Hamdi Saidani This rustic flat apple pie with perfect pie crust is made with crisp Granny Smith apples, brown sugar, granulated sugar, fresh lemon juice, flour, butter, and a flaky homemade crust. The recipe creates a golden, sweet-tart apple filling wrapped in a buttery, rustic pastry that bakes free-form on a sheet pan. It’s ideal for fall gatherings, Thanksgiving dessert tables, or a simple weekend treat, yielding enough for family and friends to share.
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🍎 Flat Apple Pie Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 5 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
- 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 6 tablespoons butter, cut into chunks
For the Perfect Pie Crust:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 sticks cold butter
- 3/4 cup vegetable shortening
- 1 egg
- 5 tablespoons cold water
- 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
🥮 How To Make Flat Apple Pie with Perfect Pie Crust
- Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, mix the apples, brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, salt, and lemon juice. Set aside.
- Make the crust: In a bowl, combine flour and salt. Cut in the butter and shortening with a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles small pebbles. Beat the egg lightly, then stir it in along with cold water and vinegar. Mix until just combined. Divide dough in half.
- Roll out the dough: On a floured surface, roll each portion into a large circle, working from the center outward. If the dough sticks, loosen with a spatula, add flour, and flip.
- Transfer to baking sheets: Place each rolled crust on a baking sheet.
- Add the filling: Divide the apple mixture evenly between the two crusts. Fold the edges of the dough up and over the apples by 2–3 inches. Keep the shape rustic.
- Add butter: Dot the tops of the apples with chunks of butter.
- Bake the pies: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 30–40 minutes, until the filling is golden and bubbly. If the crust browns too quickly, cover the edges with foil.
- Cool and serve: Allow to cool slightly, then slice into wedges with a pizza cutter. Serve warm or at room temperature.
💭 Recipe Tips
- Use tart apples: Granny Smith apples balance the sweetness perfectly, but you can mix in Honeycrisp or Braeburn for variety.
- Keep the crust cold: Cold butter and shortening create flaky layers in the pastry.
- Don’t overwork the dough: Mix until just combined to avoid a tough crust.
- Rustic is best: Don’t stress about perfect folds—the beauty of this pie is its casual, homemade look.
- Finish with a scoop of ice cream: Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream makes this dessert even better.
🥃 What To Serve Flat Apple Pie With?
This flat apple pie is delicious on its own, but it pairs beautifully with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or caramel sauce. For a cozy fall dessert spread, serve it alongside pumpkin pie, spiced pecan bars, or warm apple cider. It’s also perfect with a hot cup of coffee or tea.
🎚 How To Store Flat Apple Pie Leftovers?
- Refrigerate: Store slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes to crisp the crust.
- Freeze: Wrap cooled slices tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and warm before serving.
FAQs
What makes a flat apple pie different from a regular apple pie?
A flat apple pie is baked free-form on a baking sheet instead of in a pie pan. It has a rustic, galette-like look and doesn’t require a top crust.
Can I use store-bought pie crust?
Yes, you can substitute two store-bought crusts for convenience. Homemade pie crust, however, gives the best flavor and texture.
Can I make this pie ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can prepare the crust and filling separately, then assemble and bake just before serving. Baked pies can also be reheated.
Can I use other fruits?
Yes. This recipe works well with pears, peaches, or a mix of apples and berries for variety.
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📊 Flat Apple Pie Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 of pie)
- Calories: 365 kcal
- Total Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
- Sodium: 180mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 50g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Sugars: 28g
- Protein: 4g
Flat Apple Pie with Perfect Pie Crust
Description
Flat Apple Pie with Perfect Pie Crust is a rustic, free-form dessert filled with tart Granny Smith apples, sugar, and lemon juice, baked in a buttery, flaky homemade crust. Easy, charming, and perfect for fall.
Ingredients
For the Perfect Pie Crust:
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix apples, sugars, flour, salt, and lemon juice in a bowl. Set aside.
- Make crust: Combine flour and salt. Cut in butter and shortening until mixture resembles pebbles. Add egg, water, and vinegar. Mix until just combined. Divide dough in half.
- Roll dough into large circles, loosening with a spatula as needed.
- Place circles on baking sheets. Divide apple mixture between crusts.
- Fold over edges of crust by 2–3 inches. Dot with butter.
- Bake 30–40 minutes until crust is golden and filling bubbly. Cover edges with foil if browning too fast.
- Cool slightly, slice, and serve.
Notes
- Use tart apples: Granny Smith apples balance the sweetness perfectly, but you can mix in Honeycrisp or Braeburn for variety.
Keep the crust cold: Cold butter and shortening create flaky layers in the pastry.
Don’t overwork the dough: Mix until just combined to avoid a tough crust.
Rustic is best: Don’t stress about perfect folds—the beauty of this pie is its casual, homemade look.
Finish with a scoop of ice cream: Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream makes this dessert even better.
