When the leaves turn brown and the air turns crisp, there are few desserts that hit the spot more than a good old fashioned apple pie. Whether for dessert at Thanksgiving or just because, it’s a great way to enjoy something warm and indulgent while making use of seasonal produce. While you can certainly go with a store-bought pie, baking from scratch allows for more control over the ingredients, with the bonus of making your kitchen smell like a bakery. Read on for some tips to take your apple pie game to the next level.
Choose the Right Apples
To create a pie with a balanced flavor profile, opt for a blend of sweet and tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Braeburn. Sweeter varieties will give your pie a dessert-like feel and enhance the flavors of the sugar and spices, while tart apples will keep things light by serving as a bold, zingy contrast. Experiment with different combinations until you find one that you love.
Precook Your Apples
The key to a perfect apple pie lies in the texture of the filling. Precooking your apples before adding them to your crust will give them a tender, melt-in-your-mouth consistency and help to prevent a soggy bottom crust. Just slice and sauté in a pan with some butter, sugar, and spices until they begin to soften and release their juices.
Elevate the Flavors
Choosing the right apples is only the first step in making your apple pie filling. Once you’ve decided which varieties to use, play around with adding other ingredients such as citrus zest, cinnamon, or even a little bourbon to enhance the flavor and give your pie an unforgettable taste.
