How to Make Apple Pie With Flaky Crust (Favorite Family Recipe!)

My brother moved to Charleston after he retired a few years ago. He doesn’t do a lot of cooking from scratch, but his apple pie is 100% from scratch and it’s a wonderful recipe. He’s made it for me before and for this month’s favorite family recipe, I thought it would be a great share for a fall dessert. The crust is flaky and moist. 

Ingredients:

Pie Crust:

• 1/2 Cup Butter Softened
• 4 oz Cream Cheese Softened
• 2 Cups All Purpose Flour

Pie Filling:

• 2 1/2 Cups Sliced Granny Smith Apples
• 1 1/2 Cups Sugar
• 1/3 Cup No Pulp Orange Juice
• 1/2 tsp Apple Pie Spice
• 3 Tbs Honey
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 Cup Butter
• 1 Tbs Lemon Juice

Making the crust is simple and it only takes three ingredients. Once the ingredients have been combined, roll the dough into a large ball, cover with plastic wrap, and place it in the freezer for 10 minutes. 

Instructions:

For Crust:

1 - Combine flour, cream cheese, and butter in large mixing bowl. Mix by hand or with electric mixer until a firm dough forms.

2 - Roll dough into a large ball, cover with plastic wrap, and place in freezer for 10 minutes.

While the dough is chilling, prepare the apples. He has an apple corer that makes quick work out of coring and peeling the apples.

For Pie Filling:

1 - Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

2 - Peel and Core apples and slice into small pieces.

3 - Combine apple slices, sugar, honey, butter, vanilla extract, apple pie spice, and juices in a large pan. 

4 - Bring to a boil, stirring frequently.

5 - Remove from heat.

6 - Remove pie crust from freezer, discard wrap and slice the ball into two halves. 

7 - Sprinkle wax paper with flour and roll each piece of the dough separately to form a top and bottom crust. Spray pie pan with non stick spray and place one of the crusts into the pan. 

8 - Pour the apple mixture into the crust. 

9 - Roll out the other half of the dough and carefully place it on top of the apple mixture.

10 - Use a fork to press the edges down and cut slits into the top of the crust. Trim away any excess crust from the side.

11 - Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

12 - Allow the pie to cool completely before slicing. If you want the pie to be warm when serving, microwave individual slices for 15 to 25 seconds. 

I might have had a slice of it for breakfast the day after it was made! Fruit is a breakfast food, right?