Disney’s Apple Pie Recipe from Whispering Canyon Café Is Unlike Any You’ve Ever Tried

Few things hit the spot like a slice of freshly-baked pie topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. But Disney’s take on apple pie is especially magical. Nope, not because it’s from the happiest place on earth. But because it’s basically a—wait for it—pie-cake hybrid.

Made famous by Whispering Canyon Café located in Disney World’s Wilderness Lodge, this pie blows your grandma’s wayyy out of the water. (Don’t worry, we won’t tell her.) It’s loaded with tart Granny Smiths, one of our favorite apples for baking. In addition to a buttery, crumbly pie crust, the recipe calls for a batter that transforms into a cake-like top layer when baked. Hungry yet? Good. Because we’ve got the full recipe right here.

For the crust

• 4 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
• ¼ cup shortening
• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 4 teaspoons sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1/3 cup milk

For the apple filling

• 1 cup water
• 6 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
• 2 teaspoons apple pie spice

For the batter

• ½ cup butter, softened
• ⅔ cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1½ cups flour
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup heavy cream

Step 1: Make the pie crust. Combine butter, shortening, flour, sugar and salt in a bowl or electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix at medium speed until crumbly.

Step 2: Add milk and mix until incorporated.

Step 3: Wrap dough in plastic wrap and rest in refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Step 4: Roll to ¼-inch thickness and place in 9-inch pie plate. Set aside

Step 5: Make the apple filling. Bring water to a simmer in a large pot.

Step 6: Place apples in a steamer basket and add to pot. Steam for 10 minutes. Remove from water.

Step 7: Cool to room temperature and toss with apple pie spice.

Step 8: Make the batter. Cream butter and sugar in a bowl or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until fluffy. Add eggs and mix until just incorporated.

Step 9: Mix flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl. Slowly add to the mixer and beat on medium speed until combined.

Step 10: Add cream and mix until smooth. Set aside until ready to bake.

Step 11: Make the pie. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place ½ cup apple pie batter on top of pie crust, spread until smooth. Top with apples and remaining apple pie batter.

Step 12: Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake 20 more minutes until golden brown.

Step 13: Cool to room temperature before serving. If desired, top pie with sliced almonds and dust with confectioners’ sugar once cooled.