Directions

1Prepare the apples: Peel, quarter, and core the apples, then slice into ¼-inch slices. Place them into a very large bowl.

2Mix the pie filling: Scatter brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, allspice, and nutmeg over the apples. Toss well, then set aside on the counter for 1 hour.

3Roll out the bottom crust: Roll out half of the pie dough to fit a 9-inch pie dish. To prevent sticking, sprinkle flour on your work surface and rolling pin. Roll from the center outwards for even thickness, lifting and rotating the dough by a quarter turn as you go. Check the size by inverting the pie dish over the dough (it should be 1 ½ to 2 inches larger).

4Add the crust to the pie dish: Carefully place the dough into the pie dish without stretching it, and trim the edges to within 1 inch of the dish. Place in the refrigerator until needed.

5Roll out the top crust: Roll out the second half of the dough to a similar size as before and transfer it to a large parchment-lined baking sheet. Keep the second sheet of pie dough in the refrigerator until needed.

6Prepare the oven: Position an oven rack towards the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Set aside a baking sheet and line it with foil or parchment paper (you will bake the pie on this).

7Add the apples to the pie: Toss the cornstarch with the apples. Transfer most (if not all) of the apples into the prepared bottom crust, using your hands to really pack them down into the pie. Fill the pie until apples are mounded at the same height or a little higher than the edge of the pie crust, tucking in as many as you can. If you have too many apples, save them (see notes). See our video showing how high we pile the apples.

8Add the apple juices to the pie: Pour the juices accumulated at the bottom of the bowl over the apples. (If there’s more than ¾ to 1 cup of liquid, leave some behind, see notes below.)

9Dot apples with the butter: Cut a tablespoon of butter into 8 or so small pieces and dot them over the pie.

10Add the top crust: Place the second pie dough round over the filling, or cut it into strips and lattice the top (see our video in the article above, or read this tutorial for how to lattice a crust. If you are not adding a lattice crust and are adding the top crust in one piece, use a sharp knife to cut a few slits in the top of the crust to allow steam to vent.

11Crimp the edges: Trim excess dough from the top crust or lattice strips, then fold the overhang underneath, forming a thick rim. Press it together or crimp it with your fingers (or use a fork).

12Add the egg wash: Whisk the egg with a tablespoon of water, and then use it as an egg wash by lightly brushing the top crust. This egg wash adds shine and helps the crust brown.

13Bake the apple pie: Place the prepared pie on the baking sheet and bake for about 75 minutes, turning a few times for even browning. If you notice that the pie crust is browning too quickly, mold a large piece of foil over a bowl that’s been placed upside down to make a foil dome. Place the foil dome over the pie for the remaining bake time. This will slow the browning.

14Apple pie is done when the juices are bubbling through the vents of the top crust or lattice. If you do not see bubbles, the pie needs more time. Another way to check for doneness is to use an internal thermometer. Pierce the pie in the middle, then test the temperature. The pie is done when it reads 195°F. Piercing the pie is also an excellent indication of how soft the apples are. If they feel too crunchy, the pie needs more time.

15Cool the baked pie: Cool the pie without slicing it for at least 2 hours, preferably longer. Keep in mind that the pie filling does not fully thicken until it is completely cooled. Waiting to cut into the pie until it’s cool will prevent a soggy slice.