Apple pie is a type of pie in which the main ingredient is the apple. The pie consists of crust on the bottom and the top with the filling in between.

When it comes to the top crust, it is usually made into a lattice (with strips). But it can be as a whole, flat crust. Sometimes, people blind bake the bottom crust to prevent it from becoming soggy. If the filling is moist, the bottom crust could absorb the moist and become soggy. For that reason, blind baking is the way to prevent it.

Common ingredients

The usual ingredients are apples, flour, sugar, cinnamon, butter, salt, and milk. There can be some variations and different serving ideas like ice cream, whipped cream, or even cheddar cheese. But, what can influence the taste of the apple pie is the type of apples you use. Usually, people use these apples - Nothern Spy, Granny Smith, Cortland, Braeburn, Empire, Bramley, etc.

Besides apples, the filling includes sugar, cinnamon, and butter. But it can contain nuts, lemon juice or dry fruit like raisins. Some people even add chops of chocolate.

When it comes to serving, whipped cream is often used to decorate the serving. But the most popular is the so-called Apple pie à la mode which is an apple pie served with a scoop of ice cream on top (in our particular recipe, we used the vanilla ice cream). However, people also like to use cheddar cheese on the top. And some people love it so much that it was published in The Medical Times and Register in 1893 (University of Michigan, p.132)

"Apple pie without the cheese
Is like a kiss without the squeeze."

Apple pie history

The first American cookbook called "American Cookery" published by Amelia Simmons in 1796 contained two recipes for the apple pie - Apple Pie and Buttered Apple Pie. Here are the original recipes.

Apple Pie – "Stew and strain the apples, to every three pints, grate the peel of the fresh lemon, add cinnamon, mace, rose-water, and sugar to your taste – and bake in paste No. 3. Every species of fruit such as pears, plums, raspberries, blackberries may be only sweetened, without spices—and bake in paste No. 3."

Buttered Apple Pie – "Pare, quarter and core tart apples, lay in paste No.3, cover with the same; bake half an hour, when drawn, gently raise the top crust, add sugar, butter, cinnamon, mace, wine or rose-water."

Since it was easy and cheap to make it, the pie became very popular in the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries. Then, in the 20th century, it kind of became a national symbol, and the phrase "as American as apple pie" slowly started to catch on. However, contrary to popular belief, the apple pie was not invented in the United States. The history of apple pie is related to 14th century England. They actually made the pie with the pastry, but it was not meant for eating, but solely as a baking dish. So, they would eat only the filling. This is why they called them "coffins". The pastry was made from wheat, water, and animal fat. At that time, sugar was extremely expensive, and therefore, the recipe was rather different than today.

The first documented apple pie recipe was in 1381, and besides apples, it contained pears, raisins, figs, and saffron (often used for coloring). It was already the 16th century when the sugar became more affordable and the coffins became edible. The apple pie came to North America alongside the colonists (the English, the Swedes, and the Dutch) in the 17th and 18th centuries.

National Apple Pie Day

Americans celebrate their favorite dessert on May 13th which is the National Apple Pie Day.

Apples - health benefits

The apple tree's delicious fruit has been around for a long, long time. It is one of the most common fruit and there are many types of apples. People eat it fresh, or as part of many magnificent meals. There are a lot of benefits from eating apples. You already know the good old "An apple a day, keeps the doctor away." So, let's see why are the apples so healthy.

1. Good for the heart

Apples have soluble fiber that lowers blood cholesterol and they have polyphenols that lower blood pressure (but also lower the stroke risk). Both help the heart to be healthy and in good shape.

2. Lower the risk of diabetes (type 2)

Some studies have shown that even a couple of apples a week can help prevent type 2 diabetes. The reason for it is that polyphenols prevent the pancreas beta cells damage, which is responsible for producing insulin in the body.

3. They are very nutritious

One apple has about 100 calories, 25g of carbs, 4g of fiber, and 14% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C. They also have vitamins K, A, E, B1, B2, and B6, potassium, manganese, and copper.

4. Feed your gut with good bacteria

They have pectin, a fiber that is a prebiotic and it promotes good bacteria in your gut.

5. Prevent cancer

Apples can lower the risk of cancer and death from cancer mostly because they are antioxidants and they are anti-inflammatory.

6. Fight asthma and have good bone health

Apples are antioxidants which help the lungs to function properly and help to promote bone health. Besides that, the skin has flavonoid quercetin that acts anti-inflammatory and regulates the immune system.

7. Good for the weight loss

Apples help weight loss in many ways. They contain a lot of water and a lot of fiber, which will keep you feeling full for a longer period of time. Also, they are low-calorie fruit, since the average apple has only about 100 calories. So, it is a great snack.