Cozy Rustic Brown Bag Apple Pie Recipe – Country Charm in Every Bite

Baking a delightful brown bag apple pie creates a nostalgic kitchen experience that connects generations through sweet, warm memories.

This rustic brown bag apple pie recipe captures the essence of homemade comfort with its golden, flaky crust and tender, spiced apple filling.

The unique brown bag technique ensures a perfectly crisp exterior while keeping the inner layers deliciously moist.

Seasonal apples burst with flavor, nestled between layers of buttery pastry that melt in your mouth.

Each slice tells a story of traditional baking methods passed down through family kitchens.

The aroma of cinnamon and baked apples will fill your home with warmth and anticipation.

Roll up your sleeves and embrace this delectable dessert that promises to become a cherished favorite at any gathering.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 8

Brown Bag Apple Pie Ingredient Rundown

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the tender, flaky base that holds the pie together, choose unbleached flour for better texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the richness of the butter.
• Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness to the crust, select fine granulated sugar for smooth integration.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, buttery flavor and creates layers in the crust, ensure it's cold and high-quality for best results.
• Ice Water: Helps bind the dough without overworking it, use filtered water for clean taste.

• Apples: Select firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold shape and provide balanced sweetness, look for smooth, unblemished fruits.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the filling and helps create a glossy caramel-like sauce.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep, caramel notes and helps create a rich, complex flavor profile.
• Ground Cinnamon: Provides warm, aromatic spice that complements the apples perfectly.
• Nutmeg: Offers subtle, earthy warmth that enhances the overall pie flavor.
• Lemon Juice: Prevents apple browning and adds bright, tangy undertone to balance sweetness.

• Egg: Creates a golden, glossy finish when brushed on the crust, helps seal and beautify the pie.

Tools That Help with This Unique Baking Method

• Large bowl: Perfect for mixing dry ingredients and creating pie dough.
• Pastry cutter: Essential for cutting cold butter into flour mixture.
• Whisk: Helps blend dry ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements for accurate ingredients.
• Plastic wrap: Keeps pie dough fresh while chilling.
• Rolling pin: For rolling out pie crust to perfect thickness.
• Pie dish: Where the delicious apple pie will take shape.
• Knife: Useful for cutting butter and preparing apples.

Bake an Apple Pie That’s Crisp and Juicy

• Create Flaky Pastry

Mix dry ingredients in a big bowl, blending flour, salt, and sugar smoothly. Break cold butter into tiny pieces and work it into the mixture until it looks like rough sand.

• Prepare Dough

Drizzle icy water slowly into the flour blend, stirring gently until the dough holds together. Split the dough into two equal parts, shape into flat circles, and tuck them into the refrigerator for a cool rest.

• Craft Apple Filling

Slice apples into thin, delicate pieces. Sprinkle with cinnamon and a touch of sweet sugar. Gently toss the apple slices to coat them evenly with the warm spices.

• Shape the Pie

Roll out one dough circle and place it in a brown paper bag-lined baking dish. Pour the spiced apple mixture into the crust, spreading it evenly. Cover with the second dough circle, sealing the edges with a playful crimp.

• Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the pie into a preheated oven. Let it bake until the crust turns a beautiful golden brown and the apples become tender and bubbling. The aroma will fill your kitchen with warmth and comfort.

• Cool and Serve

Remove the pie from the oven and let it rest. The waiting is the hardest part! Once cooled, slice and serve, watching everyone’s eyes light up with delight.

Tips to Keep the Crust Golden in the Bag

• Ensure your butter is ice-cold and handle the dough minimally to maintain those delightful, tender layers that melt in your mouth.
• Prepare the pie crust dough up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate, or freeze for up to 3 months for instant dessert readiness.
• Swap wheat flour with a gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum to maintain the crust's structure and texture for those with dietary restrictions.
• Experiment with different apple types like Honeycrisp for sweetness, Granny Smith for tartness, or a mix to create a complex, balanced flavor profile that keeps everyone guessing.
• Reduce sugar content by using naturally sweet apples and adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or a touch of honey to enhance sweetness without excess refined sugar.

Serve Sliced with a Scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream

• Rustic Pie Presentation: Serve the pie on a wooden cutting board with a vintage pie server for a charming, homemade farmhouse feel that highlights the pie's warm, rustic appeal.
• Delightful Accompaniments: Pair each slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream to enhance the apple pie's sweet, comforting flavors and provide a creamy contrast.
• Cozy Beverage Pairing: Complement the pie with a warm mug of cinnamon-spiced apple cider or a steaming cup of chai tea, which will beautifully echo the pie's aromatic apple and spice notes and create a perfect autumn dessert experience.
• Seasonal Garnish Idea: Sprinkle a light dusting of cinnamon or garnish with a few thin apple slices and a sprig of fresh mint to add an elegant, finishing touch that makes the pie look as delicious as it tastes.

