Best Dutch Apple Pie with a Crumble Topping

There’s something uniquely comforting about the aroma of a pie baking in the oven. When that pie is a Dutch Apple Pie, the scent of warm cinnamon, sweet apples, and buttery streusel is enough to make your whole house feel like home. Unlike a traditional apple pie with a top crust, this Dutch version, also known as an Apple Crumble Pie, boasts a generous, crunchy blanket of streusel topping over a tender, gooey apple filling. It’s the perfect combination of textures and flavors, making it an absolute showstopper for holidays, family dinners, or any occasion that calls for a slice of pure comfort.

This recipe delivers that perfect balance. The filling is sweet and slightly spiced, allowing the flavor of the apples to shine through, while the buttery, pecan-studded streusel provides a satisfying crunch in every bite. It looks impressive, but it’s surprisingly straightforward to assemble. Get ready to fall in love with your new favorite apple pie!

Table of Contents

Why make this recipe

This Dutch Apple Pie is a must-try for so many reasons! Here’s why you’ll love it:

• The Streusel Topping: Let’s be honest, the topping is the star. It’s a buttery, crunchy, cinnamon-sugar and pecan mixture that’s absolutely irresistible.
• Perfectly Tender Filling: The apples are cooked to perfection in a simple, spiced sauce that becomes beautifully thick and bubbly.
• Crowd-Pleaser: It’s a classic dessert that appeals to everyone. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and watch it disappear.
• Easier Than a Double Crust: No need to worry about weaving a lattice or dealing with a top crust. Just pile on that delicious streusel and bake!

Ingredients

• 1 pie crust
• 1½ cups all purpose flour
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¾ cup (1½ sticks) cold butter, (cut into pieces)
• ½ cup chopped pecans
• ¾ cup granulated white sugar
• 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 6 cups peeled and thinly sliced apples
• ¼ cup heavy whipping cream

How to make Dutch Apple Pie

Step 1: First, get your oven and pie dish ready. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Gently press your pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate and flute the edges for a decorative finish. Place a baking sheet lined with foil on a lower oven rack to catch any potential drips later on.

Step 2: Now, let’s make that amazing streusel. In a large bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups of flour, the packed brown sugar, salt, and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon. Add the cold, cubed butter. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it looks like coarse crumbs. Finally, stir in the chopped pecans and set the bowl aside.

Step 3: For the filling, grab another large bowl. Stir together the granulated white sugar, 2 tablespoons of flour, and the remaining ½ teaspoon of cinnamon. Add your peeled and sliced apples to the bowl and toss everything together until the apples are evenly coated in the sugar mixture.

Step 4: Time to assemble! Scrape the apple filling and any accumulated juices into your prepared pie crust. Drizzle the heavy cream evenly over the top of the apples. Then, generously sprinkle the streusel topping over the filling, making sure to cover it completely. Gently pat the streusel down.

Step 5: Place the pie on the rack directly above the foil-lined baking sheet. Bake at 450°F for 15 minutes. Then, reduce the oven temperature to 375°F and continue baking for another 50 to 60 minutes. The filling should be bubbly and the top golden brown. To prevent the streusel from getting too dark, you can loosely cover the pie with a piece of foil for the last 20-30 minutes of baking. Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

How to serve Dutch Apple Pie

The best way to serve Dutch Apple Pie is warm! The contrast between the warm, tender apples and the crunchy topping is simply divine. A classic pairing is a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream melting into the filling. A dollop of fresh whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce also makes for a decadent treat. This pie is perfect as the grand finale to a holiday meal or as a cozy dessert on a crisp autumn evening.

How to store Dutch Apple Pie

To store leftovers, allow the pie to cool completely. You can cover it loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and leave it at room temperature for up to two days. If you need to store it longer, it will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. You can enjoy the leftovers cold, at room temperature, or reheated. To reheat a slice, simply pop it in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes until warmed through.

Tips to make

• Use Cold Butter: For the best streusel, make sure your butter is very cold. This helps create those perfect crumbly, buttery bits rather than a greasy paste.
• Best Apples for Pie: A mix of apples often yields the best flavor and texture. I recommend using firm, tart apples like Granny Smith, which hold their shape well, mixed with a sweeter variety like Honeycrisp or Braeburn.
• Don’t Overmix the Streusel: When cutting in the butter, stop when the mixture still has pea-sized chunks of butter. This ensures a tender, crumbly topping.
• Prevent a Soggy Bottom: Placing the pie on a preheated baking sheet can help the bottom crust cook more quickly and evenly, preventing it from becoming soggy from the juicy apple filling. If you love fruit desserts with a crumble, you must try this Cranberry Apple Crisp.

FAQs About Dutch Apple Pie

What is the difference between a Dutch Apple Pie and a regular apple pie?

The main difference is the topping! A traditional American apple pie has a pastry top crust, which can be solid or a lattice. A Dutch Apple Pie, on the other hand, is topped with a sweet and crunchy streusel or crumble made from flour, sugar, butter, and spices.

Can I make this pie ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the entire pie a day in advance. Let it cool completely and store it covered at room temperature. The streusel will be crunchiest on the first day, but it will still be delicious the next day.

Can I use a store-bought pie crust?

Absolutely! This recipe works perfectly with a store-bought refrigerated or frozen pie crust to save you time and effort. Just be sure to follow the package instructions for pre-baking if required, though for this recipe, an unbaked crust is fine.

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Final Thoughts

This Dutch Apple Pie is a true classic for a reason. It combines the comforting flavors of a traditional apple pie with the irresistible texture of a buttery, crunchy crumble. Every bite is a perfect harmony of sweet, spiced apples and rich, nutty streusel. It’s an elegant dessert that’s simple enough for any home baker to master. If you enjoy fun twists on apple classics, you should also give this incredible Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie a try! I hope this pie brings as much warmth and joy to your table as it does to mine.

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