The Coziest Easy Brown Bag Apple Pie Recipe for Fall Baking

Have you ever stumbled upon a surprisingly simple brown bag apple pie recipe that changes everything about home baking?

Crisp autumn afternoons call for delightful desserts that fill kitchens with warm cinnamon aromas.

Traditional pie-making techniques can feel intimidating, but this method strips away complicated steps.

Baking becomes an adventure when you toss ingredients into a paper bag and let magic happen.

Unexpected techniques often produce the most remarkable results in cooking.

Wooden spoons, measuring cups, and a brown bag are your only requirements for creating a dessert that will spark conversation.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe and surprise everyone with its delicious simplicity.

Why Easy Brown Bag Apple Pie Is A Hidden Gem

• Bake with Ease: This apple pie recipe simplifies the baking process by using a brown paper bag, making it perfect for novice bakers who want to create a delicious dessert without complex techniques.
• Time-Saving Technique: The method cuts down on prep time by using a straightforward crust-making approach and a unique baking method that ensures even cooking without constant monitoring.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Packed with warm cinnamon and nutmeg, this homemade pie delivers classic fall flavors that bring family and friends together, making it ideal for gatherings, holidays, or cozy weekend treats.
• Versatile Dessert Delight: Whether served warm with vanilla ice cream or enjoyed the next day, this pie adapts perfectly to different occasions, from casual family dinners to special celebrations.

What You Need For Easy Brown Bag Apple Pie

• All-Purpose Flour: Base of the pie crust, creates flaky texture and structure.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and controls gluten development.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness to the crust.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich flavor and creates flaky layers, best when cold.
• Ice Water: Helps bind the dough together without overworking.

• Apples: Main filling ingredient, best with firm baking varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create syrupy texture.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes and moisture.
• Ground Cinnamon: Warm spice that complements apple flavor.
• Nutmeg: Provides subtle, complementary warmth.
• All-Purpose Flour: Thickens the filling and absorbs apple juices.
• Lemon Juice: Prevents apple browning and adds bright acidity.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates structure for the crumble.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness to the topping.
• Unsalted Butter: Binds the crumble and provides rich flavor.

Steps To Make Easy Brown Bag Apple Pie

Step 1: Whip Up the Pie Crust

• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Granulated sugar

Whisk these dry buddies together until they’re well acquainted. Slice cold butter into tiny cubes and drop them into the flour mixture. Use your fingertips or a pastry cutter to massage the butter into the flour. Keep working until the mixture looks like grainy sand. Drizzle in ice-cold water, one splash at a time, gently mixing until the dough starts to stick together. Split the dough into two equal portions, flatten them into round disks, and wrap each in plastic. Chill these dough disks in the refrigerator for about half an hour.

Step 2: Create the Apple Filling

• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Flour
• Ground cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Fresh lemon juice

Toss everything together so each apple slice gets a delicious coating.

Step 3: Craft the Pie

Roll out one dough disk on a flour-dusted surface until it forms a beautiful 12-inch circle. Gently drape the dough into a 9-inch pie dish, trimming any excess hanging over the edges. Pour the apple mixture into the crust, spreading it evenly.

Step 4: Design the Crumble Topping

• Flour
• Sugar
• Cold butter cubes

Use your fingers to transform these ingredients into a crumbly, sandy texture. Sprinkle this magical topping all over the apple filling.

Step 5: Bag and Bake

Carefully slide the entire pie dish inside a large brown paper bag. Fold the bag’s open end and secure it with staples. Place the bagged pie on a baking sheet to catch any potential drips.

Step 6: Bring on the Heat

Preheat the oven to 375F (190C). Slide the bagged pie into the oven and bake for one full hour. The bag will trap steam, creating an incredibly moist and tender pie.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Carefully remove the pie from the oven. Let it rest and cool for about 30 minutes before unveiling. This waiting period allows the filling to set and makes slicing much easier.

Enjoy your delightfully unique brown bag apple pie!

Tips For Easy Brown Bag Apple Pie Success

• Butter Chilling Technique: Keep butter ice-cold and cut into small cubes before incorporating into the pie crust for ultra-flaky, tender results.
• Apple Selection Strategy: Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape during baking and provide perfect texture contrast.
• Moisture Management Trick: Toss apple slices with lemon juice to prevent browning and add a bright, tangy flavor while maintaining crisp apple texture.
• Brown Bag Baking Magic: The paper bag creates a steamy environment that helps the pie cook evenly and prevents over-browning of the crust and topping.
• Make-Ahead Masterplan: Prepare pie crust and filling a day in advance, refrigerate separately, and assemble just before baking to save time and enhance flavors.

Storage Tips For Easy Brown Bag Apple Pie

• Preserve your delectable apple pie's freshness by storing it properly.
• Wrap the cooled pie loosely with aluminum foil or plastic wrap to prevent moisture buildup.
• Refrigerate the pie for up to 4 days, keeping its texture and flavor intact.
• When ready to enjoy, gently reheat individual slices in the oven at 350F for 10 minutes to restore that just-baked warmth and crispy crust.
• For longer storage, freeze the entire pie or individual slices in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving, and your homemade pie will taste as delightful as the day you baked it.

