Our 16 Most Popular Apple Pie Recipes, Including Martha’s Favorite

Who knew there were so many delicious ways to interpret this classic dessert?

best apple pie recipe with slice cut out on grey countertop
Photo:

Nico Schinco

There are few American desserts as beloved as apple pie. With its simple combination of fruit and crust, it's the pie that shows up everywhere, from roadside diners to Thanksgiving tables, and is most likely to win any pie popularity contest.

But there's definitely not just one way to make this classic. In this collection, we're showcasing a wide variety of apple pie recipes—whether you want a familiar and reliable, good old-fashioned dessert or you're up for something outside the box. You'll find versions inspired by other well-known desserts (think cake and bread pudding) and others that stay within the apple pie guardrails but feature a bit of flair in their design or presentation. Some call for one type of apple, while others use a mix. And they also range in serving size, so you're sure to find one that suits your gathering.

One thing's for sure: they're all delicious on their own or with a spoonful of something creamy, whether whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla.

01 of 16

Old-Fashioned Apple Pie

Old Fashioned Apple Pie

Rachel Marek

This traditional recipe is straightforward, calling for tart, firm Granny Smiths and a buttery, flaky pâte brisée crust. Make it once and you'll come back to it again and again.

02 of 16

Cinnamon-Swirl Apple Slab Pie

Cinnamon Swirl Apple Slab pie

Will Anderson

This beautiful slab pie is baked in a sheet pan, which means it serves a crowd. Its beautiful presentation is thanks to swirly cinnamon butter rounds that you shingle on top of the dough and apples.

03 of 16

Apple-Raspberry Pie

Apple-Raspberry Pie
Gentl and Hyers

Apples and berries are an unexpected combination that works beautifully in this tasty pie. You can use fresh or frozen raspberries; both deliver that signature sweet-tart punch.

04 of 16

Diamond Apple Pie

decorative tile double-crust apple pie
Johnny Miller

Although this dessert may taste like a traditional (and delicious) apple pie, its looks are anything but. You cut pie crust dough into diamonds, and brush half with egg yolk and half with egg white and sugar. The result is an eye-catching pattern that glitters.

05 of 16

Vegan Apple Pie

apple-pie-gluten-free-pumpkin-vegan-apple-pie-d112284.jpg
linda xiao

Made with safflower oil, this pie will please vegans and omnivores alike. The rich crust is a perfect contrast to the sweet fruit inside.

06 of 16

Apple Crumble Pie

apple crumble pie on gray countertop
Nico Schinco

Oats give the crumble layer of this pie great texture, and the filling includes three apple varieties, ranging in taste from sweet to tart.

07 of 16

Cheddar-Crusted Apple Pie

cheddar-crusted-apple-pie-vert-073-d113085.jpg
Yossy Arefi

In this savory-sweet pie, a crust made with shredded sharp cheddar makes a terrific counterpoint to tart Granny Smith apples.

08 of 16

Apple Pie Bread Pudding

Apple pie bread pudding in bakeware
Bryan Gardner

Here's a great hybrid dessert. It's got all the soft, spiced fruit of apple pie plus the chewy and golden chunks of brioche that make bread pudding so fabulous.

09 of 16

Best Apple Pie

best apple pie recipe with slice cut out on grey countertop

Nico Schinco

The name says it all, this is quite simply our best classic apple pie recipe. It uses a mixture of different apples for the filling and produces a pie with a bold, aromatic filling inside a golden-brown double crust.

10 of 16

Brown-Butter Apple Pie

pie-apple-0191-md110470.jpg
Marcus Nilsson

With its toasty, caramelized flavor, brown butter takes apple pie to the next level. Here, you combine it with the apples, which imparts a wonderfully nutty flavor.

11 of 16

Apple-Pie Cake

apple pie cake
Sonia Bozzo

Inspired by pie, yet cake-like in its slice-ability, this genius dessert is baked in a springform pan and has layers of crumbs and apples.

12 of 16

Martha's Favorite Tarte Tatin

tart-tatin-mblb107499.jpg

Although this rustic French classic isn't a pie, we couldn't resist adding it. It's an upside-down tart that you bake in a skillet. The caramelized liquid from the sugar and apples seeps down in the crust to create an insanely good dessert.

13 of 16

Stencil Apple Pie

decorative cinnamon sugar stencil double crust apple pie
Johnny Miller

Humble popsicle sticks are the secret to making this artful pie. You use them to create an arrow pattern, and cinnamon sugar provides the contrast.

14 of 16

Mile-High Apple Pie (AKA Martha's Favorite)

mile high apple pie
Kate Mathis

It's Martha's favorite, she says this is the most exquisite pie. And with 5 1/2 pounds of apples, you can call her masterpiece the Mt. Everest of pies. You'll need to make a deep-dish crust to hold everything in, but it's absolutely worth it.

15 of 16

Apple Pecan Pie

pecan-apple-pie-286-ms-6190441.jpg
Martyna Szczesna

When you can't decide between apple or pecan pie, turn to this creative recipe, which combines both. The filling includes apples and pecans, and it's topped with a crumb mixture made with more pecans.

16 of 16

Apple Galette

apple galette with easy piecrust sliced
Gentl & Hyers

If you're short on time or just don't feel like making a two-crust pie, try this free-form galette. And just like pie, it's great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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