Before you even think about mixing ingredients, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). This initial step helps ensure your pie bakes evenly and produces that beautiful golden crust.

Start by peeling and slicing your Granny Smith apples. Aim for thin slices, as they will cook down beautifully. In a large bowl, combine the apple slices with granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss until the apples are well coated. This mixture will form the luscious filling of our pie.

Open your box of Betty Crocker Flaky Pie Crust Mix. It’s so straightforward. Simply follow the instructions on the box. You’ll add ⅓ cup of ice-cold water and mix until the dough comes together. Divide the dough into two halves; one for the bottom crust and one for the top.

Flour your work surface and roll out the first half of the dough into a circle. It should be about 12 inches in diameter. Gently place this crust into a 9-inch pie pan, making sure it fits snugly.

Pour the apple mixture into the pie crust, making sure it’s evenly distributed. This is where you can get a little fancy, piling up the apples to create a satisfying mound!

Dot the filling with cubes of unsalted butter. These little nuggets will melt and enrich your pie’s flavor.

Roll out the second half of the dough. If you like, you can cut slits in the top crust to create a lattice effect or keep it simple with a solid top. Ensure you seal the edges, crimping them to create a decorative border.

Give the top crust a splash of milk to help it brown, and sprinkle the coarse sugar on top for that crispy finish.

Pop your pie into the preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the crust has turned a beautiful golden-brown color, and you can see the filling bubbling through the slits on top.

Let your pie cool for at least 2 hours before slicing. This cooling step allows the filling to set, making sure each slice holds together beautifully.