Pairing Ideas For Easy Brown Bag Apple Pie

• Pair with Creamy Vanilla Scoop: Serve a generous scoop of classic vanilla ice cream alongside your warm apple pie for a heavenly contrast of temperatures and textures.
• Match with Spiced Chai Latte: Brew a rich, aromatic chai latte that complements the pie's warm cinnamon and nutmeg notes, creating a cozy autumn-inspired pairing.
• Enhance with Aged Caramel Whiskey: Pour a small glass of smooth, caramel-noted whiskey that echoes the pie's sweet, buttery characteristics and provides a sophisticated adult touch.
• Complement with Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Add a slice of sharp aged cheddar cheese on the side to balance the pie's sweetness with a tangy, savory counterpoint that traditional pie lovers adore.

Easy Brown Bag Apple Pie Variations To Try

• Rustic Caramel Apple Blend: Drizzle homemade caramel sauce over apple slices before adding to pie filling, creating a rich and gooey extra layer of sweetness.
• Nutty Autumn Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts into the crumble topping and mix through the apple filling for added texture and warm, earthy flavors.
• Spiced Maple Harvest: Replace granulated sugar with maple syrup and enhance the spice blend by adding ground cardamom and a pinch of cloves for a deeper, more complex taste profile.
• Berry Fusion Remix: Mix in fresh or frozen cranberries or raspberries with the apple filling to introduce a tart contrast and beautiful color variation to the traditional apple pie.

FAQ Guide For Easy Brown Bag Apple Pie

• Why bake a pie in a brown paper bag?

The brown bag technique helps create a moist, tender pie by trapping steam around the pie while it bakes. This method prevents the crust from burning and ensures even cooking, giving you a perfectly baked dessert with a wonderfully flaky crust.

• Can I use different types of apples for this pie?

Absolutely! A mix of tart and sweet apples works best. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Golden Delicious are excellent choices. Combining different apple varieties adds depth of flavor and creates a more complex taste profile for your pie.

• How do I know if the pie is fully baked?

Look for golden-brown crust and bubbling filling peeking through the topping. The apples should be tender when pierced with a fork, and the aroma of cinnamon and baked apples will fill your kitchen. The bag will be slightly darkened and puffy when the pie is ready.

• Is this pie method safer than traditional pie baking?

Yes! The brown bag method is actually quite safe when done correctly. Use a plain, uncoated paper bag without any printing or wax coating, and keep the bag away from the oven’s direct heat source. Always place the bagged pie on a baking sheet to catch any potential drips.

Easy Brown Bag Apple Pie Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Homemade Brown Bag Apple Pie delivers classic comfort with a delightful twist, wrapping warm spices and tender apples in a crisp, paper-wrapped pastry. Bakers can savor this nostalgic dessert that brings memories of grandma’s kitchen right to your plate.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients (Filling):

• 6 cups (about 6 medium) apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (55 g) brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)

Crust Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups (310 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
• 6–8 tablespoons ice water

Topping Ingredients:

• 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. Craft a delicate pie crust by whisking flour, salt, and sugar in a spacious mixing bowl. Incorporate cold, diced butter using fingertips or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse, crumbly texture.
2. Gradually introduce icy water, gently blending until the dough coheres. Divide the dough into two equal portions, shape into flat disks, encase in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a minimum of half an hour.
3. Slice apples and combine with sugars, flour, aromatic spices, and citrus juice in a generous mixing vessel. Thoroughly coat the apple slices, ensuring even distribution of seasonings.
4. On a flour-dusted surface, roll one dough disk into a circular shape extending to 12 inches. Carefully transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie dish, trimming excess edges with precision.
5. Elegantly spread the seasoned apple mixture across the prepared crust, creating an even layer.
6. Prepare a rustic crumble topping by blending flour, sugar, and chilled butter cubes. Use gentle pressure to form a loose, textured mixture.
7. Generously sprinkle the crumble over the apple filling, covering the surface completely.
8. Nestle the pie dish inside a large brown paper bag, sealing the open end securely with staples. Position the bagged pie on a baking sheet to capture potential drips.
9. Preheat the oven to 375F (190C). Bake the enclosed pie for approximately one hour, allowing the flavors to meld and apples to soften.
10. Carefully extract the piping hot pie from its paper cocoon. Allow the pie to rest and cool for a minimum of 30 minutes before serving, permitting the filling to set and flavors to intensify.

Notes

• Choose crisp, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance of flavor and texture in your pie.
• Prevent apple filling from becoming watery by letting sliced apples sit with sugar for 15 minutes, then drain excess liquid before mixing with other ingredients.
• Ensure a flaky crust by keeping butter and water extremely cold during preparation, and handle the dough minimally to avoid developing tough gluten.
• Transform this recipe into a gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with a blend of almond flour and gluten-free flour mix in both crust and crumble topping.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg