No one can resist this sweet, buttery, streusel-topped Dutch Apple pie! This easy recipe always comes out just right with a lavish layer of crumble ,over tender autumn spiced apples. If you’ve wondered how to make that perfectly crumbly crumb topping you’ll find the secret right here.
For this recipe you’ll need: unbaked pie crust, apples, sugar, flour, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, lemon juice, butter, brown sugar
Table of Contents
Dutch Apple Pie Recipe FAQs
Here are the most commonly asked questions about this recipe. If you don’t find the answer to yours here leave a comment below or email me – I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!
Experience level: Easy
What is the difference between a Dutch apple pie and an apple pie?
The main difference between a Dutch apple pie and a regular apple pie is the topping. An apple pie usually has a pastry crust on top but a Dutch apple pie is covered with a crumbly streusel made of butter, flour, sugar, cinnamon, and sometimes nuts or oatmeal.
Is Dutch apple pie really Dutch?
Well… it’s Dutch because it became popular with the Pennsylvania Dutch but it likely is a variation of a French apple pie.
How do you make crumb topping for apple pie?
You can make it by hand or with a food processor. If you make it with a food processor be careful not to over blend it. At the most basic you blend flour, sugar, and butter with your fingers until it becomes crumbly – be sure it’s not too wet. Sprinkle that over your apple pie filling before baking. Some people add chopped nuts, oatmeal, cinnamon, or other spices as well.
What are the best apples for apple pie?
The flavor is definitely dependent on the apples! I like to use a combination of apples to get the most flavor. Choose a mixture from the following varieties:
- HoneyCrisp
- MacIntosh
- Granny Smith
- Braeburn
- Winesap
- Jonathon
- Jazz
How do you reheat an apple pie?
Put it in the oven at 350F for about 10 to 15 minutes. It’s just that easy!
How do you know when Dutch apple pie is done?
The apples will be tender if you stick a knife into them and you’ll see the filling bubbling up through the streusel.
What Kind of Apples to Use
The crumble topping, meltingly tender apples, and all of that cinnamon flavor call me from where ever I am to take one. more. bite. I just can’t resist a good Dutch Apple pie!
But, let’s face it, some apple pies have much more flavor than others. The trick to all of that flavor is a combination of apples rather than using just one type.
Use whatever tangy apples you have available. I personally like a mixture of Honey Crisp, Pink Lady, Braeburn, and Granny Smith.
Experiment with combinations to find the perfect one for your tastes and then be sure to write it down!
You can certainly use all one type of apple for an apple pie recipe but the flavor is a little more flat and “eh”. I promise you, if you’re looking for a pie that will win a blue ribbon at the state fair you want to use a mixture of apples.
I even like to use a combination of apples in desserts like this Apple Whisky Bundt cake. It really makes a difference!
Find more information about the different flavors of apple varieties in this article from the University of Illinois
How to Make Streusel Topping
Have you ever made a streusel (crumble) topping and had it flatten out in the oven? Yep, me too. Here are some tips to ensure that that never happens again!
- Use ice cold butter. Cube it and put it in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it.
- Mix your dry ingredients together and then add the butter, squeezing it and blending it in with your fingers.
- Continue to blend the butter cubes into the dry ingredients until it forms a solid mass that crumbles apart when you squeeze it a little.
- Experiment with spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger to see if you like a little spice in there. I have been known to add a pinch of chipotle.
- Finely chop pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, or old fashioned oats to add in with the dry ingredients.
- Once you’ve made the streusel pop it in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes before adding it to the top of the pie.
- Once the crumble topping is on the pie bake it immediately.
You Might Need…
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What’s new? A brand new store full of things to help you make the recipes, celebrate the days, and create the memories! Check out Restless Chipotle & Co. As always, thanks so much for being a part of Restless Chipotle!
I love enamelware. It fits perfectly with my retro 1930s kind of country kitschy style. This enamelware pie plate is likely to last forever so it’s a good thing it’s pretty! They do have it in other colors.
