Apple Pie Recipes
Two beloved vintage apple pie recipes from New York tradition: a flat sheet-pan apple pie served with maple syrup and sharp cheese, and the classic Brown Bag Apple Pie with a buttery crumb topping.
Recipes on This Page
New York State Flat Apple Pie
Shared by Mrs. Nelson Rockefeller, circa 1975
Crust Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup margarine
- 3–4 teaspoons ice water
Filling Ingredients
- 11–12 medium apples
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/2 cup maple syrup (for serving)
- Sharp cheese, sliced (for serving)
Instructions
- Cut butter and margarine into flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add ice water gradually until the dough holds together. Chill 20 minutes.
- Roll dough to 1/8-inch thick and line a 15 × 10 baking sheet.
- Peel, core, and cut apples into sixths. Arrange in one even layer on the crust.
- Mix sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over apples. Drizzle with lemon juice.
- Bake at 450°F for 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 350°F and bake 30 minutes more.
- Drizzle with maple syrup and serve warm with slices of sharp cheese.
Brown Bag Apple Pie
Ingredients
- 1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell
- 3–4 large apples
- 1/2 cup sugar (filling)
- 2 tablespoons flour (filling)
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 cup sugar (topping)
- 1/2 cup flour (topping)
- 1/2 cup butter (topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Peel, core, and slice apples.
- Toss apples with 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, and nutmeg. Spoon into the pie shell and drizzle with lemon juice.
- Mix 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup flour. Cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over the apples.
- Place the pie in a plain brown paper bag, fold the top over twice, and secure it. Set the bag on a cookie sheet.
- Bake for 1 hour. Carefully open the bag and cool the pie on a rack.
Yield: One 9-inch pie
FAQ
Why serve apple pie with sharp cheese?
It’s a classic New York tradition—sharp cheddar balances the sweetness of the apples and maple syrup.
Is the brown paper bag method safe?
Yes, when using a plain (unprinted) brown paper bag placed on a cookie sheet. Keep it away from heating elements. You can also bake uncovered and tent with foil if the top browns too quickly.
What apples work best for pie?
Use firm apples that hold their shape. Mixing tart and sweet varieties often gives the best flavor.
How do I prevent a soggy bottom crust?
Use a hot oven start, avoid overly juicy filling, and let the pie cool completely before slicing so the juices set.