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Apple Crumb Pie

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Apple Crumb Pie is what life is all about. Sweet, cinnamon, buttery goodness all makes the perfect dessert all year round! No need to mess with a double crust pie. This one is easy!

 

Main image for recipe of pie on a plate.

 

This is the pie. I mean THE pie. The pie that gets made every year without fail and gets requested over and over again. Plus, this pie that gets devoured before every other pie.

This is it. Apple crumb pie is everything you want in a pie. And so much more. You’re familiar with traditional apple pie with a homemade pie crust.

This fruit pie is made with a single crust and a crumb topping, which adds a texture and flavor to every bite.

Now I love the Swedish Apple Pie or the Apple Pie Cupcakes, and they all pop up on my table now and again.

But I can promise, once you try this crumb crust apple pie, there’s just no comparison. Would it be a stretch to say it’s the best apple crumb pie recipe? No, it wouldn’t be.

Made using all pantry ingredients, it’s one you don’t even have to run to the store for. Plus this apple crumb pie recipe with crumb topping can easily be made ahead of time. Which is perfect for those busy Thanksgivings!

Homemade apple crumb pie is a favorite dessert of mine personally especially if made with my own pie crust recipe. I love this so much that I could eat and entire pie in a matter of 24 hours if given the chance.

And it’s great if made with homemade Flaky Butter Crust or store bought! You choose!

 

Baked Pie ready to be sliced into.

 

What Ingredients are in Apple Crumb Pie?

For the Filling:

  • Apples: Use firm tart apples such as granny smith apples so the apples don’t turn to mush and cut them into apple slices.
  • Lemon Juice: This helps keep the apples from turning brown and adds a nice flavor too.
  • Butter: I used salted butter and found I didn’t need any extra salt in the filling. If you use unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt to your filling.
  • Sugar: Use plain white sugar for best results.
  • Cinnamon: Cinnamon is really the flavor of the whole dish. That and apples of course.
  • Water: Feel free to substitute the water with apple juice for more flavor.
  • Cornstarch: The cornstarch helps to thicken the apple crumb pie filling.
  • Applesauce: The secret ingredient! If you haven’t used applesauce in apple pie before, you’ll love it!

Pro Tips:

  • Try to cut all the apples to about the same size. This helps them cook more evenly.
  • Use an apple corer/peeler to save you time and energy!
  • For exact measurements, scroll down to the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

For the Crumble Topping:

  • Flour: Use all purpose flour. Other flours will drastically change the flavor and texture.
  • Sugar: You’ll need both white sugar and brown sugar for a yummy crumb topping.
  • Butter: Cut the butter into small pieces for easy mixing.
  • Salt: You’ll not want to skip this as it helps bring out the flavors of the rest.

 

zoomed in view of baked pie

 

How to Make an Apple Pie with Crumb Topping

  1. Prepare Crust: Get your store bought or homemade flaky pie crust ready in the pie plate.
  2. Cook Apples: You’ll cook the apple mixture until they reach the consistency you desire. Then thicken with cornstarch and applesauce.
  3. Cool Apples: Allowing the spiced apples to cool ensures they won’t get overcooked in the oven.
  4. Mix Crumb Topping: In a medium bowl, use a pastry blender or your fingertips to get the right consistency of coarse crumbs.
  5. Combine: Layer the apple pie filling on the pie crust and then top with crumb topping.
  6. Cook: The crumb topping and pie crust should both be a beautiful golden brown.

Pro Tips:

  • If not cooking the same day, don’t prepare the flaky crust until the day of.
  • Use a parchment lined baking sheet beneath the pie pan to prevent spills.
  • Serve with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream for ultimate flavor enhancement.

 

pie sliced into, showing off inside slices

 

Does Apple Crumb Pie Need Refrigeration?

Apple pie with crumb topping can be left on the counter, covered for up to 24 hours. If you think it will take you longer than that to eat it, it’s safest to keep it in the fridge.

As always, wait to cover until the pie has cooled completely to prevent condensation.

What Apples to use in Apple Crumb Pie?

There are a variety of fresh apples at the store these days. Pink Lady, Golden Delicious, Honey Crisp and Granny Smith just to name a few.

But what apple should you choose? When it comes to baking apples that will soften but keep their shape, you need a firm apple, and not a soft one.

The other thing you should keep in mind is that you’ll be adding sugar to your apple. If you choose a sweeter apple, you’ll just make it even sweeter with the addition of sugar.

For these two main reasons, it’s best to use Granny Smith Apples. Granny Smith are firm and tart. So they’ll hold their shape and paired with a little extra sugar from the pie, wont be overly sweet.

Pro Tip: Always choose Green Granny Smith Apples that have lots of spots on them. These tend to be the ‘sweetest’ apples. But don’t be fooled, they’ll still be tart if eaten on their own.

