Apple pie is one of America's favorite desserts, even though it isn't American at all. In fact, we did not even have apples until the arrival of European settlers.

Whatever may be the case, it didn't take much for apple pie to become a staple, so much so that America’s first cookbook, American Cookery by Amelia Simmons, published in 1796, included two recipes for the fruit-based dessert, says Southern Living.

On May 13, as we celebrate National Apple Pie Day, here are some tips that can help us whip up the perfect apple pie.

1) Choosing the best apples: According to Amy Traverso, author of the award-winning The Apple Lover’s Cookbook, one needs a mix of "firm-tart and firm-sweet" apple varieties to ensure you don't end up with a mushy pie. While the combination of tart and sweet will give the pie a great flavor, using firm apples will help the fruits hold their shape throughout the cooking process. Granny Smith, Esopus Spitzenburg, Pink Pearl, Jazz and Pink Lady are some of the best varieties.

2) Using ice-cold water in the crust: Using ice-cold water for pie crust can be a game-changer, says Martha Stewart, author of many cookbooks. The dough should be kept cold and the flour should not be overworked or over-hydrated, Stewart stresses. Just add water to a glass with ice cubes and let sit for a minute. Then measure out the water the recipe calls for, leaving the ice cubes behind, she says.

3) Brush the inside of the crust with egg wash: A layer of egg wash between the filling and the crust keeps the apple’s juices from softening the crust. An egg wash can also be applied to the top crust right before baking to get that delicious browned appearance.

4) Let your apple pie rest: It is important to let the pie cool down for several hours. While a hot pie might sound delicious, it may end up runny and wet, instead of perfectly glazed and juicy. A room temperature will help the pie crust get a flakier and crisper texture.

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Representational image Pixabay (CC0)
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