Description
Apple Butter Pie is a luscious and warmly spiced dessert perfect for fall or any time you crave a cozy, comforting treat. This homemade pie features a tender, flaky crust filled with a silky blend of apple butter, spices, and creamy custard, baked until perfectly set with a golden crust.
Ingredients
Scale
Pie Crust
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- 3–5 tablespoons ice water
- Or substitute with a store-bought pie crust for convenience
Filling
- 1 cup apple butter
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust: In a medium bowl, mix the all-purpose flour and salt thoroughly to combine, ensuring even seasoning in the crust base.
- Cut in Butter: Add the chilled, cubed unsalted butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter evenly distributed.
- Add Ice Water: Gradually pour in 3 to 5 tablespoons of ice water, mixing gently after each addition until the dough just comes together but is not wet or sticky enough to handle well.
- Chill Dough: Shape the dough into a flat disc, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This resting period firms up the butter and hydrates the flour for better texture.
- Roll Out Dough: Remove chilled dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a circle about 12 inches in diameter. Fit this dough into a 9-inch pie dish, carefully pressing it into the corners. Trim excess and crimp the edges decoratively.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it is at the optimal temperature for baking the pie once assembled.
- Prepare the Filling: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the apple butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, heavy cream, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and a pinch of salt until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
- Assemble the Pie: Pour the prepared filling into the chilled pie crust, smoothing the surface evenly with a spatula for uniform baking.
- Bake the Pie: Place the pie on a middle oven rack and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. To prevent over-browning of the crust edges, tent with foil if they brown too quickly. The pie is done when the center is set but still slightly jiggly.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack to allow the filling to firm up fully. Serve slices topped with whipped cream or ice cream for added indulgence.
Notes
- For convenience, use a store-bought pie crust to save time.
- Adjust spices according to your preference for more or less warmth.
- Cover crust edges with foil midway through baking to avoid burning.
- Cool completely before slicing to ensure clean cuts and set filling.
- Pairs wonderfully with vanilla ice cream or freshly whipped cream.