 

slice of pie on a plate - side view.

 

How Do I Make Crumb Topping for Apple Pie?

Making a crumb topping for apple pie is pretty simple!

If your butter is cut into small squares, it’s very easy to use your fingers, though a pastry cutter is less messy. You’ll want to keep mixing until the crumb topping holds together in small pieces.

The crumb topping should be about the size of peas. If the crumb topping is still powdery, it hasn’t been mixed long enough.

How Long to Bake an Apple Crumb Pie

An apple crumble pie will take about 40 minutes in the oven. Be sure the oven is preheated or you’ll definitely burn the pie.

If you notice the topping turning brown too quickly, lightly cover with aluminum foil and it’ll stop it.

 

slice of pie on a plate - front view.

 

Can You Make Apple Pie with Crumb Topping in Advance?

You sure can! There are a few different ways to make apple crumb pie in advance. You’ll want to pick the best one for you based on how soon you’ll be eating it.

  • 1-3 Days: 
  • If you’re consuming it soon, simply make all the ingredients and keep them separate in the fridge.
  • Then when you’re ready to eat, simply combine and bake as usual.
  • More than 3 Days:
  • If you’re waiting a while, I recommend freezing the apple crumb pie.
  • Combine all the ingredients as if you were going to cook it now.
  • Then wrap tightly twice to prevent air from causing freezer burn.
  • Your frozen apple pie can be kept in the freezer for up to three months.

 

slice of pie on a plate - top view

 

How to Bake a Frozen Apple Crumb Pie

If baking an uncooked frozen apple pie with crumb topping, follow these directions.

  1. Do not thaw to prevent the bottom crust from getting soggy.
  2. Cover the apple pie with aluminum foil.
  3. Preheat the oven to 350 and bake for 40 minutes.
  4. Remove the foil and continue to bake for about another 40 minutes until the crumb topping has browned.

Pro Tip: 

  • Write the directions for cooking on the frozen apple crumb pie. Then you don’t have to look for them later.

 

a fork full of pie

 

More Apple Recipes You’ll Love…

Apple Crumb Pie is going to be one you and your guests rave about. Perfectly spiced and cooked apples, delicious crumb topping, flaky buttery crust it not only makes for a perfect fall dessert, but an all year dessert. What more could you ask for?!

 

Yield: 1 pie

Apple Crumb Pie

a fork full of pie

This Apple Crumb Pie is one of my favorite pies. This single crust pie is topped with a crumbly buttery mixture that ads flavor to every bite. For busy holidays I recommend making the filling ahead of time and then baking the pie the day of! Easy, delicious and a crowd pleaser!

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 10 Granny smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced into medium slices.
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons butter {I use salted}
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons water or apple juice
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup applesauce (1 individual serving sized cups is perfect!)

Crumb Topping

  • 3/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 6 Tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. If using crust the same day, roll out and prepare a deep dish pie pan.
  2. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  3. In a medium bowl, toss apples and lemon juice together to prevent apples from browning.
  4. In a heavy large DEEP skillet or dutch oven, melt butter over medium-high heat.
  5. Stir in sugar and cinnamon.
  6. Add apples to sugar mixture.
  7. Sauté until coated with cinnamon butter and tender, about 20 minutes. This is the time to get the apples to the perfect consistency. If you like your apples slightly crisp in your pie, then cook them to your preferred crispness. If you like tender apples, cook them longer until limp and tender. Right now is the time to cook them to the EXACT consistency you want.
  8. Whisk water and cornstarch in small bowl. Add to apples.
  9. Bring apple mixture to boil, stirring constantly. Apple mixture should thicken.
  10. Remove skillet from hot burner and mix in applesauce.
  11. Allow apples cool for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 - 15 minutes. {If doing the mixture the day before, place in a bowl with a lid and refrigerate overnight until ready to use.}
  12. When ready to bake preheat oven to 350*F,
  13. Pour apple mixture into a prepared deep dish pie plate.
  14. Using a pastry blender, or fingertips, combine flour, sugar, brown sugar, butter and salt for crumb topping.
  15. Heavily sprinkle crumb topping over apples. Try to get as much of the crumb topping onto the apples.
  16. Bake for 40 minutes or until topping is golden.
  17. Serve immediately with vanilla ice cream or let cool and serve room temperature with vanilla ice cream.

Notes

Nutritional Information is estimated, not exact.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

9

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 192Total Fat: 3.7gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 26mgCarbohydrates: 43.5gFiber: 6.2gSugar: 33.9gProtein: 0.7g

Recipe Adapted from Epicurious

Originally Posted: December 19, 2014

Photos & Text Updated: November 20, 2018

Text Updated: April 29, 2022

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