Looking at it from above, the crust is golden brown, meticulously cut-outs forming the NYC skyline and a big apple fill the top, giving a wonderful view to the glossy, caramelized golden apple filling within. It's a slice of New York on your plate!

The Empire Apple Pie

Name: The Empire Apple Pie
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 85 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: New York State Apples, 6 peeled, cored and thinly sliced; Unsalted butter, 100g plus extra for greasing; Brown sugar, 250g; Ground cinnamon, 2 tsp; Lemon, 1 zested and juiced; Pastry dough, 500g; Egg, 1 lightly beaten for glazing; Granulated sugar, 2 tbsp for sprinkling

Category Dessert

Prep 35 minutes

Cook 50 minutes

Style American

Technique Baking

Diet Friendly Vegetarian

Daily Recipe: January 23, 2026

Celebrate this National Pie Day with an exceptional creation, 'The Empire Apple Pie'. This pie uses New York State’s own state fruit, the crisp and slightly tart Apple. The pie crust is decorated with the iconic NYC skyline and the quintessential Big Apple icon, giving nod to the city's famous nickname.

Ingredients (for 8)

New york state apples - 6 - peeled, cored and thinly sliced
Unsalted butter - 100g - plus extra for greasing
Brown sugar - 250g
Ground cinnamon - 2 tsp
Lemon - 1 - zested and juiced
Pastry dough - 500g
Egg - 1 - lightly beaten for glazing
Granulated sugar - 2 tbsp - for sprinkling

Preparation

Step 1 - 🌡️🔥🕐

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 2 - 🍎🥘🔥

Melt the unsalted butter in a large saucepan. Add your thinly sliced New York State Apples, add brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and lemon zest. Let it cook over medium heat until the apples have softened and are caramelized.
Step 3 - 🥣🥮👌

Roll out the pastry dough on a floured surface and fit it into a buttered pie dish. Trim and flute the edges as needed.
Step 4 - 🍏🥮🥄

Generously spoon your apple filling into the prepared pastry crust.
Step 5 - 🍏🌃🖌️

Roll out the second pastry, cut out the skyline and apple shapes. Delicately lay this over the apple filling, leaving the cut-out areas open. Brush this crust with the beaten egg and sprinkle it with granulated sugar.
Step 6 - 🥧🔥🕐

Place your pie in the preheated oven. Bake it for about 45-50 min until the pie crust appears golden brown.
Step 7 - 🥧❄️🍽️

Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool before serving.

Additional

Make this pie a day in advance to allow flavors to develop even more. Get your kids involved in decorating the pie crust with skyline and apple shapes, making it a family-bonding activity. For a touch of luxury, serve with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream.