
Hi! You don’t have to blind bake the bottom crust first. Make sure the filling is completely cooled down before filling the pie. Once the unabaked pie is prepared, wrap with aluminum foil and then in a large ziploc bag for up to 3 months. To bake at a later day, remember not to thaw it or else it will become soggy. Bake time may need to be a bit longer because the apple pie is frozen. And finally, remember to cover the edges with pie crust shield or foil! 🙂
Amber says
I only used the filling recipe but it was delicious and cooked to perfection! My family loved it. I somehow ended up with enough filling for two pies (using 9 apples), so now I have one in the freezer to bake later!
Tania says
Thank you so much! Glad to hear everyone loved it!
Henricus Henkes says
The pie looks wonderful…..although the bottom crust looks raw. It has not browned and looks the same as before baking. Going to cut into it later today. I baked it in a Pyrex pie plated. Any thoughts?
Tania says
Hmm I’m not sure why that could have been. I’ve baked it on pyrex pans before and it’s fine. Did you bake it in the middle rack of the oven? I always make sure it’s in the middle rack.
Deborah L Thurston says
I always use a metal pie pan which I put on top of a pre heated sheet pan. I preheat the sheet pan while the oven is coming up to temp. The heat from the bottom lets the bottom crust get a fast start on baking. BTW, this is the best apple pie I have ever made!
Steven says
Used the filling portion for apple empanadas ( or little hand held apple pies). Turned out wonderfully, thank you for do this!
Tania says
That’s awesome to hear!
Ashley says
Hello, do you have to precook the pie crust before adding the filling?
Thanks
Tania says
Hi Ashley! No, you don’t have to precook the pie crust.
tommy gibbons says
It’s in the oven now, ready for the 375 deg. I’ll let you know what tomorrowday. After all these plus comments, I’m psyched.
tommy gibbons says
Hey, hear I am with the good news. Pie was best I’ve had in so long. Making another today, apples are cooked and cooling down, dough is in ice box. I’ts raining out here in E. Ky. today, dogs [3] are staying close, thunder. Bye and God bless ya’ll.
Tania says
Thank you so much, Tommy! I am so happy you liked the apple pie. Take care!
Olga says
Hello Tania!!!!!
I love apple pie, the ones in the red box, they sell in supermarkets and some grocery stores is the one I got addicted to, I have tried some “home baked” they did not tickle my enamel.
For over 4 decades dreamed of baking an apple pie ? because of the virus I accumulated over 20 apples?? they were spoiling. Yesterday decided to do it read your recepie, problem, aside from overly ripe these are not apples for pies, no matter lets go.
Your recepie is cooling down as I type, but I already taste it. I do not have a drooling emoji. TANIA!!! It is fantastic inspite of the apples. All I did was cut the cooking time, I cut them too thin for my taste beside that ??????? my very first apple pie a blow out succes.
Tank you Tania
You the woman
The pie woman
????
Olga
Tania says
Hi Olga, I am SO happy to hear!! And thank you for your kind comment. Waiting for the pie to cool down is always the hardest part, isn’t it?
Katie says
Is it possible to make the filling and crust, assemble the pie, freeze it uncooked, and cook it at a later date?
Tania says
Hi Katie! Yes, I think so! Make sure the filling is completely cooled down before filling the pie. Once the unabaked pie is prepared, wrap with aluminum foil and then in a large ziploc bag for up to 3 months. To bake at a later day, remember not to thaw it or else it will become soggy. Bake time may need to be a bit longer because the apple pie is frozen.
Your Majestry says
I have made the pre cooked before. And I make it ahead and freeze the assemble pie and it comes out wonderful. I am trying your recipe for this Thanksgiving!
Angela Brunette says
Delicious! Thanks!
Shakira says
Hi I didn’t see baking instructions… maybe I missed it
Tania says
Hi! Baking instructions are in step 7 🙂
Tiffany R. says
I have never made a pie before EVER! I tried 2 completely separate recipes. This recipe came out so PERFECT. My mom made an apple pie but didn’t precook the apples and when we cut into her pie there was a lot of juices in the dish – which made it look runny – and made the crust soggy overnight. This recipe – the pie looked stuffed with apples, there was NO runny fluids at all, my grandmother said that this recipe is worthy of winning pie contests :-), and 2 days after making the pie the crust is still good – the apples are firm and delicious. This is a winner!
Tania says
Hi Tiffany – I am SO happy to hear!! Thank you so much for your kind words and for trying my apple pie recipe 🙂 Happy holidays!
Patty says
This apple pie was incredible . My husband and I love homemade pies and this one was so delicious. The crust was so flaky too. So much better than anything store bought.
Tania says
So happy to hear! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Sandy Hamm says
As opposed to a Tiffany R (comment Dec 27), I’ve made hundreds of pies before and plenty of apple pies. I sought out this recipe because I wanted to try pre-cooking the apples.
I went a bit heavy on the apple mixture and used a deep dish pie plate. EXCELLENT. I wish I could upload an image. It’s more work than not pre-cooking, but well worth it.
Thank you Tania,
Sandy
Jef S says
I cheated by using a premade Pillsbury pie crust but other than that, I pretty much followed the recipe. I served it at Thanksgiving and everyone loved it. I’ve had several friends and 1 son request apple pie for Christmas Dinner. Honeycrisp apples are more expensive than some of the others but they’re very well worth it. Great tasting, easy to follow recipe. This one goes into the “make again” box.
Tania says
Thank you, Jef! Glad you liked it! 🙂
LorraineD says
I’ve always wondered how some double crusted apple pies were filled to the top of the towering crust, while others were disappointingly hollow.
Thank you for this detailed, easy to follow recipe. I will make it for New Years Day dinner.
Happy New Year
Rosie Miller says
Did you have a problem with the lattice not cooking completely on the thicker parts of the lattice?( with the Pillsbury crust )
Kathy says
I lay 1/2 of the lattice sprinkled w/ sugar in 1 direction only for the first part of baking, then add it in the opposite direction, sprinkled with sugar and continue baking at the lower temp. That solved the undercooked lattice problem for me.
Marlene says
How long do you bake it after you turn it down to 375°?
Tania says
After you turn it down to 375 degrees F, bake for an additional 30-35 minutes.