While Apple Pie didn’t originate in the United States — in fact, it dates back to 14th century England — it represents the melting pot of ideas and traditions that makes America so special. Across the country, America’s bakers have grown and evolved this classic American dish with new ideas that have turned it into the cultural icon it is today. This is a pie with staying power, and one that offers plenty of opportunities for individual expression.
Believe it or not, apples aren’t even native to North America until they were brought over by Europeans. Prior to that, there was only one type of apple that grew on the continent — and somehow, Crab Apple Pie just doesn’t sound quite as delicious. It was the European immigrants who brought over and planted apple trees as we know them in North America.
In fact, apple pie’s origins predate even the European settlers. This British dish was influenced by many other pastries before it, including those made in France, the Netherlands and even the Ottoman empire. As European settlers brought the dish (and their own apple trees) to this new continent, both quickly took root. All this, despite the fact that the apples were originally intended for cider!
As apples quite literally grew within the country, so too did their lore. Perhaps most famously through the story of Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman), who walked thousands of miles across the American Frontier planting nurseries and distributing seeds to early settlers. But even then, by the time Johnny Appleseed became a hero of American folklore, two separate recipes for apple pie had already appeared in America’s first cookbook, American Cookery, published in 1796.
Since then, apple pie’s role in American cuisine has only proliferated further. Affordable, relatively easy (unless you’re braiding a crust for the first time!), and adaptable to new cultures and iterations, apple pie has become both a standard-bearer for amateur chefs and a baseline for professional bakers — a dish on which everyone could offer their own spin.
Whether you’ve baked one yourself, or simply developed a favorite apple pie pairing when you’re lucky enough to come across an extra slice at a party, everyone has their own take on how to make this pie even more perfect.
Here are just a few of the apple pie pairings popular in various parts of America, from the traditional to the most unexpected:
- Apple Pie + Ice Cream: Dolly Parton said it best: “I like to serve it with ice cream to cut the sweetness.” While she may have been talking about a fruit cobbler, the idea still stands with apple pie. This pairing goes beyond a double dose of sweetness — there’s something about the sensory contradiction of a hot pie fresh out of the oven warming cold ice cream straight from the freezer that makes the apple pie even more enjoyable to bite into.
- Apple Pie + Whipped Cream: It doesn’t get more American than this. Whether it’s out of a can, a container, or made from scratch, this one is a classic for a reason. And it’s incredibly easy. All it takes is heavy whipping cream, sugar, vanilla extract, a chilled bowl and electric beater. Just combine the ingredients and beat until peaks of whipped cream appear and you have a low effort but high flavor topping for your apple pie.
- Apple pie + crème fraîche: Lighter than ice cream, crème fraîche is made by combining cream with a small amount of buttermilk. The result? A tangy, smooth and creamy twist on a classic that somehow feels even more elevated and decadent.
- Apple pie + cheddar cheese: Don’t knock it ’til you try it! This is an American regional delicacy. There’s something about the sweet tartness of an apple juxtaposed against the sharp, savory bite of melted cheddar that adds a whole new dimension to this classic dish. And it’s more traditional than you might think — this pairing heralds all the way back to 17th century England.
Like America itself, this delicious dish offers opportunities for both trail-blazing expressions of individuality and respect for past traditions — a real American classic, and for good reason. Its opportunities are endless; it all lies in the pie of the beholder.
Stop by your local Price Chopper today to pick up the ingredients you need to try out your own recipe, or take home one of our premade options — perfect for any patriotic party.
