The Filling

STEP 1 Slice peeled apples thinly. Thin slices of similar size compact better and cook more evenly. Sweet apples soften more so you can cut them a little thicker than firm apples if you’re combining varieties. Combine in a very large bowl with lemon juice. Combine dry ingredients in another bowl.

STEP 2 Sprinkle in sugar mixture while gently tossing apples with a spatula to coat apple slices evenly. Avoid breaking up the apples.

STEP 3 Pour about onethird of apples into chilled (unbaked) bottom crust. Using your hands, gently arrange and press apples to fit them snugly with as few gaps as possible. Repeat in two more additions. They should be compact and slightly mounded. Set aside while rolling top crust.