Few recipes carry the warmth of family tradition quite like apple pie. In the Hammonds family, “Mom’s Apple Pie” is more than a dessert, it is a centerpiece of celebrations, a symbol of home, and a recipe woven into years of Texas memories. Every Fourth of July, the scent of cinnamon, brown sugar, and buttery crust fills the kitchen as this pie makes its annual appearance on the dessert table.

The Hammonds family moved to Austin just one week before their twins started kindergarten and their youngest began preschool. Before they ever packed the moving truck, they already knew where they wanted to plant roots: preschool at Hope and kindergarten at Spicewood Elementary. Now, years later, those same twins are preparing for their senior year at Westwood High School, a reminder of just how quickly family traditions become treasured milestones.

Among those traditions, Mom’s Apple Pie has remained constant. Passed down through generations, the recipe has become a signature dish at family gatherings and neighborhood celebrations. One of the Hammonds daughters even earned top honors at the Sharks Pie Contest many years ago with this very pie.  This is proof that homemade recipes often outshine even the fanciest bakery creations.

What makes this pie memorable is its perfect balance of textures and flavors. Tart Granny Smith apples are tossed in cinnamon and sugar before being tucked into a flaky homemade crust. A buttery crumb topping and delicate lattice crust create a bakery-worthy finish that looks as comforting as it tastes. Served warm with vanilla ice cream melting over the top, it is the kind of dessert that invites people to linger around the table just a little longer.

Ingredients

Stir together flour and salt, then cut in Crisco until mixture is crumbly.

In a separate bowl combine:

Add wet ingredients to flour mixture and combine until dough forms. Refrigerate, covered, while preparing apples.

Ingredients

Combine sugars, flour, and cinnamon. Toss mixture with apples until evenly coated.

Roll out pastry and place in the bottom of a pie dish. Add apple filling.

Ingredients

Mix topping ingredients together until crumbly. Sprinkle over apple filling.

Add lattice strips of pie crust across the top and sprinkle crust lightly with sugar.

Bake at 400°F for 30–35 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbling.