📖 Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This step is crucial to ensure even baking and a perfectly golden crust.
2. Prepare the apples: Peel, core, and thinly slice about 6 medium-sized apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work great!). Toss them in a large bowl with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to prevent browning.
3. Make the filling: In a separate bowl, combine 3/4 cup of granulated sugar, 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Mix well to combine.
4. Combine apples and filling: Pour the sugar mixture over the sliced apples and gently toss until all the apples are evenly coated. The mixture should be fragrant and the apples glistening. Mmm...smells wonderful, doesn't it?
5. Prepare the crust: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one of your pie crusts into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer it to a 9-inch pie plate. Gently press the crust into the bottom and sides of the plate. Trim any excess dough and crimp the edges using a fork or your fingers for a decorative touch.
6. Add the filling: Pour the apple mixture into the prepared pie crust, mounding it slightly in the center. Dot the top with 2 tablespoons of butter, cut into small pieces. Oh yeah...butter's the secret weapon!
7. Top crust time: Roll out the second pie crust into another 12-inch circle. Carefully place it over the apple filling. Trim any excess dough and crimp the edges to seal the top and bottom crusts together. Cut several slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking.
8. Egg wash (optional): For an extra golden and glossy crust, brush the top with an egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon of water). Sprinkle with a little extra sugar if desired. It's purdy!
9. Bake: Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, cover the edges with foil or a pie shield.
10. Cool and serve: Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 2-3 hours before slicing and serving. This allows the filling to set properly. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. If you want to, you could also add a dash of caramel or something! Now, that's perfection!