Dutch Apple Crumble Pie Recipe

I absolutely love how this Dutch Apple Crumble Pie Recipe manages to combine the best of both worlds — a tender, flaky pie crust filled with perfectly spiced, tender apples, all topped with a golden, buttery crumble that adds the perfect crunch. It’s one of those recipes that feels just right for cozy autumn afternoons or holiday dinners when you want to impress but not stress. You’ll find that the balance of tart and sweet apples paired with warm spices and that irresistible crumble topping makes this pie worth every minute spent in the kitchen.

When I first tried this recipe, I was amazed at how the crumble elevates the traditional apple pie into something truly special and comforting. What’s great is it’s also pretty forgiving — perfect if you’re still building confidence with fruit pies like I was. If you’re looking for a pie to serve at Sunday brunch, family gatherings, or even for a casual dessert night, this Dutch Apple Crumble Pie Recipe is a fantastic go-to that’s bound to become a new favorite in your collection.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Dutch Apple Crumble Pie Recipe plays an important role — from the tartness of fresh lemon juice that keeps apples bright, to the mix of sugars in both filling and crumble for the ultimate depth of flavor. When shopping, look for firm apples for slicing and quality butter to make your crumble rich and golden.

• Homemade single pie crust: A homemade crust will always give you a flakier, more satisfying base than store-bought.
• Lemon zest and juice: Adds brightness and prevents the apples from browning while prepping.
• Apples: Use a mix like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Golden Delicious for a complex and balanced flavor.
• Brown sugar and granulated sugar: Provide caramel notes and sweetness in both the filling and crumble.
• All-purpose flour: Helps thicken the filling and forms the crumbly topping base.
• Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors without overpowering.
• Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom: A warm, cozy spice trio that turns this pie into an aromatic treat.
• Vanilla: Adds subtle sweetness and depth to the filling.
• Butter: Melted for the crumble; makes it beautifully rich and crisp.

Variations

I love how adaptable this Dutch Apple Crumble Pie Recipe is — you can easily swap things depending on what’s in season or your personal preferences. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different apple varieties or even nut additions in the crumble for extra texture.

• Apple varieties substitution: Sometimes I replace part of the mix with Bramley or Pink Lady apples for a bit more tartness, and it works beautifully.
• Gluten-free crumble: I’ve tried using almond flour instead of all-purpose flour for the crumble. It creates a lovely nutty topping that’s perfect if you want to avoid gluten.
• Vegan adaptation: Swap the butter in the crumble for a plant-based alternative and use a vegan pie crust for an equally delicious vegan Dutch apple pie.
• Extra crunch: Toasted walnuts or pecans mixed into the crumble elevate the texture — my family goes crazy for this tweak!

How to Make Dutch Apple Crumble Pie Recipe

Step 1: Selecting and Preparing Your Apples

For this recipe, I use about 5 pounds of apples – that’s roughly 11 large ones. The magic comes from mixing tart Granny Smiths, sweet Honeycrisps, and mellow Golden Delicious apples. Peel and slice each apple thinly (about 1/8 inch thick), peeling and slicing one apple at a time to keep everything fresh and prevent browning. Toss the slices into a skillet with lemon juice and zest which brightens the filling and keeps those apples from turning brown while you work.

Step 2: Cooking the Apple Filling

Turn the skillet over medium heat and gently mix in the brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, salt, and warming spices. Cover with a lid and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring every 3 minutes or so to keep the apples from sticking and to develop that perfect tender-but-not-mushy texture. This step really brings out the apple flavor and sweet caramel notes in the juices — trust me, tasting here is key!

Step 3: Chilling the Filling and Preparing Crust

Once the apples are cooked perfectly, remove from heat and stir in vanilla for that extra flavor dimension. Transfer the whole filling along with the syrupy juices onto a rimmed half-sheet pan to cool completely. Meanwhile, roll out your homemade pie dough into a 9-inch dish, tuck the edges under, and crimp them. Chilling both the crust and the filling in the fridge or freezer for about 30 minutes gives you a flakier crust and easier assembly.

Step 4: Making the Crumble Topping

Mix your dry ingredients — flour, sugars, and salt — then stir in melted butter until the mixture looks sandy with some nice clumps. This topping is what takes the pie from traditional to extraordinary. Pop it in the fridge while you prepare the rest. Just a heads up: it’s really tempting to snack on, so try to save some for the pie!

Step 5: Assembling and Baking the Pie

Once the filling and crust are chilled, scoop all that gorgeous filling into the pie shell, making sure to include all the sticky juices. Gently sprinkle 1 to 2 cups of crumble over the apples, reserving the rest for later. Bake at 425°F on a preheated baking sheet for 15 minutes to jump-start crust browning, then reduce the oven to 350°F without removing the pie. After 10 minutes at 350°F, pull the pie out briefly to crumble the remaining topping evenly over the pie. Protect the crust edges with a foil shield to prevent burning, then bake another 25-35 minutes, until your crumble is golden and the crust edges are perfectly browned.

Step 6: Cooling and Serving

This part takes patience — let the pie cool completely for about 4 hours before slicing. I know waiting is hard, but trust me, the filling sets perfectly and the crumble topping stays crisp instead of soggy. When you’re ready, slice generously and consider serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce — both make it absolutely divine.

How to Serve Dutch Apple Crumble Pie Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a huge fan of serving this pie with a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream — it adds that cool contrast to the warm, spiced apples. Draping a little homemade or store-bought caramel sauce on top really takes it over the edge, especially if you like your desserts rich. Freshly whipped cream with a sprinkle of cinnamon also pairs beautifully when you want something lighter.

Side Dishes

If you’re serving this at a holiday or brunch, I love pairing the pie with a simple green salad dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette — it balances richness nicely. Warm spiced tea, fresh coffee, or a crisp apple cider are my go-to drinks alongside a slice for that cozy vibe.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive touch, I sometimes dust the top crumble with powdered sugar just before serving to make it look like a dusting of freshly fallen autumn snow. For gatherings, serving individual slices in pretty glass dessert bowls with extra crumble crumbled on top adds a wonderful rustic-chic presentation. You can even add a cinnamon stick as a garnish alongside the ice cream for that photo-worthy moment.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually cover leftover pie tightly with plastic wrap or foil and keep it on the counter for the first two days. It holds together nicely without the crust getting soggy. After that, I move it to the fridge where it keeps well for up to 5 days — just bring it to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.

Freezing

This pie freezes beautifully! I recommend freezing it fully baked and cooled. Wrap it tightly in foil and place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready, thaw it overnight in the fridge, then warm gently in the oven to refresh the crust and crumble topping.

Reheating

To bring leftovers back to life, I reheat slices in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes — you get that lovely warmth and crisp topping again without drying it out. Avoid microwaving since that can make the crust soggy and the crumble chewy.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

There’s something about this Dutch Apple Crumble Pie Recipe that feels like a warm hug in pie form — hearty apples, tender crust, and a sweet crunchy topping that just can’t be beat. I love sharing it with friends and family because it’s reliably delicious and creates those happy “wow” moments after the first bite. Give yourself the gift of some kitchen joy and try it out; I think you’ll find it becomes your new classic too.

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