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In cooking, an apple pie is a fruit pie in which the principal filling ingredient is apples. The pastry is generally used top-and-bottom, making a double-crust pie.

Aside from the obvious major ingredient, apple pies can have a great deal of variation. Some recipes incorporate spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. They typically include sugar, and some recipes also use dried fruit (currants or sultanas). One variation of the apple pie uses fresh or frozen blackberry. Some people add a slice or two of cheddar cheese.

The fruit for the pie can be fresh, canned, or reconstituted from dried apples. This affects the final texture, and the length of cooking time required, but it has no effect on the flavour of the pie. Dried or preserved apples were originally substituted at times when fresh fruit was unavailable.

Apple pie is traditionally associated with America, where it is a highly popular dessert, often served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This is known as 'apple pie a la mode'... 'As American as apple pie' is a common saying due to this association. Apple pie in America goes all the way back to the Pilgrims, who brought apple seeds with them from England.

A so-called mock apple pie using crackers was apparently invented by pioneers on the move during the 19th century who were bereft of apples. In the 1930s, and for many years afterwards, Ritz Crackers promoted a recipe for mock apple pie using their product, along with sugar and various spices. Although opinion is sharply divided on its merits, many people feel that its taste and texture are surprisingly close to the authentic pie.

Pop culture references

In the movie American Pie, the pie is used as a prop gag of sorts.

External links

• Apple Pie Recipe With Lots of Pictures and Detailed Instructions on How to Make an Apple Pie.

• American cuisine
• Pies