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.
william says
Hi, I used Granny Smith apples and thought i more or less made even slices, but a 1/3 or so of the apples ended up almost liquified. I haven’t baked the pie yet, but will that be a problem for the end product?
Tania says
Hi! you can try to remove some of the excess liquid to prevent it from getting soggy.
Erin H. says
Tania, thank you for this recipe!! It’s awesome and surprisingly easy to follow despite being long and relatively complicated. I made it for the first time in 2019 (first attempt at apple pie) and it resulted in me being on permanent pie duty for our annual Friendsgiving.
Judy S. says
I’m not sure if I can get Honey crisp apples here in Alberta Canada. Will Macintosh apples work?
Tania says
Mcintosh apples tend to break down a bit too much when cooked, in my opinion. Other great options are: Fiji, Braeburn, or a combination of those and Granny Smith.
Elizabeth says
I just enjoyed the best piece of apple pie I’ve ever eaten. This recipe was incredible! I used honeycrisp, Granny Smith and golden delicious apples. The bottom crust turned out flakey, tender and delicious. My son begged me for a crumb topping so I did the Dutch topping instead of crust. Both are equally amazing! Thank you so much for sharing!
lena says
My man always wanted me to try to make apple pie. I tried your recipe on Sunday he loved it. I used a store bought pie crust it turned out perfect my 1st try making a pie he wants me to make him another one. Thank You Tania for a great apple pie recipe…
Barry says
This apple pie is delicious. The combination of lemon/lemon zest with the other spices is really amazing. Best apple pie we’ve eaten in this home! For the crust, we just used 1/2 cup of crisco oil and 1/2 cup of margarine. We added about a 1/3 cup of cold Almond milk and used a pastry blender to break up the “fat” pieces into smaller crumbs. We didn’t need to refrigerate the crust before using it.
Jessica says
Though this pie was quite delicious, I personally found it too tart and acidic. I will make it again but cut out the lemon zest.
lena says
Hi how long do i let the filling cool on the table before i can bake it my 1st apple pie thank you
Tania says
I’d say about 30-40 minutes. It’s okay if it’s a little warm. Spreading the filling onto a thinner layer will expedite the cooling process.
Jason Healey says
Hello Tania,
Thank you for this great and if someone things about it an obvious tip. Pre-cooking the apples first. Brilliant . If I was smarter, four pies ago, this would have saved me so much agony. Love your site and your recipes. Keep up the good work, and keep cooking. You are a great inspiration.
Jason
Tania says
Thanks so much for your kind words, Jason!
Kristy says
The pie crust was perfect. Will definitely use again. The sauce was perfect and thick when I made the pie, but was runny after it baked. Delicious flavor though. Too many apples. I’d probably use 4-5 apples next time. And the apples were crunchy after the pie was done. I prefer soft apples in my pies. Overall, some things I would tweak, but definitely keeping the pie crust and method of the sauce.
CHERYL S. says
Do you think that precooking and putting in cold apples enables the bottom crust to cook better? I’m guessing there is less ‘wet’ on top of it so it will not get as soggy in the initial stages but curious as to what you think. I didn’t see this as a benefit in your list for precooking so thought I’d ask. Thank you for the wonderful details in your recipes!
Tania says
Yes, definitely! It will prevent the crust from getting soggy. If you’d prefer, you can blind-bake the bottom crust for 15-20 minutes at 375 degrees F first. To do this, place parchment paper on top of the dough and fill with pie weight or beans.
Therese Sia says
Hi Tania, do I have to reduce the baking time if I plan to use a pre-baked pie crust?? Your recipe looks really impressive and I really would like to give it a go!! Btw, can I know weight of the butter in grams for the pastry and is the outcome of the crust just as good without butter milk as advised. Many thanks for sharing my dear.
Tania says
Hi there! If you are using pre-baked crust, you can reduce the baking time until your crust is golden brown. Otherwise, it could burn. For the pie crust, you need 227 grams of unsalted butter (equiv to 1 cup). I’ve made it with both buttermilk and water, and with buttermilk it comes out more tender, richer, and golden brown. However, if you don’t have buttermilk, you can use cold water – it will work. Hope it helps! Here’s a full tutorial on pie dough.
Coco says
Hello,
If it’s a 24cm pie plate – what changes is needed to be made?
Thank you
Tania says
Hi Coco! You can just roll the dough a bit more to fit a 24cm pan as long as it’s not too thin. The filling should be enough for the 24cm pie pan.
Diana Grubbs says
How do you precook the apples? I didn’t see that information.
Tania says
Hi Diana, the instructions are under “Make the apple pie filling” within the recipe card.
Debbie S says
After 65 years, the has allowed me to enjoy baking/cooking. My hubby loves apple pies from Publix so why not just buy those you say….well I’m determined to make a pie that is better than the one he loves so much. I did try one pie last week that was not pre-bake and I wasn’t happy with consistency. Also lemon was overpowering. Will pre-cooking help reduce lemon taste? Like I say it was my first pie and unfortunately it didn’t make the cut…lol. I’m excited to try your recipe.
Tania says
Hi Debbie! You can adjust the amount of lemon juice to taste by adding a little bit at a time. Let me know how it turns out!