Apricot Pie Recipe

Heavenly Homemade Apricot Pie Recipe: Sweet Summer Magic

Crafting a delightful apricot pie transports you to sunny orchards bursting with ripe, golden fruit.

Sweet memories dance through kitchens where fragrant pastry promises comfort and joy.

Tender apricots nestled in flaky crust create pure magic on dessert plates.

Seasonal bounty comes alive with each carefully sliced fruit and sprinkle of spice.

Baking becomes an art form when passion meets fresh ingredients and cherished techniques.

Warm aromas will beckon everyone to gather around, eager to savor each delectable slice.

You cannot resist the temptation of this rustic, irresistible pie that celebrates summer’s most precious harvest.

Ingredients To Make A Luscious Apricot Pie

Pie Crust Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: A key component for creating a tender and flaky base for the pie.
  • Salt: Enhances the flavor of the pie crust and balances the richness.
  • Shortening: Provides a light and crisp texture to the pie crust.
  • Water: Helps bind the pie crust ingredients together.
Pie Filling Ingredients:
  • Apricots: The star ingredient that brings a sweet and tangy flavor to the pie.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a rich, caramelized filling.
  • Flour: Thickens the fruit filling and prevents it from becoming too runny.
  • Lemon Juice: Adds a bright, acidic note and helps prevent the apricots from browning.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Provides a warm, aromatic spice that complements the apricots.
Topping Ingredients:
  • Sugar: A light sprinkle on top of the crust adds a sweet, golden finish.

Baking Steps For Juicy Homemade Apricot Pie

Baking Steps For Juicy Homemade Apricot Pie

Step 1: Whip Up the Pie Crust

Create a soft, flaky pie dough by blending flour and salt in a mixing bowl.

Work in shortening using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture looks like coarse sand.

Slowly add cold water, mixing gently until the dough comes together into a smooth ball.

Step 2: Prepare the Pie Plate

Divide the dough into two equal portions.

Roll out each piece on a lightly floured surface until thin and wide enough to cover a 9-inch pie dish.

Carefully transfer one crust to line the bottom of the dish, letting excess hang over the edges.

Step 3: Create the Apricot Filling

In a separate bowl, combine:
  • Sugar
  • Flour
  • Cinnamon

Gently fold in fresh apricots and a splash of lemon juice, ensuring every piece of fruit gets coated with the sweet mixture.

Pour this fragrant filling into the prepared pie crust.

Step 4: Top and Decorate the Pie

Carefully lay the second pie crust over the filled pie.

Trim the edges and crimp them together to seal.

Cut a few decorative slits across the top to allow steam to escape.

Sprinkle a light dusting of sugar over the crust for extra sparkle.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place the pie in a preheated oven.

Bake until the crust turns a gorgeous golden brown and the filling begins to bubble and peek through the slits.

This typically takes about 45 to 50 minutes.

Let the pie cool completely before slicing to allow the filling to set.

Handy Hints For Perfect Apricot Pie Crust

  • Brush the bottom crust with beaten egg white before adding filling to create a protective barrier that keeps the crust crisp.
  • Use ripe, in-season apricots for the most intense and sweet flavor profile in your pie.
  • Drain excess liquid from apricots before mixing with sugar to prevent a watery filling and ensure a perfect pie consistency.
  • Cover pie edges with aluminum foil during the last 15 minutes of baking to prevent over-browning and ensure even golden color.
  • Let the pie cool completely for at least 2-3 hours to allow filling to set, making slicing and serving much easier and cleaner.

Flavor Ideas For Fresh Apricot Pie Options

  • Summer Peach Swap: Replace apricots with fresh peaches for a classic stone fruit pie with slightly sweeter flavor profile.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use almond flour or gluten-free blend instead of regular flour for crust, ensuring celiac-friendly baking experience.
  • Low-Sugar Alternative: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall calorie and carbohydrate content while maintaining natural fruit sweetness.
  • Vegan Version: Replace shortening with coconut oil, use plant-based butter alternative for crust, and ensure all ingredients are dairy-free for completely vegan pie option.

How To Serve Apricot Pie With Style

  • Summer Picnic Star: Pack slices of this pie in portable containers for a delightful outdoor dessert that captures sunshine and sweet memories.
  • Rustic Farmhouse Presentation: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, letting the cold cream melt slightly against the golden-brown crust for a heavenly contrast.
  • Coffee Companion: Pair each slice with a rich, hot espresso or creamy cappuccino to enhance the apricot's tangy sweetness and complement the pie's buttery texture.
  • Brunch Showstopper: Arrange pie slices on a wooden board with fresh apricot halves and a sprinkle of powdered sugar for an elegant morning dessert that looks professionally styled.

