Homemade Southern Joy: Paula Deen Apple Pie Recipe

The classic apple pie whispers stories of comfort and tradition in every golden, flaky bite.

Warm cinnamon and sweet apples merge into a symphony of flavor that dances across your palate.

Seasonal orchards yield their finest fruits for this iconic dessert.

Generations of home bakers have lovingly perfected this culinary craft.

Buttery pastry cradles tender fruit with delicate precision.

Each slice promises a moment of pure, nostalgic bliss.

Check out this timeless recipe that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary experience.

How to Make Paula Deen’s Signature Apple Pie

• Craft the Pie Crust

Whip up a buttery dough using a food processor. Blend flour with a pinch of salt and sugar, then add chilled butter chunks. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Drizzle in icy water, mixing until the dough just comes together. Shape into two discs and tuck them in the fridge for a cozy hour-long rest.

• Create Apple Filling

Transform fresh apples into a spice-packed treasure. Peel and slice the apples, then shower them with a warm blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar. Toss gently until each slice is gloriously coated with sweet, aromatic goodness.

• Assemble and Shape the Pie

Rescue a dough disc from the fridge and roll it out on a flour-dusted surface. Drape the crust into your pie pan with a gentle touch. Pour the spiced apple mixture into the crust, dotting with small butter pieces. Roll out the second disc and crown your pie, creating decorative slits that let steam escape and add a touch of artistry.

• Bake to Golden Perfection

Crank the oven to a toasty 400°F. Brush the pie’s surface with a golden egg wash and sprinkle with a cinnamon sugar shower. Slide the pie onto a baking tray and let it bake for about 50 minutes. Watch for a gorgeous brown crust and bubbling filling that promises deliciousness.

• Serve and Savor

Let the pie cool completely, allowing the flavors to mingle and settle. Slice into this masterpiece and serve. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator, though chances are slim there’ll be any remaining!

Tips to Improve Your Apple Pie Like Paula

• Spice Up Your Pie Game: Delicious Twists and Techniques
• Butter Swap Magic: Replace half the butter with cold shortening for an ultra-flaky crust that melts in your mouth. The combination creates a perfectly crisp texture that will have everyone asking for your secret.
• Fruit Fusion Adventure: Experiment by mixing different apple varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Fuji for a complex flavor profile. Each apple brings unique sweetness and tartness that elevates the entire pie experience.
• Nutty Crunch Boost: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts between apple layers for an unexpected textural surprise. Toasting nuts beforehand intensifies their rich, warm flavor and adds delightful crunch to every bite.
• Make-Ahead Mastery: Prepare pie crust and filling up to 2 days in advance, storing separately in refrigerator. This pro trick saves time and allows flavors to develop more deeply, ensuring a more delicious final result.

Serving Suggestions for Southern Apple Pie

• Serve with Creamy Companions: Pair each slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or dollop of freshly whipped cream for a classic, indulgent dessert experience.
• Craft a Rustic Presentation: Place pie on a wooden cutting board, dust with powdered sugar, and garnish with fresh cinnamon stick or whole star anise for elegant, homemade charm.
• Enjoy Temperature Variations: Savor warm straight from oven for gooey filling or chill completely for firmer texture, allowing slice to set and intensify flavors.
• Create Breakfast Transformation: Serve leftover pie slices alongside morning coffee or reheat quickly for a delightful morning treat that feels like a special weekend brunch indulgence.

Storage Tips for Paula Deen’s Apple Dessert

• Preserve Pie Perfection: Strategic Storage Solutions
• Refrigerate freshly baked pie within 2 hours of cooling to maintain optimal taste and texture. Cover loosely with aluminum foil or plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss.
• Maximize Freshness: Slice and Store Smart
• Keep pie at room temperature for 1-2 days. Refrigerate for extended storage up to 4-5 days, ensuring maximum flavor preservation and food safety.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment
• Wrap entire pie or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving to maintain crust's delicate structure.
• Revive Leftover Slice Magic
• Restore pie's original crisp crust by reheating individual slices in preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Sprinkle fresh cinnamon sugar on top for an extra burst of warmth and flavor.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 1 hour

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 8

What You Need for Paula Deen’s Apple Pie

• All-Purpose Flour: Choose unbleached, high-quality flour for better texture and flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Select fine-grain sugar for smooth blending into the dough.
• Salt: Use kosher or sea salt to enhance the crust's subtle taste.
• Unsalted Butter: Pick cold, European-style butter for maximum flakiness and rich flavor.
• Ice Water: Use filtered water with plenty of ice to keep butter cold during mixing.

