The classic apple pie is a beloved dessert consisting of a flaky pastry crust filled with tender, cinnamon-spiced sliced apples and a touch of sugar. It's a quintessential American dessert, often associated with comfort and nostalgia, especially when served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This iconic dish has roots tracing back to early European settlers in America, who combined their traditional pie-making techniques with locally grown apples, creating a timeless favorite that continues to grace tables and evoke fond memories across generations.

Ingredients:

- 1 package of ready-to-use pie crust (or homemade pie crust)

- 6 cups of peeled and sliced apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)

- 3/4 cup granulated sugar

- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

- 1/4 teaspoon salt

- 1 tablespoon lemon juice

- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

- Optional: egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water) for brushing the crust

Method of Preparation:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Place one pie crust in a pie dish according to package instructions or your homemade crust recipe.

3. In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, salt, and lemon juice. Mix until the apples are evenly coated.

4. Pour the apple mixture into the prepared pie crust. Dot the top with pieces of butter.

5. If using a second pie crust for a traditional double-crust pie, place it over the filling and crimp the edges to seal. Alternatively, create a lattice crust or decorate as desired.

6. If desired, brush the top crust with the egg wash for a golden finish.

7. Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any drips and bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.

8. Allow the pie to cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before slicing and serving.

Enjoy your classic apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a delicious treat!

Nutrition Value:

1. Ready-to-Use Pie Crust (1 package or homemade):

  - Calories: Varies based on brand or homemade recipe, typically around 1,200-1,500 calories per package (enough for a double crust pie)

  - Carbohydrates: Varies but mainly from flour and fats in the crust

  - Protein: Minimal, mainly from the flour

  - Fat: Varies depending on the type of crust used, typically around 70-100 grams per package

  - Sodium: Varies but usually contains a small amount of salt

  - Cholesterol: Minimal, mainly from any butter or shortening in the crust

  - Vitamins and Minerals: Minimal, some brands may be enriched with vitamins and minerals

  - Nutritional Benefit: Provides the base and structure for the pie, contributes to texture and flavor.

2. Apples (6 cups, peeled and sliced):

  - Calories: Approximately 330-360 calories per cup, depending on the variety

  - Carbohydrates: About 25-30 grams per cup

  - Protein: About 1 gram per cup

  - Fat: Minimal, less than 1 gram per cup

  - Sodium: Very low, less than 5 milligrams per cup

  - Cholesterol: None

  - Vitamins and Minerals: Rich in vitamin C, fiber, and various antioxidants like flavonoids

  - Nutritional Benefit: Apples provide fiber for digestion, vitamin C for immunity, and antioxidants for overall health.

3. Granulated Sugar (3/4 cup):

  - Calories: Approximately 480 calories per cup, so about 360 calories for 3/4 cup

  - Carbohydrates: About 96 grams for 3/4 cup

  - Protein: None

  - Fat: None

  - Sodium: None

  - Cholesterol: None

  - Vitamins and Minerals: No significant vitamins or minerals

  - Nutritional Benefit: Adds sweetness and flavor to the pie but should be consumed in moderation due to its high sugar content.

4. All-Purpose Flour (2 tablespoons):

  - Calories: About 60 calories per tablespoon, so around 120 calories for 2 tablespoons

  - Carbohydrates: About 12 grams for 2 tablespoons

  - Protein: About 2 grams for 2 tablespoons

  - Fat: Minimal, less than 1 gram for 2 tablespoons

  - Sodium: Very low, less than 5 milligrams for 2 tablespoons

  - Cholesterol: None

  - Vitamins and Minerals: Contains small amounts of iron, B vitamins, and magnesium

  - Nutritional Benefit: Provides structure and thickness to the pie filling.

5. Ground Cinnamon (1 teaspoon):

  - Calories: About 6 calories per teaspoon

  - Carbohydrates: About 2 grams per teaspoon

  - Protein: Less than 1 gram per teaspoon

  - Fat: Less than 1 gram per teaspoon

  - Sodium: Very low, less than 1 milligram per teaspoon

  - Cholesterol: None

  - Vitamins and Minerals: Contains small amounts of calcium and iron

  - Nutritional Benefit: Adds flavor and warmth to the pie filling, and cinnamon is believed to have some health benefits like anti-inflammatory properties.

6. Salt (1/4 teaspoon):

  - Calories: Negligible

  - Carbohydrates: Negligible

  - Protein: Negligible

  - Fat: Negligible

  - Sodium: About 590 milligrams per teaspoon, so about 150 milligrams for 1/4 teaspoon

  - Cholesterol: None

  - Vitamins and Minerals: None

  - Nutritional Benefit: Enhances flavor but should be used sparingly due to its sodium content.

7. Lemon Juice (1 tablespoon):

  - Calories: About 4 calories per tablespoon

  - Carbohydrates: About 1 gram per tablespoon

  - Protein: Less than 1 gram per tablespoon

  - Fat: Less than 1 gram per tablespoon

  - Sodium: Very low, less than 1 milligram per tablespoon

  - Cholesterol: None

  - Vitamins and Minerals: Rich in vitamin C

  - Nutritional Benefit: Adds acidity and brightness to the pie filling, and vitamin C is beneficial for immunity and skin health.

8. Unsalted Butter (1 tablespoon):

  - Calories: About 100 calories per tablespoon

  - Carbohydrates: Negligible

  - Protein: Negligible

  - Fat: About 11 grams per tablespoon

  - Sodium: Trace amounts, especially if using unsalted butter

  - Cholesterol: About 30 milligrams per tablespoon

  - Vitamins and Minerals: Contains small amounts of vitamin A

  - Nutritional Benefit: Adds richness and flavor to the pie, but should be used in moderation due to its saturated fat content.

9. Egg Wash (Optional, 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water):

  - Calories: About 70-80 calories per egg

  - Carbohydrates: Less than 1 gram per egg

  - Protein: About 6 grams per egg

  - Fat: About 5 grams per egg

  - Sodium: About 70 milligrams per egg

  - Cholesterol: About 185 milligrams per egg

  - Vitamins and Minerals: Rich in protein, vitamins D and B12, and minerals like selenium and choline

  - Nutritional Benefit: Adds shine and color to the pie crust, and eggs are a good source of protein and various essential nutrients.

Overall, while apple pie can be a delicious treat, it's important to enjoy it in moderation due to its sugar and fat content. Incorporating whole ingredients like apples and using moderation with added sugars and fats can help make it a more balanced dessert option.