Apple Pie a la Mode

This delicious and easy recipe for Apple Pie a la Mode will be a hit for any occasion! Here’s our recipe for an all-American classic dessert.

Apple pie is a classic dessert that never goes out of style. This recipe features a delicious apple filling in a flaky pie crust, topped with a scoop of your favorite ice cream. Whether you’re serving up this sweet treat for Thanksgiving or any other special occasion, it’s sure to be a hit!

There’s nothing quite like a warm, homemade apple pie served with a scoop of ice cream on top. The combination of apples and cinnamon in a flaky crust is sure to please your taste buds!

Apple Pie a la Mode is one of the most popular American desserts. It’s a classic that’s been around for centuries and is still enjoyed by people today.

Today, we’re going to share our favorite recipe for apple pie a la mode, and with this recipe, you can enjoy that taste anytime you want.

This recipe is simple to follow and yields an irresistibly delicious result. So, gather your ingredients and let’s get started!

What Does Apple Pie a la Mode Mean?

The term Apple Pie a la Mode is French for “pie in the current fashion”, which when found on a menu means it is served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Apple Pie a la Mode became popular in the late 1800’s after several American restaurants started serving it. They would serve a slice of pie with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

Tips for the BEST Apple Pie

To avoid a large gap between the top crust and the pie filling you can either pre-cook your apple filling until just softened in a saucepan on the stove or allow your filling to sit about an hour before filling your pie shells.

Both methods allow the apples to soften before the crust is added which helps to make sure your pie is loaded with filling from bottom crust to top.

If you go with letting your filling sit about an hour, which is my preferred method, then make sure you definitely pour in all the juices too! It has the most flavour.

What Apples are Best for Apple Pie?

If you are deciding what apples to use for an apple pie, the first thing you should know is that not all apples are created equal.

There are major differences between varieties of apples, including their taste, how they hold up during cooking, and the time it takes them to break down in a cooked pie filling.

For example, if you want to make a cooked apple pie with slices of apples, you should use a firmer apple variety. Some good examples include Granny Smith, Fuji, Braeburn, Gala, Empire and Honey Crisp.

On the other hand if you want to make an apple pie with chunks of apple in the filling (like shown in my step-by-step recipe below) you should use a more fragrant and juicy apple variety such as McIntosh, Jonagold or Golden Delicious.

About the Equipment Needed for Apple Pie

Pastry crimper – If you aren’t the best at crimping pie shells use a pastry crimper.

Pie plate – You will also want a 9-inch diameter deep-dish pie plate.

Electric mixer – An electric mixer makes it a lot easier to make fluffy, smooth frosting. Use either a stand mixer or hand mixer.

About the Ingredients for Apple Pie A La Mode

Flour – Be sure to scoop and level your flour. Never pack it down.

Salt – Brings out all the

Shortening – Shortening makes the pastry light and flaky. You can use cold butter instead.

Water – Make sure you use ice cold water.

Apples – Slice your apples thicker if you prefer a slightly more firm filling, or thinner if you prefer an apple filling that is closer to apple sauce in consistency.

Sugar – Just plain old granulated sugar.

Spices – Cinnamon and nutmeg add a little spice, you can omit if you prefer.

Tapioca starch – Also known as tapioca flour, it thickens the apple juices, you can substitute with 2 tablespoons cornstarch if you like, but I think tapioca gives a better texture.

Butter – Adding butter to the pastry vents helps to keep the apple filling from bubbling over.

Ice Cream – Try serving this up with homemade no-churn vanilla ice cream on top!

Looking for More Classic Dessert Recipes

Check out more of my favourite classic desserts!

These Classic Chocolate Walnut Brownies are perfectly rich & dense. They are quick and easy to make and taste so much better than boxed mix!

This is a traditional strawberry shortcake recipe made from scratch with fluffy shortcake, fresh macerated strawberries & real whipped cream.

This easy lemon poppy seed bundt cake is the perfect dessert to make for a crowd. It’s sweet and tangy and sure to be a hit!

How to Make Apple Pie à la Mode

Yields: 8 Servings | Prep time: 20 minutes | Bake time: 45-50 minutes

Pie Crust Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1¼ cups vegetable shortening
• 7-12 Tablespoons ice-cold water

Pie Filling Ingredients:

• 6 cups peeled and sliced apples
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 4 Tablespoons Tapioca Starch
• 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 4 or 5 pieces

Note: To make a deep dish pie, double the filling ingredients and roll out the bottom crust to a 12-13 inch diameter.

Directions:

Place top oven rack in center position and pre-heat oven to 450°F.

To prepare pie crust, add flour, salt, and vegetable shortening to a large bowl and mix with a hand mixer. Gradually add ice-cold water until the dough binds together and can form a ball. Place in the refrigerator and chill for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, add sliced apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and tapioca starch to a large bowl and toss gently to combine.

Remove the dough from the refrigerator and divide into 2 even sections. Roll out each piece of dough into a 10-11 inch diameter for a 9-inch pie.

Line a 9-inch pie pan with one of the crusts.

Transfer the apple filling to the pie crust.

Place top crust over the pie and crimp the edges together. Cut 4-5 vents into the top crust with a sharp knife and place a small piece of butter in each. Cover edges with foil or a pie crust protector to prevent over browning.

Bake for 10 minutes at 450°F. Reduce temperature to 350°F and continue baking for another 35-40 minutes. Remove from oven and cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving with some No Churn Vanilla Ice Cream, if desired. Enjoy!