• Apples: Choose firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for balanced sweetness.
• Ground Cinnamon: Select fresh, fragrant cinnamon for warm, deep flavor.
• Ground Nutmeg: Use freshly ground nutmeg for more intense aromatic notes.
• Granulated Sugar: Pick fine sugar to ensure even distribution in filling.
• All-Purpose Flour: Use as a thickening agent to control apple filling consistency.

• Egg: Select fresh, large eggs for perfect golden-brown crust wash.
• Cinnamon Sugar: Blend fine sugar with premium ground cinnamon for sparkling, sweet topping.
• Unsalted Butter: Use cold butter for creating rich, dotted flavor pockets in filling.

Tools for Baking Apple Pie the Paula Deen Way

• Food Processor: Perfect for quickly mixing pie dough ingredients.
• Plastic Wrap: Helps chill and store dough neatly.
• Mixing Bowls: Essential for combining spices and apple slices.
• Rolling Pin: Crucial for creating smooth, even pie crusts.
• Pie Pan: Provides the classic shape for your delicious pie.
• Knife: Needed for peeling and slicing apples, trimming crust edges.
• Pastry Brush: Great for applying egg wash to create a golden crust.
• Baking Tray: Catches any drips and ensures even oven heating.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helps measure ingredients precisely.
• Sharp Kitchen Scissors or Knife: Used for cutting decorative slits in top crust.

Irresistible Paula Deen Apple Pie Recipe

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4.6 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Classic Southern apple pie celebrates Paula Deen’s signature dessert with buttery, flaky crust and caramelized cinnamon apples. Rich flavors and golden-brown perfection make this pie irresistible for family gatherings and holiday celebrations.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 Granny Smith and Macintosh apples (peeled and sliced)
• 2 ½ cups (313 g) plus 3 tbsps (38 g) flour
• 1 ¼ cups (250 g) plus 1 tsp (4 g) sugar
• 2 sticks (226 g) cold unsalted butter (cubed)
• 2 tbsps (28 g) cold unsalted butter (sliced)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ to ½ cup (60–120 ml) ice water
• 1 egg (lightly beaten, for egg wash)
• Cinnamon sugar (for dusting)

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Instructions

1. Pastry Preparation: Pulse flour, salt, and sugar in a food processor until uniformly combined. Add cold, cubed butter and mix until the texture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Dough Formation: Gradually add ice water, mixing until the dough just coheres. Divide into two equal discs, wrap in plastic, and chill for 1 hour to enhance flakiness and relax gluten.
3. Filling Creation: Blend cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, and flour in a large bowl. Peel and slice apples, thoroughly coating with the spice mixture to ensure even seasoning.
4. Crust Assembly: Roll out one dough disc to fit a 9-inch pie pan, trimming edges neatly. Arrange the spiced apple mixture in the bottom crust, strategically dotting with butter pieces to amplify richness.
5. Top Crust Technique: Drape the second dough disc over the filling, crimping edges to seal. Cut four steam vents to prevent pressure buildup and promote even baking.
6. Finishing Touches: Brush the top crust with whisked egg and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar for a glossy, caramelized exterior. Place the pie on a rimmed baking sheet for easy handling.
7. Baking Process: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake for 50-55 minutes until the crust turns golden-brown and the filling bubbles enthusiastically. Cool completely on a wire rack to allow proper setting.

Notes

• Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerating the pastry for exactly 60 minutes helps develop flaky layers by allowing gluten to relax and butter to firm up.
• Handle Apples Carefully: Select firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best texture and slice uniformly to ensure even cooking and balanced flavor.
• Prevent Soggy Bottom: Place the pie on a rimmed baking sheet during baking to catch potential drips and promote even heat distribution, preventing a wet crust.
• Venting Technique Matters: Creating four strategic steam vents prevents the top crust from becoming soggy and allows excess moisture to escape during baking.

• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg