World’s Best Apple Pie

Ingredients

  • 4 apples (a mix of Honeycrisp and McIntosh, totaling about 3 pounds)

  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar

  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (for crust)

  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg

  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 2 tablespoons mascarpone cheese

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • Pinch of pink Himalayan salt

  • Extra-virgin Italian olive oil (for optional crust)

For the Pie Crust: You can use your own pie crust recipe or follow the instructions provided in the video.

For Decorating the Pie:

  • Extra pie crust cuttings (for decoration)

  • 1 egg (for egg wash)

How to Prepare

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) on the middle rack.

  2. Prepare the Apples: Peel and core the apples, then cut them into quarter to half-inch chunks. Place them in a large bowl.

  3. Add Salt: Sprinkle a quarter teaspoon of pink Himalayan salt over the apples. Stir to coat and let them sit for about 15 minutes to draw out some of the moisture.

  4. Prepare the Lemon: Zest the lemon and add the zest to the apples. Cut the lemon in half and juice it, adding the juice to the apples as well. Stir to combine.

  5. Thicken the Filling: Sprinkle two tablespoons of all-purpose flour over the apples and mix well to coat the apples evenly. This will help thicken the filling.

  6. Add Spices and Sweeteners: Add 3/4 cup of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground nutmeg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the apple mixture. Mix until well combined.

  7. Incorporate Mascarpone and Butter: Add 2 tablespoons of mascarpone cheese and 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter (cut into small pieces) to the apple mixture. Stir until the butter and mascarpone are evenly distributed.

  8. Roll Out the Pie Crust: Roll out your prepared pie crust into two circles, one for the bottom and one for the top crust.

  9. Fill the Pie: Place the bottom crust into a pie dish. Add the apple filling to the crust.

  10. Add Top Crust: Cover the pie with the second pie crust. Fold the edges of the top crust over the edges of the bottom crust and crimp to seal the pie. Trim any excess dough.

  11. Ventilation: Use a sharp knife to make several small slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking.

  12. Egg Wash: Whisk an egg with a tablespoon of cold water and brush it over the top crust for a golden finish.

  13. Decorate the Pie (Optional): You can use extra pie crust cuttings to create decorative shapes on top of the pie. Attach them with a dab of the egg wash.

  14. Sugar Topping: Sprinkle a teaspoon of granulated sugar over the top crust for added sweetness and crunch.

  15. Baking: Place the pie on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (to catch any drips) and bake in the preheated oven. Start at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 325°F (163°C) for an additional 60 minutes or until the crust is golden brown, and the filling is bubbling.

  16. Cool and Serve: Allow the pie to cool for at least an hour before slicing and serving. Enjoy your delicious homemade apple pie!

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