Caramelizing the apples a bit before adding them to the pie can make a difference. Also, sprinkle some coarse sugar on the crust right before baking. Gives it a nice crunch!

Got a crispy crust tip for ya! Use a little apple cider vinegar in the dough mix, trust me, it's the bomb. Makes it tender and flaky. Can't help with the filling tho, sorry!

Old-timer here. For a truly crispy crust, make sure your water for the dough is ice cold and handle the dough as little as possible to keep the fat from melting. As for the spice, try mace, which is the outer covering of the nutmeg seed. It's subtler than nutmeg and might just be that secret spice your grandma used.

hey everyone! newbie here 🍰 just wanna say i tried adding allspice to my apple pie last week and it was a game-changer! could that be the mystery ingredient?

lol, maybe the secret ingredient was love? Jokes aside, maybe she spiked it with a bit of bourbon? Makes everything better if you ask me 😉

This might sound strange, but have you tried a bit of ground ginger in the filling? Also, a mix of different types of apples can change the flavor profile significantly. Maybe that's the secret you're missing. Granny Smiths for tartness and some Honeycrisp for sweetness—perfect combo!

Sounds like you're searching for that unique 'grandma touch' which can be tough to replicate. An often overlooked spice is cardamom, which can add a wonderful depth to apple pie. Also, consider a dash of lemon zest in the filling. It's amazing how it lifts the flavor. For the crust, try using a combo of butter and shortening to get that flaky yet sturdy texture. Good luck and hope you find the taste you're looking for!

Can't count the number of pies I've judged over the years. One of the most memorable had a bit of star anise. You'd be surprised how it complements the apple and cinnamon. Use sparingly though, that stuff is strong!