HOMEMADE EASY APPLE PIE RECIPE

A tasty and easy classic apple pie.

Ingredients..

1  box refrigerated pie crust (softened as directed on box)

1  tablespoon butter

6  cups peeled, thinly sliced apples (about 6 medium apples)

1  cup of sugar (a little more or less depending on your preference)

2  tablespoons all-purpose flour

3/4- 1  teaspoon cinnamon

1/8  teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4  teaspoon salt

1  tablespoon lemon juice

Preparation..

Preheat oven to 450°F.  Place 1 pie crust in a 9" ungreased, glass pie pan.  Push crust against side and bottom of pan.

In a large bowl, mix remaining ingredients except butter.  Make sure to coat the apple slices as evenly as possible.  Spoon mixture into crust-lined pie plate.  Chunk butter into several pieces and lay on top of filling.

 <optional> I always unroll the top crust and cut out (use different cookie cutters) four 1" slits or shapes.  Or you can cut the top crust into lines (I use a pizza cutter) and "lattice" the top crust.

Top with the second crust (anyway you choose.)  Mash the edges of the crusts together and flute with a fork.  Cut off excess crust.

<optional> I like to take a small egg and beat it with 1- 1 1/2 tablespoons of water, then brush on top crust and edges.  Then I sprinkle a little sugar on top of that.  It makes the top crust a little more brown and sweeter.

Bake..

Bake for 40-45 minutes.  Or until apples are tender and the crust is a golden brown.  Cover the edges of the crust with strips of foil after 15 or 20 minutes to prevent excess browning.  Let cool 2 hours on cooling rack and serve. 

I took the leftover crust and put a food colored, green star on top.

~~For a Caramel/Pecan Apple Pie~~

Drizzle with 1/3 - 1/2 Caramel Ice Cream Topping imminently after removing from oven.  Top with 2-4 tablespoons chopped Pecans.