Apple pie with homemade vanilla whipped cream

Classic Apple Pie with Homemade Vanilla Whipped Cream

Apple pie is a beloved dessert that captures the essence of comfort and nostalgia. Paired with a dollop of homemade vanilla whipped cream, it becomes an irresistible treat. This recipe will guide you through making a flaky, buttery pie crust, a sweet and spiced apple filling, and a rich vanilla whipped cream to top it all off.

Ingredients

For the Pie Crust:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water

For the Apple Filling:

• 6-7 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and sliced
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

For the Vanilla Whipped Cream:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pie Crust

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar.
2. Cut in Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, blend the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
3. Add Ice Water: Gradually add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing gently with a fork until the dough begins to come together. You might not need all the water.
4. Form the Dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions. Shape each portion into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Step 2: Prepare the Apple Filling

1. Slice the Apples: Place the sliced apples in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle with lemon juice to prevent browning and to add a hint of tartness.
2. Mix Sugars and Spices: In a separate bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves.
3. Coat the Apples: Pour the sugar-spice mixture over the apples and toss to coat evenly. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 3: Assemble the Pie

1. Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie dish, gently pressing it into the bottom and sides.
2. Add the Filling: Spoon the apple mixture into the pie crust, mounding slightly in the center. Dot the filling with the pieces of butter.
3. Top Crust: Roll out the second disk of dough and place it over the apples. Trim the excess dough, leaving about a 1/2-inch overhang. Tuck the overhang under the bottom crust and crimp the edges to seal. Cut a few slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
4. Chill and Preheat: Place the assembled pie in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
5. Bake the Pie: Place the pie on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. If the crust browns too quickly, cover the edges with foil.
6. Cool: Let the pie cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before serving, allowing the filling to set.

Step 4: Make the Vanilla Whipped Cream

1. Chill the Equipment: Place your mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. This helps the cream whip up faster and fluffier.
2. Whip the Cream: Pour the cold heavy cream into the chilled bowl. Begin whipping on medium speed. When the cream starts to thicken, add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
3. Continue Whipping: Increase the speed to high and whip until soft peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip, or the cream will turn grainy.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Serve each slice of warm apple pie with a generous dollop of vanilla whipped cream. The combination of the buttery, flaky crust, spiced apple filling, and the creamy vanilla topping creates a perfect harmony of flavors and textures.

Tips for Success

• Choose the Right Apples: For the best texture, use a mix of sweet and tart apples. Granny Smith apples are great for tartness, while Honeycrisp or Fuji apples add sweetness and a firm texture.
• Keep the Ingredients Cold: Cold butter and ice water are key to a flaky crust. If the butter softens too much, pop the dough back into the fridge to firm up.
• Blind Bake (Optional): If you prefer a crisper bottom crust, you can blind bake the crust for 10-12 minutes before adding the filling.

This apple pie, with its golden crust, tender apples, and fragrant spices, is sure to be a hit at any gathering. Paired with homemade vanilla whipped cream, it’s a dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds. Enjoy!