Store Pie at Room Temp or in the Fridge

• Wrap the pie tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The cool environment helps maintain the crust's delicate texture and prevents flavor absorption from other foods.
• Prepare the pie dough up to 3 days in advance, storing it wrapped in the refrigerator. This strategy saves precious time when you're ready to bake and allows the dough to develop deeper, richer flavors.
• Unbaked pie can be frozen for up to 3 months. Wrap it securely in two layers of plastic wrap and one layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking for the best results.
• Cut leftover pie into individual portions, wrapping each slice separately in plastic wrap. These personal-sized treats can be stored in the refrigerator for quick snacks or reheated gently in the oven for a warm dessert moment.

FAQs

• How do I know if my pie dough is properly mixed?

Look for a texture like coarse, pea-sized crumbs. The dough should hold together when squeezed but not be too wet or sticky. Chilling helps the butter stay cold and creates flaky layers.

• Can I use margarine instead of butter?

Butter provides the best flavor and flaky texture. Margarine might work, but it won’t give the same rich taste and tender crust that butter creates. Stick to unsalted butter for the best results.

• Why is it important to use cold butter and water?

Cold ingredients prevent the butter from melting before baking. This helps create those coveted flaky, layered textures in your pie crust by keeping small butter pieces intact during baking.

• What if my dough is too dry or crumbly?

Add ice water very slowly, one tablespoon at a time. Mix gently after each addition. Stop when the dough just comes together – you don’t want it too wet or tough. The right moisture helps bind the dough without overworking it.

Rustic Brown Bag Apple Pie Recipe

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4.5 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Nostalgic Brown Bag Apple Pie brings classic American dessert traditions to your kitchen table. Warm cinnamon and buttery crust create a comforting experience you’ll savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 cups/1.4 L apples (about 6 medium, Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• ¾ cup/150 g granulated sugar
• ¼ cup/55 g brown sugar
• 2 ½ cups/310 g all-purpose flour
• 1 cup/225 g unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
• ½ cup/100 g granulated sugar (for topping)
• ½ cup/65 g all-purpose flour (for topping)
• ¼ cup/55 g unsalted butter (cold, cubed, for topping)
• 6 tbsps ice water
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)

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Instructions

1. Pastry Preparation: Blend flour, salt, and sugar in a large bowl, creating a uniform dry base for the pie crust.
2. Butter Integration: Incorporate chilled butter into the flour mixture, using fingertips to break down fat until the texture resembles coarse, uneven crumbs.
3. Dough Formation: Gradually add ice water, gently mixing until the dough coheres without becoming excessively wet, then divide into two equal portions and shape into discs.
4. Dough Chilling: Wrap each dough disc in plastic film and refrigerate for 30 minutes, allowing gluten to relax and butter to firm up, ensuring a perfectly flaky crust.
5. Apple Preparation: Peel, core, and slice apples into uniform wedges, tossing with cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, and a touch of lemon juice to enhance their natural sweetness and prevent browning.
6. Pie Assembly: Roll out one dough disc and carefully transfer to a pie dish, trimming excess edges while leaving a slight overhang for crimping.
7. Filling Distribution: Arrange seasoned apple slices in the prepared crust, creating an even, slightly mounded layer that will settle during baking.
8. Top Crust Application: Cover the apple filling with the second rolled-out dough disc, sealing edges by crimping and creating decorative vents to allow steam escape.
9. Baking Preparation: Nestle the pie inside a brown paper bag, folding the opening to create a sealed environment that promotes even cooking and moisture retention.
10. Oven Transformation: Bake in a preheated 425°F oven for 45 minutes, then reduce temperature to 350°F and continue baking until the crust turns golden and apples become tender and bubbling.
11. Cooling Ritual: Remove the pie from the oven and paper bag, allowing it to rest for at least 30 minutes, which helps the filling set and intensifies the flavors.

Notes

• Maintain Cold Butter: Keep butter extremely cold and work quickly to prevent melting, which ensures a flaky, delicate pie crust texture.
• Gentle Dough Handling: Minimize hand contact with dough to prevent warming butter, using light touches and swift movements during preparation.
• Chill Before Rolling: Allow dough to rest in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, helping gluten relax and preventing shrinkage during baking.
• Use Brown Bag Technique: Place pie in brown paper bag during baking to create even heat distribution and prevent excessive browning of crust edges.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 23 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg