Classic Peach Pie (Print version)

Sweet peaches nestled in buttery pastry with warm cinnamon spice. Serves eight.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pie Crust

01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
03 - 1 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
05 - 6-8 tablespoons ice water

→ Peach Filling

06 - 6 cups ripe peaches, peeled, pitted, and sliced
07 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
08 - 1/4 cup cornstarch
09 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
11 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
12 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
13 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Assembly

14 - 1 egg, beaten for egg wash
15 - 1 tablespoon coarse sugar for sprinkling

# Directions:

01 - Whisk together flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add cold butter and cut in with a pastry blender or fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until dough just comes together. Divide dough in half, shape into discs, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
02 - Toss sliced peaches with sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla in a large bowl. Set aside for 10 minutes.
03 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
04 - Roll out one dough disc on a floured surface to fit a 9-inch pie dish. Transfer to the dish and trim excess.
05 - Pour the peach filling into the crust, spreading evenly.
06 - Roll out the second dough disc and place over the filling. Trim, seal, and crimp the edges. Cut several slits or create a lattice pattern for steam to escape.
07 - Brush the top crust with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired.
08 - Bake for 50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. If the edges brown too quickly, cover them with foil.
09 - Cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the filling to set.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of warm spiced peaches and flaky butter crust is basically what summer dreams are made of
  • People will think you spent all day making it but the active time is surprisingly manageable
  • Leftovers (if they exist) taste even better the next morning for breakfast
02 -
  • Warm pie is poetic but pie that has fully set is actually sliceable and impressive
  • If your peaches are super juicy you might need an extra 15 minutes in the oven
  • A baking sheet on the rack below catches any drips and saves your oven from smoking
03 -
  • Put your pie plate in the fridge while you roll out the dough, a cold dish helps prevent soggy bottoms
  • If you are nervous about homemade crust, good quality store-bought dough is completely acceptable
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