What Are the Best Apples for Apple Pie?

Q.

Apple pie: a tradition, an institution. I’m making the same one my grandma made, I grew up with my mother making, and now I make, except I have had trouble the past few years finding the Macintosh apples that were to go-to for three generations of pies.

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What would be a good substitute? Granny Smiths, which many recipes recommend, seem too firm and not mellow enough to one who grew up on the smushy tart deliciousness of a Macintosh pie. — Erica, Los Angeles

A.

Melissa Clark answers:

Video

What Are the Best Apples for Apple Pie?

In preparation for Thanksgiving, Melissa Clark on what apples are best to use in pie.

By David Frank on Publish Date November 15, 2011.

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