Golden Brown Bag Magic: Simplest Apple Pie Recipe Ever

Sweet, tart apples nestled in a rustic brown bag apple pie create a dessert that whispers of autumn’s warmth and homemade comfort.

Crisp orchard fruits mingle with buttery pastry, promising a delightful culinary experience.

The unique baking method locks in rich, deep flavors that dance across your palate.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this simple yet impressive technique.

Layers of cinnamon-spiced apples peek through a golden, flaky crust that crumbles with each bite.

The paper bag transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dessert that feels like a warm embrace.

Prepare to fall in love with this delectable slice of pure, rustic happiness.

Tools To Make Easy Brown Bag Apple Pie

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining dry ingredients and mixing apple filling.
• Pastry cutter or fingers: Perfect for cutting butter into flour and creating crumbly topping.
• Rolling pin: Key for rolling out pie crust evenly on a floured surface.
• 9-inch pie dish: Necessary for holding and baking the pie.
• Large brown paper bag: Unique baking method that helps create a crispy, golden crust.
• Baking sheet: Placed under the paper bag to catch any potential drips.
• Small bowl: Used for mixing the crumble topping.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Stapler: Needed to seal the brown paper bag during baking.

How To Bake Easy Brown Bag Apple Pie

• Craft Your Pastry Base

Create a silky dough by blending flour with chilled butter using quick hand movements. Gently combine ingredients until they resemble coarse breadcrumbs. Drizzle icy water sparingly, kneading until the mixture barely holds together. Shape into smooth disks and chill in the refrigerator.

• Transform Apples into Delectable Filling

Slice crisp apples and toss with warm spices, creating a fragrant mixture that promises incredible flavor. Allow the natural apple juices to mingle with sweet sugars and aromatic cinnamon.

• Artfully Construct Your Pie

Roll out pastry into a delicate circle and nestle it gently into a pie dish. Pour the spiced apple mixture, creating gentle peaks and valleys. Sprinkle a crumbly, buttery topping that will transform into a golden-brown crust during baking.

• Bake Inside a Magical Brown Bag

Carefully slide the pie inside a large brown paper bag, sealing the edges to create a steamy cooking environment. Place on a baking sheet and slide into a preheated oven. Bake until the aroma fills your kitchen and the filling bubbles with promise.

• Serve with Love

Allow the pie to rest and cool, letting the flavors settle and intensify. Slice carefully and serve, revealing layers of tender apples and crisp, golden crust.

Tips To Change Up Easy Brown Bag Apple Pie

• Pie Perfection Hacks: Unlock Delicious Secrets
• Apple Selection Magic: Choose a mix of tart Granny Smith and sweet Honeycrisp apples for a perfectly balanced filling that delivers complex flavor and ideal texture.
• Butter Technique Boost: Keep butter ice-cold and cut into tiny cubes for the flakiest, most tender pie crust that melts in your mouth and creates gorgeous layers.
• Gluten-Free Transformation: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free blend and use dairy-free butter substitute to make this pie completely allergen-friendly without sacrificing taste.
• Spice Level Adventure: Experiment with warming spices like cardamom or ginger alongside cinnamon to create unexpected depth and make your apple pie stand out from traditional recipes.
• Make-Ahead Master Plan: Prepare the pie crust and filling a day in advance, refrigerate separately, and assemble just before baking to save time and enhance flavor complexity.

Serve Easy Brown Bag Apple Pie Warm And Cozy

• Sweet Scoop Companions: Creamy vanilla ice cream perfectly complements the warm, spiced apple pie, creating a delightful temperature and flavor contrast.
• Cozy Comfort Pairing: Serve alongside a steaming mug of cinnamon-spiced tea or hot coffee to enhance the pie's comforting autumn essence.
• Nutty Crunch Topper: Sprinkle chopped toasted pecans or walnuts over each slice to add a delightful textural crunch and nutty depth to the dessert.
• Whipped Dream Finish: Top with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant and indulgent final touch.

Storing Easy Brown Bag Apple Pie The Right Way

• Quick Cooling Technique: Let the pie rest at room temperature for 30-45 minutes after baking to help filling set perfectly and prevent runny texture.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover pie covered with aluminum foil or plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, maintaining its delicious taste and texture.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap individual slices or whole pie tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before enjoying.
• Reheating Perfection: Warm individual slices in oven at 350F for 10-15 minutes to restore crispy crust and bring back that fresh-baked warmth and aroma.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients For Easy Brown Bag Apple Pie

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the base structure and tender crumb for a classic pie foundation.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the pie.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps with crust browning.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates flaky layers and delivers rich, creamy flavor to the crust.
• Ice Water: Binds the dough together without activating gluten, ensuring a delicate texture.

• Apples: Choose firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for perfect baking consistency.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps caramelize the apple filling.
• Brown Sugar: Provides deep, molasses-like sweetness and moisture.
• Ground Cinnamon: Delivers warm, classic apple pie spice profile.
• Nutmeg: Adds subtle, aromatic depth to the filling.
• Flour: Thickens the apple juices, preventing a runny pie.
• Lemon Juice: Prevents apple browning and adds bright, tangy balance.

• Flour: Creates crisp, structured topping texture.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with golden-brown caramelization.
• Butter: Ensures rich flavor and helps bind the crumble together.

Rustic Brown Bag Apple Pie Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

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

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Description

Grandma’s easy brown bag apple pie recipe promises a nostalgic journey through classic American baking traditions. Warm cinnamon and tender apples nestle inside a perfectly crisp crust, delivering comfort with each delightful slice you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 cups (about 1.4 L) apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (55 g) brown sugar
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
• 2 ½ cups (310 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• 6–8 tbsps ice water
• ½ cup (65 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (55 g) unsalted butter (cold, cubed)

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Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Whisk flour, salt, and sugar in a mixing bowl. Integrate cold, diced butter using fingertips until the mixture forms a coarse, crumbly texture.
2. Dough Chilling: Add icy water to bind the dough, divide into two disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
3. Apple Filling: Slice apples and toss with sugars, flour, spices, and citrus juice, ensuring thorough and even coating of the fruit.
4. Crust Assembly: Roll out one dough disk on a floured surface to a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a 9-inch pie dish, trimming excess edges with precision.
5. Filling and Topping: Spread seasoned apples evenly across the crust. Create a crumble by blending flour, sugar, and chilled butter cubes, then sprinkle generously over the apple layer.
6. Baking Technique: Encase the entire pie in a large brown paper bag, sealing with staples and placing on a baking sheet to catch potential drips.
7. Oven Transformation: Preheat oven to 375F (190C). Bake the bagged pie for approximately one hour, allowing flavors to develop and apples to soften completely.
8. Cooling and Serving: Remove pie from its paper cocoon and let rest for 30 minutes, enabling the filling to set and flavors to meld before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Choose Cold Butter: Use very cold, cubed butter for the most flaky, tender pie crust that creates delicate, layered textures.
• Prevent Apple Browning: Toss sliced apples with lemon juice immediately after cutting to maintain fresh color and prevent oxidation.
• Control Moisture Levels: Pat apple slices dry before mixing with spices to avoid creating excess liquid that could make the bottom crust soggy.
• Adjust Spice Intensity: Experiment with spice ratios like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger based on personal taste preferences without overwhelming the apple’s natural flavor.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg