Right now we’re making a variation of basic apple pie, however as a substitute of a prime crust, we’re piling on a thick, buttery brown sugar crumble. This apple crumble pie is the definition of fall consolation, and also you don’t must fuss with an ornamental pie crust on prime.
I initially revealed this recipe in 2015 and have since added new photographs and some extra success suggestions.
Right now we’re giving basic apple pie a twist—similar cozy flavors, however as a substitute of a prime crust, we’re piling on a thick, buttery brown-sugar crumble. This apple crumble pie is pure fall consolation, and bonus: no must fuss with an ornamental prime crust.
Selfmade pie is my all-time favourite dessert, and should you’ve made my basic apple pie earlier than, this one will really feel very acquainted: heat spices, a mountain of apples, and a buttery crust… just a bit simpler, because of that crumble topping.
This model captures every little thing you like a couple of conventional double-crust apple pie, however with a crunchy-tender walnut crumble topping that makes it particularly excellent to your Thanksgiving unfold.
Right now’s Apple Crumble Pie:
- Has a buttery, flaky crust
- Has a wealthy apple filling that’s juicy, compact, candy, and cinnamon-spiced
- Is topped with a brown-sugary, buttery, toasty walnut crumble
- Is the right spot for vanilla ice cream
…and most of all, it’s the most effective model I do know!
Right here’s every little thing it is advisable to get began:
Begin by Making the Pie Dough
Begin with the all-butter pie dough. The recipe under makes 1 single crust, so it’s excellent for at this time’s pie, after we are doing a crumble on prime as a substitute of latticing a second crust on prime like we do with this salted caramel apple pie.
It’s buttery, flaky, and durable sufficient to carry all these juicy apples. You can too use 1 of the crusts from my flaky pie crust recipe as a substitute (that recipe yields 2 crusts). I just like the model under as a result of it yields *barely* extra dough for a single-crust pie. Numerous dough to work with to flute that fairly edge. It’s really what I exploit once I make an apple galette.
Make the dough, then chill it earlier than rolling it out and including the filling.
Crumble Topping
Whereas the dough is chilling, make the crumble topping. You need the crumble topping to additionally chill within the fridge a bit to agency up, so the crumbs maintain their form within the oven.
The crumble could look humble, nevertheless it’s actually the star right here. Brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, melted butter, and walnuts… easy pantry components that bake into one thing extraordinary!
The walnuts toast within the oven because the pie bakes, including a heat, nutty crunch that contrasts fantastically with the comfortable apple filling. For those who desire to skip nuts, use the crumble topping from my apple cranberry crumble pie as a substitute.
Stir the dry components collectively after which pour melted butter on prime. Combine till it seems thick and crumbly—not moist, not sandy. Similar to this:
As soon as your pie dough has chilled for at the very least 2 hours, roll out the crust and tuck it right into a 9-inch pie dish. Flute or crimp the pie dough edges. See my full tips on how to flute pie crust tutorial for all the main points.
Brush the sides of the crust with egg wash (simply an egg overwhelmed along with a little bit milk), which is vital for the crust to develop that lovely golden sheen when it bakes. Refrigerate the formed crust whilst you make the filling.
Apple Pie Filling
That is the simplest half. It’s such a easy, basic combine: apples, lemon juice, sugar, flour, spices, and a little bit of vanilla for further taste.
I all the time use quite a lot of apples for the most effective taste. A tart apple like Granny Smith blended with a sweeter one like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Pink Woman. That stability of tart and candy delivers excellent apple pie taste in each chew. Here’s a full record of the most effective apples for baking.
My #1 tip: Ensure that your apple slices are across the similar thickness. You don’t need some tremendous thick apples (that received’t actually prepare dinner) and a few tremendous skinny apples (that can develop into mushy). Purpose for round 1/4-inch thickness.
Even slices imply tender apples with simply the correct quantity of chew.
Stir every little thing collectively, then spoon it into the crust, attempting to verify there aren’t any huge gaps between all of the apple slices:
Add the chilly crumble topping. It’ll seem to be an absolute mountain of topping, nevertheless it bakes down completely:
One thing you’ll discover in regards to the baking directions for this apple crumble pie: start baking at a better oven temperature. Placing a pie into a really, highly regarded oven helps the crust brown. After 20 minutes or so, scale back the temperature. This permits the pie’s filling to prepare dinner completely earlier than the crust burns.
How Do I Know When Apple Crumble Pie Is Executed?
A visible cue is useful when figuring out the pie’s doneness. If the crust is golden, and the filling is effervescent up across the edges, the apple crumble pie is completed. If you wish to be exact, the interior temperature of the filling taken with an instant-read thermometer ought to be round 200°F (93°C) when carried out.
Earlier than digging in, you’ll should let the pie settle down. The longer you let apple pie cool, the extra the filling will set. I like to recommend cooling for at the very least 3 full hours earlier than slicing and serving. I do know, it’s almost unimaginable to attend!
Searching for an apple pie-like deal with in a fraction of the time? Strive my apple crisp, apple cobbler, or apple galette as a substitute.
Description
This can be a variation of basic apple pie, however as a substitute of a prime crust, we’re piling on a thick, buttery brown sugar crumble. This apple crumble pie is the definition of fall consolation, and also you don’t must fuss with an ornamental pie crust on prime. Ensure that to sit back every part as directed. Chilly pie dough and a chilly crumble topping maintain their form significantly better throughout baking.
Crust
- 1 and 1/2 cups (188g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), plus extra for work floor
- 1 Tablespoon (12g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) chilly unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/4 cup (60g/ml) ice-cold water, plus extra as wanted
- egg wash: 1 giant egg overwhelmed with 1 Tablespoon (15g/ml) milk
Crumble Topping
- 1/2 cup (100g) packed gentle or darkish brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon floor cinnamon
- 3/4 cup (94g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 3/4 cup (95g) chopped walnuts
- 5 Tablespoons (71g) unsalted butter, melted and barely cooled
Filling
- 10 cups (1.25kg) 1/4-inch-thick apple slices (about 8 giant peeled and cored apples)*
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (31g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1 Tablespoon (15g/ml) contemporary lemon juice
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons floor cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon floor cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon floor nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Make the pie dough for the crust: In a medium bowl, whisk collectively the flour, sugar, and salt. Utilizing a pastry cutter or 2 forks, minimize within the butter till the combination resembles coarse pea-sized crumbs. Add the water and stir till the flour is moistened. Add 1–2 extra Tablespoons of water if the dough appears dry. Flip the dough out onto a evenly floured work floor and, utilizing your arms, work the dough right into a ball. Flatten it right into a thick disc. Wrap the dough disc in plastic wrap or parchment paper and refrigerate it for at the very least 2 hours, and as much as 3 days.
- Make the crumble topping: In a medium bowl, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and walnuts. Utilizing a silicone spatula, stir within the melted butter. The topping might be thick and crumbly. Place it within the fridge whilst you proceed.
- Roll out the chilled pie dough: On a floured work floor, roll out the disc of chilled dough. Flip the dough a couple of quarter flip after each few rolls till you have got a circle 12 inches in diameter. Fastidiously place the dough right into a 9-inch pie dish. Tuck it in along with your fingers, ensuring it’s clean. Use a small paring knife to trim extra dough off the sides. Flute the pie crust edges and brush them with egg wash. Place the pie crust within the fridge.
- Make the filling: In a big bowl utilizing a silicone spatula or picket spoon, mix the apples, sugar, flour, lemon juice, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and vanilla extract, stirring till the apples are all coated.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Place a baking sheet on the underside oven rack to catch any juices that will bubble over.
- Spoon the apple filling into the crust, ensuring there aren’t any giant gaps between the slices. It’s loads of filling! Sprinkle the chilly crumb topping evenly excessive of the apples.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Add a pie crust defend to forestall the sides from browning too shortly, and scale back the oven temperature to 375°F (191°C). Bake for a further 35 to 45 minutes or till the crust is golden brown and juices are effervescent across the edges. If wanted towards the top of bake time, take away the pie crust defend and tent a big piece of aluminum foil over the whole pie if the crumb topping is getting too brown.
- Permit the pie to chill for at the very least 3 full hours at room temperature earlier than serving. This time permits the filling to thicken up. Serve with vanilla ice cream and salted caramel sauce, if desired. Cowl leftover pie and retailer within the fridge for as much as 5 days.
Notes
- Make Forward & Freezing Directions: This an amazing pie to make 1 day prematurely—after it cools, cowl tightly and maintain at room temperature. The pie crust dough will also be ready forward of time and saved within the fridge for as much as 5 days or within the freezer for as much as 3 months. Baked and cooled pie freezes effectively for as much as 3 months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge and permit to return to room temperature earlier than serving. Ready filling may be frozen for as much as 3 months; thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than utilizing.
- Particular Instruments (affiliate hyperlinks): Glass Mixing Bowls | Silicone Spatula or Wood Spoon | Pastry Cutter | Rolling Pin | 9-inch Pie Dish | Pastry Brush | Apple Peeler | Pie Crust Defend | Cooling Rack
- Apples: You want about 8 giant apples. Peel then slice apples in a uniform thickness, about 1/4 inch thick. You don’t need some stable apples and a few skinny, mushy apples. For greatest taste, use quite a lot of apples corresponding to Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji, and/or Pink Woman. For those who’re , take a look at this publish: Right here Are the Greatest Apples for Baking.
- Aluminum Foil Pie Crust Defend: You should purchase a pie crust defend or make one from aluminum foil. Minimize a 14-inch sq. of aluminum foil. Fold in half. Minimize out a 5-inch semi-circle on the folded edge. Unfold. Fastidiously match the aluminum foil over the pie crust edges, securing down on the edges as greatest you may (cautious, the pie is sizzling!), leaving the middle of the pie uncovered.
- Replace in 2025: After a decade of baking this pie, we’ve made just a few small enhancements. The unique model used half of a double-crust pie dough, fewer apples (8–10 cups), and a couple of Tbsp lemon juice. The up to date recipe now makes use of a single all-butter pie crust, barely extra apples, and fewer lemon juice. For those who desire the unique technique, make this pie crust recipe (saving the second half for an additional pie), scale back apples to eight–10 cups, and enhance the lemon juice to 2 Tbsp.
