America's Classic Apple Delight: Homemade Apple Pie

Homemade apple pie is a timeless classic that evokes memories of warm, comforting aromas wafting through the kitchen. It's a quintessential dessert that combines the tartness of apples with the sweetness of sugar, and the warmth of cinnamon and nutmeg, all baked to perfection in a flaky, buttery crust.

The filling of a homemade apple pie typically consists of freshly peeled and sliced apples, tossed with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of lemon juice to balance the flavours. The apples soften during baking, creating a luscious, caramel-like sauce that envelops the fruit, resulting in a burst of sweet-tart flavours with each bite.

The crust of a homemade apple pie is a Labor of love. It's made from scratch using flour, butter, salt, and water, rolled out to a perfect thickness and draped over the pie dish, crimped along the edges for a decorative touch. The crust bakes to a golden brown, adding a delicate crunch that complements the softness of the apple filling.

The aroma of a homemade apple pie baking in the oven is heavenly. The sweet scent of apples and warm spices fills the air, promising a cosy and delicious treat. As the pie bakes, the juices from the apples mingle with the sugar and spices, creating a bubbling, fragrant filling that beckons with its inviting aroma.

Served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, homemade apple pie is the epitome of comfort food. The combination of the tender apples, sweet filling, and flaky crust creates a harmonious medley of flavours and textures that is both nostalgic and indulgent. Each bite is a symphony of tastes, from the tangy apples to the rich spices to the buttery crust, creating a culinary experience that warms the heart and satisfies the soul.•
1 3/4 cups (260g) plain flour, plus extra for dusting
• 1/2 cup (75g) self-raising flour
• 185g unsalted butter, chilled, cut into small pieces
• 1/3 cup (75g) caster sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp chilled water
• 1 tbsp milk
• Demerara sugar or caster sugar, to sprinkle