Apricot Pie Slices Ready For Storing

  • Keep leftover apricot pie covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Place on a flat shelf to maintain crust integrity.
  • Wrap individual pie slices or whole pie tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
  • Warm slices in preheated oven at 350F for 10-15 minutes. Cover edges with foil to prevent burning. Restore crisp crust and warm filling quickly.

FAQs

  • How do I know if my pie crust is flaky and tender?

Use cold shortening and handle the dough minimally. Mix ingredients just until they come together, and avoid overworking the dough to prevent tough crust.

  • Can I use fresh or frozen apricots?

Both work well. Fresh apricots are ideal when in season, while frozen apricots can be used year-round. If using frozen, thaw and drain excess liquid before mixing with sugar and flour.

  • What's the best way to prevent a soggy bottom crust?

Sprinkle a thin layer of breadcrumbs or ground nuts on the bottom crust before adding filling. This helps absorb excess moisture and keeps the crust crisp.

Apricot Pie Recipe That Steals The Show

  • Craft Homemade Comfort: Create a delightful pie that brings warmth and nostalgia with simple ingredients and traditional baking techniques.
  • Master Easy Pie Making: Learn to prepare a delicious dessert without complicated steps, perfect for bakers of all skill levels from beginners to experienced cooks.
  • Versatile Summer Treat: Showcase seasonal apricots in a classic pie that works wonderfully for family gatherings, potlucks, or casual weekend desserts.
  • Customize with Creativity: Experiment with additional spices like nutmeg or swap fruits to make the recipe uniquely yours, offering flexibility in preparation.
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Apricot Pie Recipe

Apricot Pie Recipe


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4.7 from 30 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Sweet sunshine meets flaky pastry in Grandma’s Apricot Pie, a delightful dessert celebrating summer’s golden fruit. Buttery crust and caramelized apricots meld together, promising a slice of pure comfort that connects generations around the table.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 5 cups fresh apricots, pitted and quartered

Crust Ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup butter-flavored shortening
  • 6 tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Sweeteners and Spices:

  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon sugar for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Prepare the flaky pastry foundation by combining flour and salt in a spacious mixing vessel. Incorporate shortening until the texture resembles rough granules.
  2. Gradually introduce water, kneading gently until a cohesive dough emerges. Divide the dough into two equal portions.
  3. Roll out each dough section to create delicate crusts that perfectly line a 9-inch pie dish. Carefully position the first crust into the bottom of the dish.
  4. Create a sweet-tangy filling by blending sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a separate bowl. Gently fold in fresh apricots and a splash of lemon juice, ensuring every fruit piece is evenly coated.
  5. Transfer the apricot mixture into the prepared pie crust, spreading it uniformly across the base.
  6. Drape the second pastry crust over the filled pie. Crimp and seal the edges decoratively, creating a watertight border.
  7. Artfully cut several steam vents across the top crust to prevent pressure buildup during baking.
  8. Sprinkle a light dusting of sugar over the crust for a golden, crystalline finish.
  9. Position the pie in a preheated oven at 425F (220C). Bake for 45-50 minutes until the crust transforms to a rich golden brown and the filling bubbles tantalizingly.
  10. Allow the pie to cool completely, letting the filling set before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Achieve a flaky crust by keeping ingredients cold and handling the dough minimally to prevent gluten development.
  • Prevent soggy bottom by preheating a baking sheet and placing the pie directly on the hot surface during baking.
  • Protect pie edges from over-browning by covering them with aluminum foil halfway through cooking if they brown too quickly.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute shortening with coconut oil or vegan butter alternatives to maintain the crust’s texture and richness.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 260 kcal
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 35 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg
Natalie Brooks

Natalie Brooks

Co-Founder & Content Strategist

Expertise

  • Vegan and plant-based recipe creation
  • Meal planning and nutritional analysis
  • Storytelling through blog content, video, and social media

Education

eCornell

  • Program: Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate
  • Focus: Whole-food, plant-based cooking, with a foundation in nutritional science and sustainable eating habits.

Natalie brings the vibrant, plant-powered side to Culinary Duo. After earning her Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from eCornell, she combined her love for fresh ingredients with a passion for storytelling, aiming to make healthy cooking simple and satisfying.
Her kitchen motto: good food doesn’t need a fancy label, it just needs fresh ideas and a little creativity. Outside of writing and recipe testing, Natalie’s happiest in her garden, exploring farmers’ markets, or mixing global flavors into new kitchen experiments.

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