This Old Fashioned Apple Pie is the epitome of comforting, homemade goodness. With its flaky, golden crust and a filling made from tart Jonathan apples and warm spices, it’s a dessert that combines the simple pleasures of home baking. Whether you’re using the standard crust version or going for the deep-dish option, this pie delivers all the flavors of a traditional apple pie with ease, thanks to the help of pre-made pie crusts.
Pet-Ritz Pie Crust Shells make this recipe accessible even for novice bakers, removing the need to make a crust from scratch while still delivering that classic, buttery flakiness. Combined with the sweet and tart apple filling, this pie is a go-to for any holiday or family gathering. It’s a perfect balance of convenience and homemade flavor, making it a favorite for busy bakers who still want to serve something deliciously homemade.
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Old Fashioned Apple Pie
Food History
Apple pie has been a staple dessert in many cultures, particularly in the United States, where it is often referred to as a symbol of Americana. The earliest recipes for apple pie date back to the 14th century in England, though it gained significant popularity in America as apple orchards flourished in the 18th and 19th centuries. By the mid-20th century, apple pie was a classic dessert found in many American households.
As convenience foods became more popular in the 1950s and beyond, brands like Pet-Ritz began producing pre-made pie crusts, making it easier for home cooks to whip up pies without the labor-intensive task of creating dough from scratch. Pet-Ritz Pie Crusts, introduced by the Pet Milk Company, quickly became a household name. Their ready-to-bake pie shells allowed for more people to enjoy baking without sacrificing the quality of a flaky crust.
Using Jonathan apples is also significant in apple pie recipes. This variety was first developed in the early 19th century in New York and is known for its balance of sweetness and tartness, making it ideal for baking. The firm texture holds up well when baked, ensuring that the apples don’t turn mushy, a key feature of a great apple pie.
For more vintage sweets, check out our Pie Recipes and Dessert Recipes—they’re perfect for adding a touch of retro charm to your table!
Timeline
- 14th Century: The earliest known apple pie recipes originated in England.
- 18th Century: Apple pie becomes a symbol of Americana as apple orchards spread throughout the U.S.
- Mid-20th Century: Pet-Ritz Pie Crust Shells have become a popular convenience product in American kitchens.
- 19th Century: Jonathan apples were developed in New York and became a favorite for baking.
Recipe Discussion
This Old Fashioned Apple Pie recipe offers two versions: regular and deep-dish. Both use Pet-Ritz Pie Crust Shells, which are known for their buttery, flaky texture. These pie crusts make it easy to create a perfect pie without worrying about rolling out dough. For those looking for a quick and simple dessert option, the pre-made crusts save time without sacrificing flavor or texture.
The filling is made with Jonathan apples, which are ideal for baking due to their slightly tart flavor and firm texture. Jonathan apples hold up well during baking, maintaining their shape and offering a delightful balance of sweetness and acidity. This makes them perfect for creating a flavorful and textured pie.
In terms of spices, the combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of salt brings warmth and depth to the pie. These spices complement the natural sweetness of the apples, creating a classic flavor that’s reminiscent of traditional autumn baking.
The recipe calls for butter to be dotted over the apples before placing the top crust, adding a rich, creamy element that enhances the flavor of the filling. The flour helps to thicken the apple juices as they bake, ensuring that the filling isn’t too runny.
Pet-Ritz is a trusted brand of pie crusts. It produces reliable, ready-to-use pastry dough that bakes beautifully. Using these pre-made crusts, you can still enjoy the essence of a homemade pie without making the dough from scratch.
Explore more of our Pie Crust Recipes to continue your baking journey!
Preparation Tips
- Preheat the baking sheet: Placing the pie on a preheated baking sheet helps ensure the bottom crust bakes evenly and doesn’t become soggy.
- Invert and flatten the top crust: For the top crust, remove the crimped edges to make it easier to fit over the apple filling. This step ensures a perfect seal between the two crusts.
- Cut slits in the top crust: Be sure to cut several slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking. This prevents the pie from becoming soggy and ensures a crisp, flaky crust.
- Adjust for deep dish: The deep-dish version uses more apples and slightly more sugar and flour to accommodate the larger filling. Make sure to use a deep-dish pie pan for this version.
Recommended Kitchen Products
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- Pie Pan: A well-greased, deep-dish pie pan ensures even baking and easy removal of your pie.
- Apple Peeler: An apple peeler makes quick work of prepping the apples for this pie, saving time and effort.
- Cooling Rack: A cooling rack helps the pie cool evenly after baking, preventing sogginess and ensuring a crisp crust.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with vanilla ice cream: The combination of warm apple pie and cold vanilla ice cream is a timeless pairing.
- Top with whipped cream: A dollop adds lightness and extra creaminess to the rich, spiced filling.
- Pair with coffee or tea: For a comforting afternoon treat, enjoy a slice of apple pie with a hot cup of coffee or tea.
- Dust with powdered sugar: Before serving, lightly dust the top of the pie with powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.
A Classic Dessert for Any Occasion
Old-fashioned apple Pie is a timeless dessert perfect for any occasion, from holiday gatherings to a cozy family dinner. The combination of tart apples, warm spices, and a flaky pie crust makes it a must-have for any baker’s repertoire. With the convenience of Pet-Ritz Pie Crust Shells, this recipe ensures that even novice bakers can enjoy baking a homemade apple pie without the extra effort of making dough from scratch. Whether served warm or cold, this apple pie will surely be a hit with everyone.
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Old Fashioned Apple Pie Recipe
Old Fashioned Apple Pie
Ingredients
Regular
- 2 PET-RITZ Pie Crust Shells
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups Jonathan apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon butter, softened
Deep Dish
- 2 PET-RITZ Pie Crust Shells
- 2/3 cup sugar
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 6 cups Jonathan apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon butter, softened
Instructions
- Preheat oven and baking sheet to 400°F.
- Remove pie crusts from freezer. Invert 1 crust onto wax paper and allow to thaw until flat.
- Trim the crimped edge off after crust is flattened.
- In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients.
- Add apples; stir until evenly coated.
- Spoon into bottom crust; dot with butter.
- Place top crust over apples.
- Recrimp edge to hold both crusts.
- Cut several slits in top crust.
- Bake on preheated baking sheet 40 to 45 minutes.
- Serve warm or cold.
Notes
Estimated preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 40 minutes
Chilling/cooling time: 1 hour