Who doesn't enjoy apple pie? It's at the core of every holiday meal. It's Sir Isaac Newton's favorite dessert. While some pies you may only give a rating of 3.14, you're sure to rate this a 5.0. I know that making pie, from scratch can feel overwhelming. You may feel like you can't do it on your own. You may have the mindset it takes 3.14 bakers to make one, but with my Instructable, you'll be able to do this all on your own.

Let's gather your ingredients together.

For the Pie Dough:

1 1/2 cups flour

4 tablespoons of shortening

1 tablespoon of powdered sugar

1 teaspoon of salt

1 egg

2 tablespoons of water

1 tablespoons of vinegar

For the Apple Filling:

1/4 cup of granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoons of salt

3 pounds of apples (use a 50/50 mixture of granny smith and either gala or cortland to make both sweet and tart)

1 tablespoon of apple cider or lemon juice (apple cider will enhance the sweetness while lemon juice will add more contrast)

1/3 cup of light brown sugar

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg

1.5 tablespoons of cornstarch

For the Crumb Topping:

3/4 cups of flour

1/2 cup of butter

1/4 teaspoon of salt

1 cup of light brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon

3/4 cup of oatmeal (NOT INSTANT)

Step 1: The Pie Dough

Mix all dry ingredients (flour, sugar and salt) in a medium bowl.

Take shortening and cut into small pieces and press into flour using a fork causing shortening to break into smaller pieces.

In a separate bowl mix egg, water and vinegar together making sure egg yolk is broken and mixed in.

Add half liquid mixture to dry mixture and stir slowly until liquid has absorbed into dry mixture.

Repeat with second half of liquid mixture.

The dough should be able to come together at this point. If too wet (sticking to your hands), add a little flour. If too dry (not holding together/keeping shape like a snowball), add a little cold water.

Cover with plastic and let sit for 10 or so minutes.

Find a spot that provides enough space to roll out the pie dough.

Sprinkle this working surface with some flour to avoid pie dough from sticking to surface.

Roll out dough about 2 inches wider than the circumference of the pie pan.

Place pie dough in pie pan.

Pie dough should hang about 1-1.5 inches over the edge of the pie pan. Cut off any extra dough that is hanging further than that amount.

Crimp edges of pie dough as shown in the picture.

Place pie dough in fridge.

Step 2: Apple Filling

Peel, core, and slice apples. I prefer to use a machine that will do all three at once as in the first picture. You should be able to buy one at any Bed Bath and Beyond or Walmart, ranging around $20-$30. However, you can use a peeler and an apple corer slicer.

The smaller the pieces of apples, the quicker the apple pie will cook. If you like a softer apple pie, cut into small pieces. If you like chunky and crunchier apple pie, cut into larger pieces. 1/2 inch thickness is my preferred size.

Throw slices in a bowl and sprinkle cider (or lemon juice) on top. Mix dry ingredients (granulated sugar, salt, light brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch) in a bowl and toss over apples and mix thoroughly.

When all apples are coated well, set aside.

Step 3: Crumb Topping

Mix all dry ingredient (flour, salt, sugar, cinnamon, oatmeal) and add butter the same way as you did with shortening making the pie dough.

Alternatively, if you'd rather not have a crumb topping, you can double the pie dough recipe and have a crusted top.

Step 4: Assemble

Remove pie dough from fridge.

Place apple filling directly into the pie dough.

Cover apple filling with crumb topping.

Step 5: Bake and Cool and Reheat.

Bake at 350F or 176C for 50 minutes. Pie should be bubbling at this point. If not, leave in for 5-10 more minutes. Your kitchen (and maybe whole home) should smell of wonderfully warm apple pie. Allow to cool completely before cutting to ensure pie has set and will hold its form. To enjoy a slice of warm apple pie, once it has cooled, reheat in 350 degree F oven for 5-10 minutes.

Step 6: Enjoy

Once reheated, get ready to enjoy your apple pie.

Call 3.14 of your friends (3 friends and an acquaintance) and invite them over to eat apple pie with you. Ask them if they prefer it by itself, with whipped cream or with ice cream. It's great all 3 ways!