How to Make and Gift Homemade Apple Pie in a Jar

If you love giving homemade gifts, or if you're a DIY enthusiast looking for your next project, here's a charming idea that's sure to delight your friends and family—homemade apple pie in a jar. Not only is it delicious, but it also offers that warm, personal touch that makes any gift special.

What You'll Need

Ingredients:

• 6 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work great)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
• Butter (optional, for extra richness)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepping the Apples

1. Peel and Core - Start by peeling and coring your apples. An apple peeler-corer-slicer tool can make this step faster, but a simple peeler and paring knife will work just fine.
2. Slice - Thinly slice the apples to ensure they fit well into the jars and cook evenly.

Step 2: Mix the Filling

1. Combine Dry Ingredients - In a large mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt.
2. Add Apples - Toss the apple slices in the dry mixture until evenly coated.
3. Add Lemon Juice - Drizzle the lemon juice over the mixture and toss to combine. The lemon juice adds a bit of tang and prevents the apples from browning.

Step 3: Prepare the Jars

1. Preheat the Oven - Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Add Pie Crust - Roll out your pie crust and cut it into circles slightly larger than the jar lids. Line the bottoms and sides of the jars with the pastry, pressing gently to fit.
3. Fill Jars - Spoon the apple filling into each jar, filling it almost to the top. Add a small pat of butter on top of the filling if you like extra richness. Add caramel chips for an even better taste!

Step 4: Top and Seal

1. Top Crust - Cut additional circles or strips from the pie crust to create a lattice or solid top. Place these over the filling.
2. Seal - Press the edges of the top crust against the sides of the jar, sealing them well.
3. Brush and Vent - Brush the tops with a bit of water or egg wash and make small slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.

Step 5: Bake

1. Bake - Place the jars on a baking sheet (to catch any spills) and bake in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
2. Cool - Allow the jars to cool completely before sealing them with the lids.

Gifting Your Apple Pie in a Jar

1. Decorate - Once the jars are cool, you can decorate them with ribbons, fabric squares under the lid ring, or personalized labels.
2. Add Instructions - Attach a small tag with serving instructions. Something like, "Enjoy warm or chilled. For a fresh-from-the-oven experience, reheat for 10 minutes at 350°F."

Homemade apple pie in a jar makes a delightful and heartfelt gift for any occasion. Each bite carries the love and effort you put into creating it. Whether you're an experienced baker or a DIY newbie, this project is both fun and rewarding.