Rustic Apple Pie

Rustic Apple Pie is a charming, homemade dessert that captures the essence of comfort and tradition. With its flaky, buttery crust and a filling of tender, spiced apples, this pie is both simple and satisfying. The beauty of a rustic apple pie lies in its imperfections—no need for perfect edges or a flawless top crust. This pie is all about letting the natural flavors of fresh apples shine, enhanced by cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of sugar. Whether served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or on its own, this pie is sure to evoke a sense of warmth and nostalgia.

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 6-8 tablespoons ice water

For the Filling:

• 6 cups thinly sliced apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

For the Topping:

• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 1 tablespoon coarse sugar (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Crust: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend it into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing just until the dough comes together. Divide the dough in half, shape into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
2. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
3. Make the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Toss until the apples are evenly coated.
4. Assemble the Pie: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to fit a 9-inch pie dish, leaving some overhang. Transfer the dough to the pie dish. Fill with the apple mixture and dot with the small pieces of butter. Roll out the second disc of dough and place it over the filling. Trim any excess dough and crimp the edges to seal. Cut a few small slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
5. Bake the Pie: Brush the top crust with the beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If the edges of the crust start to brown too quickly, cover them with foil.
6. Cool and Serve: Allow the pie to cool for at least 2 hours before slicing to ensure the filling sets properly.

Enjoy your Rustic Apple Pie with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect finishing touch!