More Old Fashioned Pie Recipes
Who doesn’t love pie? Here are some of my favorite pie recipes –
- Red Hots Candy Apple Pie – Cinnamon and spice plus a gorgeous crimson color! Perfect for the holidays. If you like Red Hots candy you’ll love this.
- Swedish Apple Pie – Similar to this recipe but the crumble is different and there’s bright citrus in the filling.
- Bourbon Apple Pandowdy – A Pandowdy is kind of like a pie and a cobbler mixed together… but different, too. This one is baked in an iron skillet.
- 50 Best Pie Recipes – You seriously need this list. It has every pie you could ever think of and a few you probably never heard of! I’m trying to bake my way through it!
- Orange Bourbon Pecan Pie – Someone told me this smells just like Christmas when it bakes – as far as I know this is a Restless Chipotle Original.
- Fresh Strawberry Pie – Anyone remember Shoney’s?
Dutch Apple Pie Recipe
I love this apple pie! It makes the house smell so good – there’s no candle that can match it. Give my favorite Dutch Apple pie a try and see if you don’t love it as much as I do.
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars!
Dutch Apple Pie Recipe
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Ingredients
Pie
- 1 inch unbaked 9- pie crust – chilled
- 8 cups sliced cored peeled apples, a mixture of granny smith, honey crisp,pink lady, etc works best
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar or lemon juice, adds more flavor
Topping
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, , diced and chilled
- 1 cup flour
- 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- Pinch Salt
Instructions
Pie
- Heat oven to 400°F.
- On a floured surface roll dough into a circle roughly 2 inches bigger than a 9-inch pie plate.
- Place the pastry in the pie plate, pressing down slightly.
- Put the pastry lined pie plate in the freezer while preparing apples.
- In a large bowl toss the apples and everything else that remains except the topping ingredients.
- Remove the pie plate from the freezer. Spoon apple mixture into the pastry lined pie plate, mounding the apples up in the center.
Crumb Topping
- Use your fingers to mix the butter, flour, brown sugar, and salt until it is a mass that crumbles when you squeeze it.
- Sprinkle it on top of the filled pie.
- Sprinkle with the 2 tablespoons of sugar.
- Bake 40 to 55 minutes or until pie crust and crumb topping are deep golden brown and filling begins to bubble.
- Transfer to cooling rack to cool before serving.
Notes
What are the best apples for pie?
The flavor of any apple pie is definitely dependent on the apples! Use a combination of sweet and tangy apples to get the most flavor. Choose a mixture from the following varieties:- HoneyCrisp
- MacIntosh
- Granny Smith
- Braeburn
- Winesap
- Jonathon
- Jazz
Nutrition
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LaurieLynn
I made this today. I am always on the lookout for different pie recipes. So I am excited to have found this from Pinterest 🙂
I ran out of ACV and I thought I had lemons so I didn’t pick any up at the store (it’s a 30 minute drive and I wasn’t about to go back). So I improvised. I had some lemon lime soda and I put the apples in that while I was peeling and slicing. Kept them from turning brown and that’s what I wanted!
My house smells so amazing and I have to keep watch so the teenagers and husband don’t sneak a bite! I cannot wait to have this for breakfast tomorrow morning. Yes, we eat apple pie for breakfast the morning of Thanksgiving. I would love to say it’s some family tradition from growing up but it isn’t. We are just greedy and cannot wait until after we wake up from the turkey coma.
Sarah
I appreciate having a “jump to recipe” button. Makes it easier to find what I’m looking for. Thanks!
Megan
Can you make ahead, day before and keep in refrigerator to bake next day?
Marye Audet
yes. 🙂
Shannon
Oh, Marye – this is now my very favorite Apple Pie recipe! It is absolutely perfect. Thank you!
Marye Audet
I’m so glad you like it! 🙂 It’s one of my favorites, too.
Catherine
Dear Marye, This pie looks absolutely splendid. I love the crunchy topping…such a beautiful holiday dessert. Wishing you and yours a beautiful holiday and New Year!
Marye Audet
thank you!